Xenophon, Cyropaedia
Walter Miller, Ed.

When Cyrus had sacrificed and was celebrating¹ his victory with a banquet, he invited in those of his friends who showed that they were most desirous of magnifying his rule and of honouring him most loyally. He invited with them Artabazus the Mede, Tigranes the Armenian, Gobryas, and the commander of the Hyrcanian horse. [2]

Now Gadatas was the chief of the mace-bearers, and the whole household was managed as he directed. Whenever guests dined with Cyrus, Gadatas did not even take his seat, but attended upon them. But when they were by themselves, he would dine with Cyrus, for Cyrus enjoyed his company. And in return for his services he received many valuable presents from Cyrus himself and, through Cyrus's influence, from others also. [3]

So when invited guests came to dinner, he did² not assign them their seats at random, but he seated on Cyrus's left the one for whom he had the highest regard, for the left side was more readily exposed to treacherous designs than the right; and the one who was second in esteem he seated on his right, the third again on the left, the fourth on the right, and so on, if there were more. [4]

For he thought it a good plan to show publicly how much regard he had for each one, because where people feel that the one who merits most will neither have his praise proclaimed nor receive a prize, there is no emulation among them; but where the most deserving is seen to receive the most preferment, there all are seen to contend most eagerly for the first place. [5]

Accordingly, Cyrus thus made public recognition of those who stood first in his esteem, beginning even with the places they took when sitting or standing in his company. He did not, however, assign the appointed place permanently, but he made it a rule that by noble deeds any one might advance to a more honoured seat, and that if any one should conduct himself ill he should go back to one less honoured. And Cyrus felt it a discredit to himself, if the one who sat in the seat of highest honour was not also seen to receive the greatest number of good things at his hands. And we observe, furthermore, that this custom introduced in the time of Cyrus continues in force even to our own times. [6]

Now, when they were at dinner, it struck³ Gobryas as not at all surprising that there was a great abundance of everything upon the table of a man who ruled over wide domains; but what did excite his wonder was that Cyrus, who enjoyed so great good fortune, should never consume by himself any delicacy that he might receive, but took pains to ask his guests to share it, and that he often saw him send even to some of his friends who were not there something that he happened to like very much himself. [7] And so when the dinner was over and Cyrus had sent around to others all that was left from the meal—and there was a great deal left—Gobryas could not help remarking: “Well, Cyrus, I used to think that you surpassed all other men in that you were the greatest general; and now, I swear by the gods, you seem actually to excel even more in kindness than in generalship.” [8]

“Aye, by Zeus,” answered Cyrus; “and what is more, I assure you that I take much more pleasure in showing forth my deeds of kindness than ever I did in my deeds of generalship.”

“How so?” asked Gobryas.

“Because,” said he, “in the one field, one must necessarily do harm to men; in the other, only good.” [9]

Later, when they were drinking after their⁴ meal, Hystaspas asked: “Pray, Cyrus, would you be displeased with me, if I were to ask you something that I wish to know from you?”

“Why, no; by the gods, no,” he answered; “on the contrary, I should be displeased with you if I found that you refrained from asking something that you wished to ask.”

“Tell me, then,” said the other, “did I ever fail to come when you sent for me?”

“Hush!”⁵ said Cyrus.

“Or, obeying, did I ever obey reluctantly?”

“No; nor that.”

“Or did I ever fail to do your bidding in anything?”

“I make no such accusation,” answered Cyrus.

“And is there anything I did that you found me doing otherwise than eagerly or cheerfully?”

“That, least of all,” answered Cyrus. [10]

“Then why, in heaven's name, Cyrus,” he said, “did you put Chrysantas down for a more honourable place than mine?”

“Am I really to tell you?” asked Cyrus.

“By all means,” answered Hystaspas.

“And you, on your part, will not be angry with me when you hear the truth?” [11]

“Nay rather,” said he, “I shall be more than glad, if I find that I am not being slighted.”

“Well then,” said Cyrus, “in the first place,⁶ Chrysantas here did not wait to be sent for, but presented himself for our service even before he was called; and in the second place, he has always done not only what was ordered but all that he himself saw was better for us to have done. Again, whenever it was necessary to send some communication to the allies, he would give me advice as to what he thought proper for me to say; and whenever he saw that I wished the allies to know about something, but that I felt some hesitation in saying anything about myself, he would always make it known to them, giving it as his own opinion. And so, in these matters at least, what reason is there why he should not be of more use to me even than I am myself? And finally, he always insists that what he has is enough for him, while he is manifestly always on the lookout for some new acquisition that would be of advantage to me, and takes much more pleasure and joy in my good fortune than I do myself.” [12]

“By Hera,” said Hystaspas in reply, “I am glad at any rate that I asked you this question, Cyrus.”

“Why so, pray?” asked Cyrus.

“Because I too shall try to do as he does,” said he. “Only I am not sure about one thing—I do not know how I could show that I rejoice at your good fortune. Am I to clap my hands or laugh or what must I do?”

“You must dance the Persian dance,”⁷ suggested Artabazus.

At this, of course, there was a laugh. [13] But, as⁸ the banquet proceeded, Cyrus put this question to Gobryas: “Tell me, Gobryas,” said he, “would you be more ready to consent now to give your daughter to one of my friends here than you were when first you joined us?”

“Well,” answered Gobryas, “shall I also tell the truth?”

“Aye, by Zeus,” answered Cyrus; “surely no question calls for a falsehood.”

“Well, then,” he replied, “I should consent much more readily now, I assure you.”

“And would you mind telling us why?” asked Cyrus.

“Certainly not.”

“Tell us, then,” [14]

“Because, while at that time I saw them bear toils and dangers with cheerfulness, now I see them bear their good fortune with self-control. And to me, Cyrus, it seems harder to find a man who can bear good fortune well than one who can bear misfortune well; for it is the former that engenders arrogance in most men; it is the latter that inspires in all men self-control.” [15]

“Hystaspas, did you hear that saying of Gobryas?” asked Cyrus.

“Yes, by Zeus,” he answered; “and if he has many such things to say, he will find me a suitor for his daughter's hand much sooner than he would if he should exhibit to me a great number of goblets.” [16]

“I promise you,” said Gobryas, “that I have a great number of such saws written down, and I will not begrudge them to you, if you get my daughter to be your wife. But as to the goblets,” said he, “inasmuch as you do not seem to appreciate them, I rather think I shall give them to Chrysantas here, since he also has usurped your place at table.” [17]

“And what is more, Hystaspas—yes, and you⁹ others here,” said Cyrus, “if you will let me know whenever any one of you is proposing to marry, you will discover what manner of assistant I, too, shall be to you.” [18]

“And if any one has a daughter to give in marriage,” said Gobryas, “to whom is he to apply?”

“To me,” said Cyrus; “for I am exceedingly skilled in that art.”

“What art?” asked Chrysantas. [19]

“In knowing what sort of match would suit each one of you.”

“Tell me, then, for heaven's sake,” said Chrysantas, “what sort of wife you think would suit me best.” [20]

“In the first place,” said he, “she must be small; for you are small yourself; and if you marry a tall woman and wish to kiss her when she is standing up straight, you will have to jump for it, like a puppy.”

“You are quite right in that provision for me,” said he; “and I should never get my kiss, for I am no jumper at all.” [21]

“And in the next place,” Cyrus went on, “a snub-nosed woman would suit you admirably.”

“Why so?”

“Because,” was the answer, “your own nose is so hooked; and hookedness, I assure you, would be the very proper mate for snubbiness.”

“Do you mean to say also,” said the other, “that a supperless wife would suit one who has had a good dinner, like me now?”

“Aye, by Zeus,” answered Cyrus; “for the stomach of one who has eaten heartily bows out, but that of one who has not eaten bows in.” [22]

“Then, in heaven's name,” said Chrysantas,¹⁰ “could you tell us what sort of wife would suit a frigid king?”¹¹

At this, of course, Cyrus burst out laughing, as did also all the rest. [23]

“I envy you for that, Cyrus,” said Hystaspas while they were still laughing, “more than for anything else in your kingdom.”

“Envy me for what?” asked Cyrus.

“Why, that, frigid as you are, you can still make us laugh.”

“Well,” said Cyrus, “and would you not give a great deal to have made these jokes and to have them reported to the lady with whom you wish to have the reputation of being a witty fellow?”

Thus, then, these pleasantries were exchanged. [24]

After this he brought out some articles of feminine adornment for Tigranes and bade him give them to his wife, because she had so bravely accompanied her husband throughout the campaigns; to Artabazus he gave a golden goblet and to the Hyrcanian a horse and many other beautiful presents. “And you, Gobryas,” he said, “I will present with a husband for your daughter.” [25]

“You will please present him with me, then,¹² will you not,” said Hystaspas, “that so I may get the collection of proverbs?”

“Ah, but have you property enough to match the girl's fortune?” asked Cyrus.

“Yes, by Zeus,” he answered, “and several times over.”

“And where is this property of yours?” asked Cyrus.

“Right there,” said he, “in your chair; for you are a friend of mine.”

“I am satisfied,” said Gobryas; and at once stretching out his right hand he added: “Give him to me, Cyrus; I will accept him.” [26]

And Cyrus took Hystaspas by the right hand and placed it in the hand of Gobryas, and he received it. And then Cyrus gave Hystaspas many splendid gifts to send to the young lady. But Chrysantas he drew to himself and kissed him. [27]

“By Zeus, Cyrus,” cried Artabazus, “the cup which you have given me is not of the same gold as the present you have given Chrysantas!”

“Well,” said he, “I will give you the same gift.”

“When?” asked the other.

“Thirty years from now,” was the answer.

“I shall wait for it, then,” said he, “and not die before I get it; so be getting ready.”

And thus that banquet came to an end. And as they rose to depart, Cyrus also rose and escorted them to the doors. [28]

On the following day he dismissed to their¹³ several homes all those who had volunteered to be his allies, except such as wished to settle near him. To those who stayed he gave houses and lands which even to this day are in the possession of their descendants; these, moreover, were mostly Medes and Hyrcanians. And to those who went home he gave many presents and sent both officers and privates well contented on their way. [29]

Next he divided also among his own soldiers¹⁴ the spoil that he had obtained at Sardis. To the generals and to his own aides-de-camp he gave the choicest portions—to each, according to his merit—and then distributed the rest; and in assigning to the generals their proper portions he left it to their discretion to distribute it as he had distributed to them. [30] And they apportioned all the rest, each officer examining into the merits of his subordinate officers; and what was left to the last, the corporals, inquiring into the merits of the private soldiers under their command, gave to each according to his deserts. And so all were in receipt of their fair share. [31]

And when they had received what was then given them, some spoke concerning Cyrus in this vein: “He must be keeping an abundance himself, one would think, seeing that he has given so much to each one of us.”

“Abundance, indeed!” some others would say; “Cyrus is not of the sort to make money for himself; he takes more pleasure in giving than in keeping.” [32]

And when Cyrus heard of these remarks and opinions about himself, he called together his friends and all his staff-officers and addressed them as follows: “My friends, I have in my time seen fellows¹⁵ who wished to have the reputation of possessing more than they had, for they supposed that they would thus be thought fine gentlemen; but to me,” said he, “it seems that such persons bring upon themselves the very reverse of what they wish. For if any man enjoy the reputation of having great wealth and do not appear to help his friends in a manner worthy of his abundance—that, it seems to me at least, fixes upon him the stigma of being a mean sort.¹⁶ [33]

“On the other hand,” he continued, “there are some who wish to keep it a secret how much they do possess. It seems to me, then, that these also are mean toward their friends. For oftentimes their friends are in need and, because they are ignorant of the truth, they say nothing to their comrades about their difficulties, and really suffer want. [34]

“To me, however,” he went on, “it seems the most straightforward way for a man to let the extent of his means be known and to strive in proportion to them to show himself a gentleman. And so I wish to show you all that I have, as far as it is possible for you to see, and to give you an account of it, in so far as it is impossible for you to see it.” [35]

With these words, he showed them many¹⁷ splendid possessions and gave them an account of those that were so stored away as not to be easily viewed. And in conclusion he said: [36] “All this, my friends, you must consider mine no more than your own; for I have been collecting it, not that I might spend it all myself or use it up all alone (for I could not), but that I might on every occasion be able to reward any one of you who does something meritorious, and also that, if any one of you thinks he needs something, he might come to me and get whatever he happens to want.”

Such was his speech.