Histories

So this proclamation was made everywhere. The herald appointed to go to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, finding Cambyses and his army at +Hamadan [48.583,34.766] (inhabited place), Hamadan, Iran, Asia Ecbatana in +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria, came out before them all and proclaimed the message given him by the Magus.

When Cambyses heard what the herald said, he supposed that it was the truth, and that Prexaspes, when sent to kill Smerdis, had not done it but had played Cambyses false; and he said, fixing his eyes on Prexaspes, “Is it thus, Prexaspes, that you carried out my instructions?”

“No,” said Prexaspes, “this is not true, sire, that your brother Smerdis has rebelled against you; he cannot have any quarrel with you, small or great; I myself did as you instructed, and I buried him with my own hands.