Histories

As he sprang upon his horse, the cap fell off the sheath of his sword, and the naked blade pierced his thigh, wounding him in the same place where he had once wounded the Egyptian god Apis; and believing the wound to be mortal, Cambyses asked what was the name of the town where he was.

They told him it was +Hamadan [48.583,34.766] (inhabited place), Hamadan, Iran, Asia Ecbatana. Now a prophecy had before this come to him from +Kawm al-Farain [30.733,31.2] (deserted settlement), Kafr ash-Shaykh, Lower Egypt, Egypt, Africa Buto, that he would end his life at +Hamadan [48.583,34.766] (inhabited place), Hamadan, Iran, Asia Ecbatana; Cambyses supposed this to signify that he would die in old age at the Median +Hamadan [48.583,34.766] (inhabited place), Hamadan, Iran, Asia Ecbatana, his capital city; but as the event proved, the oracle prophesied his death at +Hamadan [48.583,34.766] (inhabited place), Hamadan, Iran, Asia Ecbatana of +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria.

So when he now inquired and learned the name of the town, the shock of his wound, and of the misfortune that came to him from the Magus, brought him to his senses; he understood the prophecy and said: “Here Cambyses son of Cyrus is to die.”

At this time he said no more. But about twenty days later, he sent for the most prominent of the Persians that were about him, and thus addressed them: “Persians, I have to make known to you something which I kept most strictly concealed.

When I was in Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt I had a dream, which I wish I had not had; it seemed to me that a messenger came from home to tell me that Smerdis sitting on the royal throne touched heaven with his head.

Then I feared that my brother would take away my sovereignty from me, and I acted with more haste than wisdom; for it is not in the power of human nature to run away from what is to be; but I, blind as I was, sent Prexaspes to Shush [48.333,32.2] (inhabited place), Khuzestan, Iran, AsiaSusa to kill Smerdis. When that great wrong was done I lived without fear, for I never thought that when Smerdis was removed another man might rise against me.

But I mistook altogether what was to be; I have killed my brother when there was no need, and I have lost my kingdom none the less; for it was the Magus Smerdis that the divinity forewarned in the dream would revolt.