He was probably led to make the suggestion by his knowledge of the resemblance borne by this person to the murdered prince, which was sufficiently close to make personation possible.

Cambyses was thus enabled to appreciate the gravity of the crisis, and to consider whether he could successfully contend with it or no.

Apparently, he decided in the negative.

Believing that he could not triumph over the conspiracy which had decreed his downfall, and unwilling to descend to a private station--perhaps even uncertain whether his enemies would spare his life--he resolved to fly to the last refuge of a dethroned king, and to end all by suicide.

Drawing his short sword from its sheath, he gave himself a wound, of which he died in a few days.
It is certainly surprising that the king formed this resolution.