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.
