IV.THE BODY-GUARD OF XERXES.
102.A tliousand foot soldiers used to follow Xerxes, the king of the Persians, the bravest and most noble of the Persians, carrying their spears erect: then another thousand horsemen selected from the Persians: and after the horsemen, ten thousand infantry picked from the rest of the Persians: of whom one thousand had golden pomegranates on their spears instead of points at the end, and surrounded the rest; but the nine thousand who were within them had silver pomegranates. Those also who carried their lances turned to the ground had golden pomegranates; and those who followed Xerxes most closely had golden apples.
V.A WEALTHY SUBJECT.
His offers to the King.
103.Formerly a certain Pythius received Xerxes while travelling through Asia with a magnificent feast, and promised him money. And when he offered the money Xerxes asked his attendants: ‘Pray who (of men) is Pythius, and how great riches has he?’ To whom the former replied, ‘This is the same man, King, who gave thy father Darius a golden plane tree and a golden vine for a present; and he is the most wealthy of all men whom we know, after thee.’ The king wondering, then said himself to Pythius: ‘How great wealth hast thou?’ Then said Pythius, ‘I have two thousand talents of a silver, and also a very great quantity of gold. I give thee this money: for I have sufficient means of livelihood from my slaves and lands.’
A kingly recompense.
104.When these things had been said by him, Xerxes being delighted replied: ‘Pythius, I have found no man but thee offering such things. Thou indeed hast received me splendidly, and art offering me much money. Therefore, I in turn give thee these gifts: I place thee among the number of my friends, and also give thee a great weight of gold. But continue to hold what thou hast acquired, and always show thyself (to be) such a man (as thou art now). If thou doest this, neither now, nor in the future, wilt thou be ashamed (of it).
