and beginning with Achaimenes he traced the descent of
Cyrus on the father's side, and then, when he came down to Cyrus, he
related at last what great benefits he had conferred upon the Persians;
and having gone through this recital he proceeded to declare the truth,
saying that formerly he kept it secret, since it was not safe for him
to tell of that which had been done, but at the present time he was
compelled to make it known. He proceeded to say how he had himself slain
Smerdis the son of Cyrus, being compelled by Cambyses, and that it was
the Magians who were now ruling. Then he made imprecation of many evils
on the Persians, if they did not win back again the power and take
vengeance upon the Magians, and upon that he let himself fall down from
the tower head foremost. Thus Prexaspes ended his life, having been
throughout his time a man of repute.

76. Now the seven of the Persians, when they had resolved forthwith to
lay hands upon the Magians and not to delay, made prayer to the gods
and went, knowing nothing of that which had been done with regard
to Prexaspes: and as they were going and were in the middle of their
course, they heard that which had happened about Prexaspes. Upon that
they retired out of the way and again considered with themselves, Otanes
and his supporters strongly urging that they should delay and not set to
the work when things were thus disturbed, 66 while Dareios and those of
his party urged that they should go forthwith and do that which had been
resolved, and not delay. Then while they were contending, there appeared
seven pairs of hawks pursuing two pairs of vultures, plucking out
their feathers and tearing them. Seeing this the seven all approved
the opinion of Dareios and thereupon they went to the king's palace,
encouraged by the sight of the birds.

77. When they appeared at the gates, it happened nearly as Dareios
supposed, for the guards, having respect for men who were chief among
the Persians, and not suspecting that anything would be done by them of
the kind proposed, allowed them to pass in under the guiding of heaven,
and none asked them any question. Then when they had passed into the
court, they met the eunuchs who bore in the messages to the king; and
these inquired of them for what purpose they had come, and at the same
time they threatened with punishment the keepers of the gates for having
let them pass in, and tried to stop the seven when they attempted to
go forward