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.

When Cyrus and his men had finished dinner and stationed guards, as was necessary, they went to rest. As for Croesus and his army, they fled straight towards Sardis, while the other contingents got away, each man as far as he could under cover of the night on his way toward home.

When daylight came, Cyrus led his army[*](The capture of Sardis) straight on against Sardis. And as soon as he came up to the walls of the city, he set up his engines as if intending to assault it and made ready his scaling ladders.

But though he did this, in the course of the following night he sent some Chaldaeans and Persians to climb up by what was considered the most precipitous side of the Sardian citadel. The way was shown them by a Persian who had been the slave of one of the guards of the acropolis and had discovered a way down to the river and up again by the same route.

When it became known that the citadel was taken, all the Lydians immediately fled from the walls to whatever part of the city they could. And Cyrus at daybreak entered the city and gave orders that not a man of his should stir from his post.

But Croesus shut himself up in his palace and called for Cyrus. Cyrus, however, left behind a guard to watch Croesus, while he himself drew off his army to the citadel now in his possession; for he saw that the Persians were holding guard over it, as it was[*](The Chaldaeans’ breach of discipline) their duty to do, but that the quarters of the Chaldaeans were deserted, for they had run down into the city to get plunder from the houses. He at once called their officers together and told them to leave his army with all speed.

For said he, I could not endure to see men who are guilty of insubordination better off than others. And let me tell you, he added, that I was getting ready to make you Chaldaeans who have been helping in my campaigns objects of envy in the eyes of all other Chaldaeans; but, as it is, you need not be surprised if some one who is your superior in strength should fall in with you, even as you go away.

When they heard this, the Chaldaeans were afraid; they besought him to lay aside his wrath and promised to give up their plunder. But he said he did not want it. But said he, if you wish[*](Good discipline rewarded) me to forget my displeasure, surrender all that you have taken to those who have not relaxed their guard of the citadel. For if the rest of the soldiers find out that those who have been obedient to orders are better off than the rest, everything will be as I wish.

The Chaldaeans, accordingly, did as Cyrus bade; and the obedient received a large amount of spoil of every description. And Cyrus encamped his men in that part of the city where he deemed it most convenient, ordering them to stay in their quarters and take luncheon there.

When he had attended to this, he ordered[*](Croesus before Cyrus) Croesus to be brought before him. And when Croesus saw Cyrus, he said: I salute you, my sovereign lord; for fortune grants that henceforth you should bear this title and I address you by it.

And I you, Croesus; for we are both men. But, Croesus, he added, would you be willing to give me a bit of advice? Aye, Cyrus, said he; I wish I could find something of practical value to say to you. For that, I think, would prove good for me as well.

Listen, then, Croesus, said he. I observe that my soldiers have gone through many toils and dangers and now are thinking that they are in possession of the richest city in Asia, next to Babylon; and I think that they deserve some reward. For I know that if they do not reap some fruit of their labours, I shall not be able to keep them in obedience very long. Now, I do not wish to abandon the city[*](Cyrus proposes to spare Sardis) to them to plunder; for I believe that then the city would be destroyed, and I am sure that in the pillaging the worst men would get the largest share.