Cyropaedia

And Cyrus, filled with admiration for their[*](He spares the Egyptians) conduct and moved to pity for them that men as brave as they were should be slain, drew off all those who were fighting around the ring and allowed no one to fight any more. Then he sent a herald to them to ask whether they all wished to die for those who had treacherously deserted them or to save their lives and at the same time be accounted brave men. How could we save our lives, they answered, and at the same time be accounted brave men?

You can,Cyrus replied, because we are witnesses that you are the only ones who stood your ground and were willing to fight. Well, answered the Egyptians, granting that, what can we do consistently with honour to save our lives? You could surrender your arms, Cyrus answered again, and become friends of those who choose to save you, when it is in their power to destroy you.

And if we become your friends, they asked on hearing that, how will you see fit to deal with us?I will do you favours and expect favours from you, answered Cyrus. What sort of favours? asked the Egyptians in turn.As long as the war continues, Cyrus made[*](and wins their allegiance) answer to this, I would give you larger pay than you were now receiving; and when peace is made, to those of you who care to stay with me I will give lands and cities and wives and servants.

On hearing this, the Egyptians begged to be excused from taking part in any campaign against Croesus, for with him alone, they said, they were acquainted; all other stipulations they accepted, and gave and received pledges of good faith.

And the Egyptians who then stayed in the country have continued loyal subjects to the king even unto this day; and Cyrus gave them cities, some in the interior, which even to this day are called Egyptian cities, and besides these Larissa and Cyllene near Cyme on the coast; and their descendants dwell there even unto this day. When he had accomplished this, it was already dark; and Cyrus led back his forces and encamped in Thymbrara.

The Egyptians were the only ones of all the[*](Observations on the battle) enemy that distinguished themselves in the battle, while of those under Cyrus the Persian cavalry seemed to be the most efficient. And therefore the equipment which Cyrus had then provided for his cavalry continues in use even to our own times.

The scythe-bearing chariots also won extraordinary distinction, so that this military device also has been retained even to our day by each successive king.

The camels, however, did nothing more than frighten the horses; their riders could neither kill any one nor be killed by any of the enemy’s cavalry, for not a horse would come near them.

What they did do seemed useful enough; but be that as it may, no gentleman is willing to keep a camel for riding or to practise for fighting in war upon one. And so they have again taken their proper position and do service among the pack-animals.