Page:Herodotus and the Empires of the East.djvu/106

100, consists of three things—i.e., to ride the horse, to shoot the bow, and to speak the truth. (I., 136.) Herodotus further relates that to tell a lie is considered among them the greatest disgrace. (I., 138.) The Behistan inscription amply proves the apparent contempt of the Persian for deceit. "It was a lie," says Darius, "that made the provinces rebellious." (Bh., I., 10; IV., 4.) "Gaumāta the Magian deceived the state." (Bh., I., n.) So over the prostrate forms of the rebels is written: "This is A: he lied; this he said." (See p. 88.)