crossed the boundary. And when they
were across, they prayed once more that the gods of Media might receive
them graciously, and when they had done this they embraced each other,
as father and son will, and Cambyses turned back to his own city, but
Cyrus went forward again, to his uncle Cyaxares in the land of Media.
[2] And when his journey was done and he was face to face with him and
they had greeted each other as kinsmen may, then Cyaxares asked
the prince how great an armament he had brought with him? And Cyrus
answered, "I have 30,000 with me, men who have served with you before as
mercenaries; and more are coming on behind, fresh troops, from the Peers
of Persia."

"How many of those?" asked Cyaxares. [3] And Cyrus answered, "Their
numbers will not please you, but remember these Peers of ours, though
they are few, find it easy to rule the rest of the Persians, who are
many. But now," he added, "have you any need of us at all? Perhaps
it was only a false alarm that troubled you, and the enemy are not
advancing?"

"Indeed they are," said the other, "and in full force."

[4] "How do you know?" asked Cyrus.

"Because," said he, "many deserters come to us, and all of them, in one
fashion or another, tell the same tale."

"Then we must give battle?" said Cyrus.

"Needs must," Cyaxares replied.

"Well," answered Cyrus, "but you have not told me yet how great their
power is, or our own either. I want to hear, if you can tell me, so that
we may make our plans."

"Listen, then," said Cyaxares. [5] "Croesus the Lydian is coming, we
hear, with 10,000 horse and more than 40,000 archers and targeteers.
Artamas the governor of Greater Phrygia is bringing, they say, 8000
horse, and lancers and targeteers also, 40,000 strong. Then there is
Aribaius the king of Cappadocia with 6000 horse and 30,000 archers
and targeteers. And Aragdus the Arabian with 10,000 horse, a hundred
chariots, and innumerable slingers. As for the Hellenes who dwell in
Asia, it is not clear as yet whether they will send a following or not.
But the Phrygians from the Hellespont, we are told, are mustering in the
Caystrian plain under Gabaidus, 6000 horse and 40,000 targeteers. Word
has been sent to the Carians, Cilicians, and Paphlagonians, but it is
said they will not rise; the Lord of Assyria and Babylon will himself,
I believe, bring not less than 20,000 horse, and I make no doubt as many
as 200 chariots, and thousands upon thousands of men on f