being kept
secret, and that there were but few of the Persians who were aware of
it, while the greater number believed without doubt that he was still
alive. Therefore he endeavoured to obtain the kingdom, and he formed his
plan as follows:--he had a brother (that one who, as I said, rose up
with him against Cambyses), and this man in form very closely resembled
Smerdis the son of Cyrus, whom Cambyses had slain, being his own
brother. He was like Smerdis, I say, in form, and not only so but he had
the same name, Smerdis. Having persuaded this man that he would manage
everything for him, the Magian Patizeithes brought him and seated him
upon the royal throne: and having so done he sent heralds about to
the various provinces, and among others one to the army in Egypt, to
proclaim to them that they must obey Smerdis the son of Cyrus for the
future instead of Cambyses.

62. So then the other heralds made this proclamation, and also the
one who was appointed to go to Egypt, finding Cambyses and his army at
Agbatana in Syria, stood in the midst and began to proclaim that which
had been commanded to him by the Magian. Hearing this from the herald,
and supposing that the herald was speaking the truth and that he had
himself been betrayed by Prexaspes, that is to say, that when Prexaspes
was sent to kill Smerdis he had not done so, Cambyses looked upon
Prexaspes and said: "Prexaspes, was it thus that thou didst perform for
me the thing which I gave over to thee to do?" and he said: "Master, the
saying is not true that Smerdis thy brother has risen up against thee,
nor that thou wilt have any contention arising from him, either great or
small: for I myself, having done that which thou didst command me to do,
buried him with my own hands. If therefore the dead have risen again to
life, then thou mayest expect that Astyages also the Mede will rise up
against thee; but if it is as it was beforetime, there is no fear
now that any trouble shall spring up for you, at least from him. Now
therefore I think it well that some should pursue after the herald and
examine him, asking from whom he has come to proclaim to us that we are
to obey Smerdis as king."

63. When Prexaspes had thus spoken, Cambyses was pleased with the
advice, and accordingly the herald was pursued forthwith and returned.
Then when he had come back, Prexaspes asked him as follows: "Man, thou
sayest that thou art come as a messenger from Smerdis the son of Cyrus:
now