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although the Scythians are reckoned by their myriads； has ever
succeeded in dominating a foreign nation； indeed the Scythian would be
well content could he but keep his government unbroken over his own
tribe and people。 The same is true of the Thracians and the Illyrians；
and indeed of all other nations within our ken； in Europe； at any
rate； their condition is even now one of independence； and of such
separation as would seem to be permanent。 Now this was the state in
which Cyrus found the tribes and peoples of Asia when； at the head of
a small Persian force； he started on his career。 The Medes and the
Hyrcanians accepted his leadership willingly； but it was through
conquest that he won Syria； Assyria； Arabia； Cappadocia； the two
Phrygias； Lydia； Caria； Phoenicia； and Babylonia。 Then he established
his rule over the Bactrians； Indians； and Cilicians； over the Sakians；
Paphlagonians； and Magadidians； over a host of other tribes the very
names of which defy the memory of the chronicler； and last of all he
brought the Hellenes in Asia beneath his sway； and by a descent on the
seaboard Cyprus and Egypt also。
＇5＇ It is obvious that among this congeries of nations few； if any；
could have spoken the same language as himself； or understood one
another； but none the less Cyrus was able so to penetrate that vast
extent of country by the sheer terror of his personality that the
inhabitants were prostrate before him： not one of them dared lift hand
against him。 And yet he was able； at the same time； to inspire them
all with so deep a desire to please him and win his favour that all
they asked was to be guided by his judgment and his alone。 Thus he
knit to himself a complex of nationalities so vast that it would have
taxed a man's endurance merely to traverse his empire in any one
direction； east or west or south or north； from the palace which was
its centre。 For ourselves； considering his title to our admiration
proved； we set ourselves to inquire what his parentage might have been
and his natural parts； and how he was trained and brought up to attain
so high a pitch of excellence in the government of men。 And all we
could learn from others about him or felt we might infer for ourselves
we will here endeavour to set forth。
＇C。2＇ The father of Cyrus； so runs the story； was Cambyses； a king of
the Persians； and one of the Perseidae； who look to Perseus as the
founder of their race。 His mother； it is agreed； was Mandane； the
daughter of Astyages； king of the Medes。 Of Cyrus himself； even now in
the songs and stories of the East the record lives that nature made
him most fair to look upon； and set in his heart the threefold love of
man； of knowledge； and of honour。 He would endure all labours； he
would undergo all dangers； for the sake of glory。 ＇2＇ Blest by nature
with such gifts of soul and body； his memory lives to this day in the
mindful heart of ages。 It is true that he was brought up according to
the laws and customs of the Persians； and of these laws it must be
noted that while they aim； as laws elsewhere； at the common weal；
their guiding principle is far other than that which most nations
follow。 Most states permit their citizens to bring up their own
children at their own discretion； and allow the grown men to regulate
their own lives at their own will； and then they lay down certain
prohibitions； for example； not to pick and steal； not to break into
another man's house； not to strike a man unjustly； not to commit
adultery； not to disobey the magistrate； and so forth； and on the
transgressor they impose a penalty。 ＇3＇ But the Persian laws try； as
it were； to steal a march on time； to make their citizens from the
beginning incapable of setting their hearts on any wickedness or
shameful conduct whatsoever。 And this is how they set about their
object。
In their cities they have an open place or square dedicated to Freedom
（Free Square they call it）； where stand the palace and other public
buildings。 From this place all goods for sale are rigidly excluded；
and all hawkers and hucksters with their yells and cries and
vulgarities。 They must go elsewhere； so that their clamour may not
mingle with and mar the grace and orderliness of the educated classes。
＇4＇ This square； where the public buildings stand； is divided into
four quarters which are assigned as follows： one for the boys； another
for the youths； a third for the grown men； and the last for those who
are past the age of military service。 The law requires all the
citizens to present themselves at certain times and seasons in their
appointed places。 The lads and the grown men must be there at
daybreak； the elders may； as a rule； choose their own time； except on
certain fixed days； when they too are expected to present themselves
like the rest。 Moreover； the young men are bound to sleep at night
round the public buildings； with their arms at their side； only the
married men among them are exempt； and need not be on duty at night
unless notice has been given； though even in their case frequent
absence is thought unseemly。 ＇5＇ Over each of these divisions are
placed twelve governors； twelve being the number of the Persian
tribes。 The governors of the boys are chosen from the elders； and
those are appointed who are thought best fitted to make the best of
their lads： the governors of the youths are selected from the grown
men； and on the same principle； and for the grown men themselves and
their own governors； the choice falls on those who will； it is hoped；
make them most prompt to carry out their appointed duties； and fulfil
the commands imposed by the supreme authority。 Finally； the elders
themselves have presidents of their own； chosen to see that they too
perform their duty to the full。
＇6＇ We will now describe the services demanded from the different
classes； and thus it will appear how the Persians endeavour to improve
their citizens。 The boys go to school and give their time to learning
justice and righteousness： they will tell you they come for that
purpose； and the phrase is as natural with them as it is for us to
speak of lads learning their letters。 The masters spend the chief part
of the day in deciding cases for their pupils： for in this boy…world；
as in the grown…up world without； occasions of indictment are never
far to seek。 There will be charges； we know； of picking and stealing；
of violence； of fraud； of calumny； and so forth。 The case is heard and
the offender； if shown to be guilty； is punished。 ＇7＇ Nor does he
escape who is found to have accused one of his fellows unfairly。 And
there is one charge the judges do not hesitate to deal with； a charge
which is the source of much hatred among grown men； but which they
seldom press in the courts； the charge of ingratitude。 The culprit
convicted of refusing to repay a debt of kindness when it was fully in
his power meets with severe chastisement。 They reason that the
ungrateful man is the most likely to forget his duty to the gods； to
his parents； to his fatherland； and his friends。 Shamelessness； they
hold； treads close on the heels of ingratitude； and thus ingratitude
is the ringleader and chief instigator to eve