The Old and the Restless - The Egyptians and the Scythians in Herodotus' Histories by Robert J. Hagan

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willing to manipulate nature even within their own empire, if it affords more power to the king
through money, and in this case, forced supplication. This behavior contradicts the Persian
nomos that “rivers are objects of particular reverence for them [the Persians], they do not urinate
or spit into them, nor do they wash their hands there or allow anyone else to either” (1.38). The
unnamed king, a representation of the archetypal Persian ruler, takes ownership of a force that is
not rightfully his. Whatever the average Persian might do, their masters did not think of
themselves as subject to the traditions of ordinary folk, especially given the apparent existence of
a law deeming that “the ruler of the Persians could do whatever he wanted” (3.31).
We may contrast the narrative of the Persian king with the chronicle of Min’s
achievements in Egypt, the chief among them being his diversion of the Nile through the
mountains, protecting the area of what would be Memphis from flooding (2.99). As the founder
of Egyptian civilization, Min ranks high in importance, and so does his act, which allows for the
creation of their capital. Later, Sesostris too is credited with the construction of canals that bring
water to those farther from the Nile (2.108). Their willingness to reshape nature for the public
good contrasts highly with the nameless Persian king who extorts money from his subjects.
On the path to imperial conquest, rivers are an enemy that one cannot kill. However, it is
not for a lack of trying on the part of the Persians. Their constant expansion often puts them
before treacherous streams, made more difficult by the great masses of men at their command.
The Persians put their sophiê to use building immense bridges and feats of engineering in order
to conquer their foes. Of all similar Persian engagements with rivers, Xerxes' confrontation with
the Hellespont illustrates this theme most vividly. As he sets out with a great army to do what his
father Darius failed to, that is to conquer Greece, he finds his efforts to cross the Bosphorus
quashed by storms that destroy the bridge he attempts to build. Before executing his engineers,