herodotus

ugged, let us change from it and inhabit another which is better: andthere are many near at hand, and many also at a greater distance, ofwhich if we take one, we shall have greater reverence and from moremen. It is reasonable too that men who are rulers should do suchthings; for when will there ever be a fairer occasion than now, whenwe are rulers of many nations and of the whole of Asia?" Cyrus,hearing this and not being surprised at the proposal,[123] bade themdo so if they would; but he exhorted them and bade them prepare inthat case to be no longer rulers but subjects; "For," said he, "fromlands which are not rugged men who are not rugged are apt to comeforth, since it does not belong to the same land to bring forth fruitsof the earth which are admirable and also men who are good in war." Sothe Persians acknowledged that he was right and departed from hispresence, having their opinion defeated by that of Cyrus; and theychose rather to dwell on poor land and be rulers, than to sow crops ina level plain and be slaves to others.----------NOTES TO BOOK IX1. "the same who at the former time also were of one accord together."2. {ta ekeinon iskhura bouleumata}: some good MSS. omit {iskhura},and so many Editors.3. {up agnomosunes}.4. {boulen}.5. {exeneikai es ton dumon}.6. {aleoren}.7. Cp. viii. 140 (a).8. {to men ap emeon outo akibdelon nemetai epi tous Ellenas}, "thatwhich we owe to the Hellenes is thus paid in no counterfeit coin.9. {ekeleusan}, i.e. "their bidding was" when they sent us.9a. This clause, "with no less--each man of them," is omitted in someMSS. and considered spurious by several Editors.10. Cp. ch. 55.11. {perioikon}.