368 XENOPHON
Cyrus himself fell, and eight of his bravest compan- ions lay on the top of him. The story says that Ar- tapates, the trustiest esquire among his wand-bearers, when he saw that Cyrus had fallen to the ground, leapt from his horse and threw his arms about him. Then, as one account says, the king bade one slay him as a worthy victim to his brother ; others say that Artapates drew his scimitar and slew himself by his own hand. A golden scimitar it is true he had ; he wore also a collar and bracelets and the other orna- ments such as the noblest Persians wear ; for his kindliness and fidelity had won him honors at the hand of Cyrus.
So died Cyrus — a man the kingliest and most worthy to rule of all the Persians who have lived since the elder Cyrus, according to the concurrent testimony of all who are reputed to have known him intimately.
THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE SEA
From the Anabasis, Book IV. vii. §§ 19-27.
Passing on from thence in four stages of twenty parasangs, they reached a large and prosperous well- populated city, which went by the name of Gymnias, from which the governor of the country sent them a guide to lead them through a district hostile to his own. This guide told them that within five days he would lead them to a place from which they would see the sea, " and," he added, " if I fail of my word, you are free to take my life." Accordingly he put himself at their head ; but he no sooner set foot in the country hostile to himself than he fell to encour- aging them to burn and harry the land ; indeed his exhortations were so earnest, it was plain that it was
