Histories

There never was in Darius' judgment any Persian before or after who did better service than Zopyrus, except Cyrus, with whom no Persian could compare himself. Many times Darius is said to have declared that he would rather Zopyrus were free of disfigurement than have twenty Babylons on top of the one he had.

He honored him very much; every year he sent him such gifts as the Persians hold most precious, and let him govern Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, AsiaBabylon all his life with no tribute to pay, giving him many other things besides. This Zopyrus was the father of Megabyzus, who was general of an army in Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt against the Athenians and their allies; and Megabyzus' son was that Zopyrus who deserted from the Persians to Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens.

After taking Babylon [44.4,32.55] (deserted settlement), Babil, Iraq, AsiaBabylon, Darius himself marched against the Scythians. For since Asia (continent)Asia was bursting with men and vast revenues were coming in, Darius desired to punish the Scythians for the wrong they had begun when they invaded Media first and defeated those who opposed them in battle.

For the Scythians, as I have said before, ruled upper Asia (continent)Asia [*](That is, the eastern highlands of the Persian empire.) for twenty-eight years; they invaded Asia (continent)Asia in their pursuit of the Cimmerians, and ended the power of the Medes, who were the rulers of Asia (continent)Asia before the Scythians came.