Cyrus the Great Makers of History

Astyages sends for Cyrus.--Cyrus goes to Media.--Cyrus's reception.--His astonishment.--Sympathy with childhood.--Pleasures of old age.--Character of Cyrus.--First interview wit...

The three Asiatic empires.--Marriage of Cambyses.--Story of Mandane.--Dream of Astyages.--Astyages' second dream.--Its interpretation.--Birth of Cyrus.--Astyages determines to d...

Xenophon's romantic tales.--Panthea a Susian captive.--Valuable spoil.--Its division.--Share of Cyrus.--Panthea given to Cyrus.--Araspes.--Abradates.--Account of Panthea's captu...

The Persian monarchy.--Singular principle of human nature.--Grandeur of the Persian monarchy.--Its origin.--The republics of Greece.--Written characters Greek and Persian.--Pres...

The wealth of Croesus.--The Mermnadae.--Origin of the Mermnadean dynasty.--Candaules and Gyges.--Infamous proposal of Candaules.--Remonstrance of Gyges.--Nyssia's suppressed ind...

Reasons which induced Croesus to invade Media.--The Lacedaemonians.--Embassadors to Sparta.--Preparations of Croesus.--The counsel of Sardaris.--The army begins to march.--Thale...

Progress of Cyrus's conquests.--The northern countries.--The Scythians.--Their warlike character.--Cyrus's sons.--His queen.--Selfish views of Cyrus.--Customs of the savages.--C...

Plans of Croesus.--The River Halys.--Nature of the oracles.--Situation of Delphi.--The gaseous vapor.--The priestess.--The sacred tripod.--The oracle of Dodona.--The two black d...

Babylon.--The River Euphrates.--Canals.--Curious boats.--Their mode of construction.--Primitive navigation.--Return of the boatmen.--Extent of Babylon.--Parks, gardens, palaces,...

Change in the character of Cyrus.--His ambition.--Capriciousness of Astyages.--Cyrus makes great progress in mental and personal accomplishments.--Harpagus's plans for revenge.-...

The Jewish captivity.--Jeremiah and the book of Chronicles.--Incursions of Nebuchadnezzar.--Denunciations of Jeremiah.--Predictions of Jeremiah.--Exasperation of the priests and...

General character of Xenophon's history.--Dialogues and conversations.--Ancient mode of discussion.--Cyrus's games.--Grand procession.--The races.--The Sacian.--His success.--Mo...