And yet the whole of this enormous empire was governed by the mind and will of a single man, Cyrus: his subjects he cared for and cherished as a father might care for his children, and they who came beneath his rule reverenced him like a father.
[2] But no sooner was he dead than his sons were at strife, cities and nations revolted, and all things began to decay.

I can show that what I say is true, and first I will speak of their impiety.

In the early days, I am aware, the king and those beneath him never failed to keep the oaths they had sworn and fulfil the promises they had given, even to the worst of criminals.

[3] In fact, if such had not been their character and such their reputation, none of the Hellenic generals who marched up with the younger Cyrus could have felt the confidence they did: they would not have trusted a Persian any more than one trusts them to-day, now that their perfidy is known.

As it was, they relied on their old reputation and put themselves in their power, and many were taken up to the king and there beheaded.