Gaza in Syria; Memphis and Thebes in Egypt; Cyrene
and Barca in the Cyrenaica. Of these, while Susa had from the time of
Darius Hystaspis a decided pre-eminence as the main residence of the
court, and consequently as the usual seat of government, there were
three others which could boast the distinction of being royal abodes
from time to time, either regularly at certain seasons, or occasionally
at the caprice of the monarch. These were Babylon, Ecbatana, and
Persepolis, the capitals respectively of Chaldaea, Media, and Persia
Proper, all great and ancient cities, accustomed to the presence of
Courts, and all occupying positions sufficiently central to render them
not ill-suited for the business of administration. Next to these in
order of dignity may be classed the satrapial residences, often the
chief cities of old monarchies, such as Sardis, the capital city of
Lydia, Dascyleium of Bithynia, Memphis of Egypt, Bactra of Bactria, and
the like; while the third rank was held by the towns, where there was no
Court, either royal or satrapial.

Before this chapter is concluded a few words must be said with respect
to the countries which bordered upon the Persian Empire. The Empire
was surrounded, for the most part, either by seas or deserts. The
Mediterranean, the Egean, the Propontis, the Euxine, the Caspian, the
Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Gulf or Bed Sea washed
its shores, bounding almost all its western, and much of its northern
and southern sides; while the sands of the Sahara, the deserts of
Arabia and Syria of India and Thibet, filled up the greater part of the
intervening spaces. The only countries of importance which can be viewed
as in any sense neighbors of Persia are European and Asiatic Scythia,
Hindustan, Arabia, Ethiopia, and Greece.

Where the Black Sea, curving round to the north, ceased to furnish to
the Empire the advantage of a water barrier, a protection of almost
equal strength was afforded to it by the mountain-chain of the Caucasus.
Excepting on the extreme east, where it slopes gently to the Caspian,
this range is one of great elevation, possessing but few passes, and
very difficult to traverse. Its fastnesses have always been inhabited by
wild tribes, jealous of their freedom; and these tribes may have caused
annoyance, but they could at no time have been a serious danger to
the Empire. They were weak in numbers, divided in nationality and in
interests, and quite incapable of