Book 5
2.25
Then he began as follows: Tell me, then, said he, does the Assyrian king believe that you are the only ones who are hostile to him, or do you know of any one else who is his enemy?Yes, by Zeus, said the Hyrcanian; the Cadusians,Cyrus aims to effect a combination with other enemies of Assyria a large and powerful nation, are most bitter enemies of his; and so are our neighbours, the Sacians, for they have suffered very severely at his hands; for he attempted to subjugate them just as he did us.
2.26
Well then, said he, do you think that these two nations would like to join us in an attack upon the Assyrian? Yes, they answered, and right eagerly, if they could find a way to combine their forces with ours. And what is to hinder such a union of forces? asked Cyrus.The Assyrians, they answered, the same nation, through whose country you are now marching.
2.27
But, Gobryas, said Cyrus, when he heard this, do you not accuse this young fellow who has just come to the throne of cruel insolence of character? That judgment, I think, said Gobryas, is warranted by my experience with him. Pray, are you the only man towards whom he has acted in this way, Cyrus asked, or are there others also?
