And many of the Asiatics who served in the same war perished as they did, deluded by one promise or another.
[4] In other ways also the Persians have degenerated.

Noble achievement in the old days was the avenue to fame: the man was honoured who risked his life for the king, or brought a city or nation beneath his sway.

But now, if some Mithridates has betrayed his father Ariobarzanes, or some Reomithres has left his wife and children and the sons of his friend as hostages at the court of Egypt, and then has broken the most solemn of all pledges--it is they and their like who are loaded with the highest honours, if only they are thought to have gained some advantage for the king.

[5] With such examples before them, all the Asiatics have turned to injustice and impiety.

For what the leaders are, that, as a rule, will the men below them be.