Book 5
2.23
So he called Gobryas and theCyrus consults with Gobryas and the Hyrcanian king Hyrcanian king to him, for he supposed that they must know best what he thought he needed to learn, and said: My dear friends, I think that I should be making no mistake to consult with you in regard to this war and to rely upon your trustworthiness. For I observe that you have greater need than I to see to it that the Assyrian shall not get the upper hand of us: if I am unsuccessful in this, I shall, perhaps, find some other place of refuge; whereas in your case, I see that if he gains the upper hand, all that you have passes into other hands.
2.24
For, as for me, he is my enemy, not because he hates me, but because he imagines that it would be inimical to his interests for our nation to become great, and for that reason he is making war upon us; but you he actually hates, for he thinks that you have done him wrong.To this they both answered in the same way, that he should proceed with what he had to say, for they recognized the truth of what he had said and knew that it was a matter of vital concern to them how things turned out in the future.
2.25
Then he began as follows: Tell me, then, said he, does the Assyrian king believe that you are the only ones who are hostile to him, or do you know of any one else who is his enemy?Yes, by Zeus, said the Hyrcanian; the Cadusians,Cyrus aims to effect a combination with other enemies of Assyria a large and powerful nation, are most bitter enemies of his; and so are our neighbours, the Sacians, for they have suffered very severely at his hands; for he attempted to subjugate them just as he did us.
2.26
Well then, said he, do you think that these two nations would like to join us in an attack upon the Assyrian? Yes, they answered, and right eagerly, if they could find a way to combine their forces with ours. And what is to hinder such a union of forces? asked Cyrus.The Assyrians, they answered, the same nation, through whose country you are now marching.
