g way to the most violent anger
if any of his subjects (and he knew no human beings who were not his
subjects) dared to oppose him.

His father Cyrus, conqueror of half the world--the man whose genius
had raised Persia from a small nation to the summit of earthly
greatness--who had secured for himself the reverence and admiration of
countless subjugated tribes--this great king was incapable of carrying
out in his own small family-circle the system of education he had so
successfully adopted towards entire countries. He could see nought else
in Cambyses but the future king of Persia, and commanded his subjects to
pay him an unquestioning obedience, entirely forgetful of the fact that
he who is to govern well must begin by learning to obey.

Cambyses had been the first-born son of Kassandane, the wife whom Cyrus
had loved and married young; three daughters followed, and at last,
fifteen years later, Bartja had come into the world. Their eldest son
had already outgrown his parents' caresses, when this little child
appeared to engross all their care and love. His gentle, affectionate
and clinging nature made him the darling of both father and mother:
Cambyses was treated with consideration by his parents, but their love
was for Bartja. Cambyses was brave; he distinguished himself often in
the field, but his disposition was haughty and imperious; men served him
with fear and trembling, while Bartja, ever sociable and sympathizing,
converted all his companions into loving friends. As to the mass of
the people, they feared the king, and trembled when he drew near,
notwithstanding the lavish manner in which he showered rich gifts around
him; but they loved Bartja, and believed they saw in him the image of
the great Cyrus the "Father of his people."

Cambyses knew well that all this love, so freely given to Bartja, was
not to be bought. He did not hate his younger brother, but he felt
annoyed that a youth who had as yet done nothing to distinguish himself,
should be honored and revered as if he were already a hero and public
benefactor. Whatever annoyed or displeased him he considered must be
wrong; where he disapproved he did not spare his censures, and from his
very childhood, Cambyses' reproofs had been dreaded even by the mighty.

The enthusiastic shouts of the populace, the overflowing love of his
mother and sister, and above all, the warm encomiums expressed by
Nitetis, had excited a jealousy which his pride had never a