Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part III/II

by George L. Bennett

Layout 2

II.—THE STORY OF ZOPYRUS.

Revolt of the Babylonians.

110.—After the fleet had gone to Samos, the Babylonians, after preparing everything well, revolted from the Persians. For at the time when the Magus was king, and the seven men revolted against him, they had prepared themselves to undergo a siege. In each house they smothered all the women, excepting their mothers, and a single wife, whomsoever each man had desired to be exempted. Now each man exempted the one I have mentioned to make bread. Moreover, they smothered the others lest they should consume the corn.

The townsmen deride the besiegers.

111.—On ascertaining this Darius marched against them, after assembling the whole of his forces; and having brought up his army he laid siege to the city. But the Babylonians made little of the siege, for, ascending to the bulwarks on the wall, they used to dance, and mock Darius and his army. One of them also said: ‘Why do ye sit here, Persians? Why don’t ye go away? For when mules (shall) have borne young, then shall ye take us.’ This he said, for she mules do not bring forth young like other animals.

Obstinate defence of the city.

112.—A whole year and seven months had already gone by, and Darius and his army were worn out with weariness, because they were not able to storm the city; for after using every (kind of) artifice and every contrivance, Darius had gained no advantage. He had tried moreover, both other kinds of artifices, and also that one by which Cyrus had taken the city—that is to say, by attempting to enter the city by the bed of the Euphrates; but the Babylonians kept watch so carefully that they could be caught in no way.

Coming events cast their shadow before.

113.—There, then, when the twentieth month was being spent, the following portent occurred to a certain Zopyrus. One of his own she mules brought forth young. So, remembering the words of that Babylonian who had said, ‘When mules shall have brought forth, then shall Babylon be taken,’ he rejoiced greatly. Going to Darius he asked of him, ‘Dost thou not wish to take Babylon?’ To whom (said) the king, ‘I certainly desire it greatly.’

Zopyrus mutilates himself.

114.—Then Zopyrus took counsel with himself, for he wished to take the city by himself; for among the Persians success is rewarded with great honours. But this seemed possible to be done in no other way except by mutilating himself, and thus deserting to the Babylonians. Thereupon, then, thinking little of it, he cuts off his nostrils and ears, and having been torn by whips, goes to the king.

He presents himself before the king.

115.—Darius, on seeing a most noble man thus mutilated, being greatly moved, said, springing up from his throne, ‘Who has mutilated thee thus, and for what reason?’ And Zopyrus replied to him, ‘0 king, I did this myself, being wroth at Assyrians mocking Persians.’ Then (said) Darius, ‘But how, thou fool, through this will the enemy be the quicker brought under our power? Art thou mad, (thou) who hast thus ruined thyself?’

Zopyrus’ plan.

116.—Zopyrus replied: ‘0 king, I shall betake myself to the wall; I shall also say, “Darius did ” Then the enemy will entrust their army to me. But do thou, on the tenth day from that date, from that part of thy army the loss of which thou wilt bear the least ill, set one thousand men against the gate which is called that of Semiramis. Then again, after a few days, set another two thousand against the gate of Ninus, as it is called. But let neither the former nor the latter have anything but their swords; let them be armed with this one weapon. For, as I for my part imagine, when I shall have done glorious deeds, the Babylonians will both entrust all other things to my honour and also the bolts of the gates. Then shall I be able to give up the city to thee.’

He goes to the city and tells his story.

117.—When he had given these directions he proceeded to the gate; and when those who had their station in the towers, for the purpose of keeping a look out, saw him, they hurriedly descend, and ask, ‘Who art thou, pray? And why comest thou hither?’ In reply he (said), ‘My name is Zopyrus, and I come to you as a deserter.’ Having heard this, the guardians of the gate led him to the senate house. There, being placed before the senate, while lamenting his fate, he said, ‘It was from. Darius that I suffered this. Now, men of Babylon, I come to you, sure to be of the greatest advantage to you, but to Darius and the Persians of the greatest injury. Nor has he who has mutilated me thus done so with impunity. I have all the paths of his plans investigated (i.e., I know all his plans).’

He obtains command of their troops.

118.—When he had said these things the men of Babylon, seeing a man (who was) of the highest distinction among the Persians, mutilated in nose and ears, received Zopyrus as an ally. Moreover, he requested a band of armed men; and so he was put in command of (some) forces. Then, indeed, after obtaining the forces, he commenced to do the things about which it had been agreed with Darius.

The city is taken.

119.—On the tenth day, the army of the Babylonians having been led out, he surrounded and slew (lit., slew, surrounded) those thousand men wbom Darius placed in tbe place agreed on. Then he led out his forces again, and slew those two thousand soldiers of Darius whom I have mentioned above. After doing these things the chief command and the guardianship of the wall was entrusted to the same man. Then Zopyrus, having opened the gate, received the Persians within the walls. So in this way the city of Babylon was taken.