Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/31

 the soothsayers answered, after Croesus had been already captured, but (being) themselves ignorant of (that) event. 82.Cyrus, having subdued the whole continent of lower Asia to his power, attacked the Assyrians, Now there are many other distinguished Assyrian towns, and Babylon, the most celebrated and best fortified of alL Moreover, its walls were two hundred feet high each. When Cyrus began to approach nearer the city, the Babylonians fought in a battle with him; but being defeated, they were driven back into the city. Then Cyrus, having turned the course of the stream, entered the city by the channel of the Euphrates, without the knowledge of the inhabitants. Now Babylon was taken in the reign of Labynetus.

83.In the river Araxes are many islands. The people who live in these feed on roots of every kind in the summer. Moreover, they keep the fruits of the trees, and live on them in the winter. They throw into the fire a certain (kind of ) fruit; they become intoxicated with the odour of these, as the Greeks do with wine: but when a greater quantity of the fruit has been burnt, they become more intoxicated: at length they rise for dancing and singing. Such is their way of living.

84.At that time the empire of the Massagetae was in the power of a woman; the king, dying, had left her a widow. Tomyris was the queen’s name. Cyrus having sent ambassadors, wished to betroth her to himself, desiring to have her in marriage. Tomyris, however, rejected Cyrus. Subsequently, Cyrus, having led an army to tiie Araxes, attacked the Ma^agetae in open war. The Persians slew and captured many (of them): and among others, the queen’s son. But he killed himself with his own hand. But Tomyris, having collected forces, fought in a battle with the Persians. They fought for a long while: at length the Massagetae came off victorious. Among others, Cyrus himself also perished. Then Tomyris suspended the