Histories

then reflecting he recalled the Babylonian's word at the beginning of the siege—that the city would be taken when mules gave birth—and having this utterance in mind he conceived that Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, AsiaBabylon might be taken; for the hand of heaven, he supposed, was in the man's word and the birth from his own mule.

As soon as he thought that it was Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, AsiaBabylon's fate to fall, he came and inquired of Darius if taking Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, AsiaBabylon were very important to him; and when he was assured that it was, he then cast about for a plan by which the city's fall would be accomplished by him alone; for good service among the Persians is very much esteemed, and rewarded by high preferment.