and the Persians to do that which ought to be done."

156. Having thus enjoined he proceeded to go to the gate of the
city, turning to look behind him as he went, as if he were in truth a
deserter; and those who were set in that part of the wall, seeing him
from the towers ran down, and slightly opening one wing of the gate
asked who he was, and for what purpose he had come. And he addressed
them and said that he was Zopyros, and that he came as a deserter to
them. The gate-keepers accordingly when they heard this led him to the
public assembly of the Babylonians; and being introduced before it he
began to lament his fortunes, saying that he had in fact suffered at his
own hands, and that he had suffered this because he had counselled the
king to withdraw his army, since in truth there seemed to be no means of
taking the town: "And now," he went on to say, "I am come for very great
good to you, O Babylonians, but for very great evil to Dareios and
his army, and to the Persians, 134 for he shall surely not escape with
impunity for having thus maltreated me; and I know all the courses of
his counsels."

157. Thus he spoke, and the Babylonians, when they saw the man of most
reputation among the Persians deprived of nose and ears and smeared over
with blood from scourging, supposing assuredly that he was speaking the
truth and had come to be their helper, were ready to put in his power
that for which he asked them, and he asked them that he might command
a certain force. Then when he had obtained this from them, he did that
which he had agreed with Dareios that he would do; for he led out on
the tenth day the army of the Babylonians, and having surrounded the
thousand men whom he had enjoined Dareios first to set there, he slew
them. The Babylonians accordingly, perceiving that the deeds which he
displayed were in accordance with his words, were very greatly rejoiced
and were ready to serve him in all things: and after the lapse of the
days which had been agreed upon, he again chose men of the Babylonians
and led them out and slew the two thousand men of the troops of Dareios.
Seeing this deed also, the Babylonians all had the name of Zopyros upon
their tongues, and were loud in his praise. He then again, after the
lapse of the days which had been agreed upon, led them out to the place
appointed, and surrounded the four thousand and slew them. When this
also had been done, Zopyros was everything among the Babylonians, and h