A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

2. A groom of Dareius Hystaspis. According to Herodotus, when the seven conspirators, after slaying Smerdis, had decided on the continuance of monareny, they agreed to ride forth togetner at sunrise, and to acknowledge as king any one of their number whose horse should be the first to neigh. Oebares, by a stratagem, caused the horse of Dareius to neigh before the rest, and thus secured the throne for his master. (Hdt. 3.84-87.)