THALIA. 43

an adjoining apartment, into which he was followed
by Darius and Gobryas. This latter seized the ma­
gus round the waist; but as this happened in the
dark, Darius stood in hesitation, fearing to strike, lest
he should wound Gobryas. When Gobryas perceiv­
ed this, he inquired why he was thus inactive : when
Darius replied, " that it was from his fear of wounding
his friend ;" " Strike," exclaimed Gobryas, " though
you should pierce both." Darius instantly complied,
and ran his sword through the magus.

LXXIX. Having thus slain the magi, they instantly
cut off their heads. Their two friends who were
wounded were left behind, as well to guard the cita­
del, as on account of their inability to follow them.
The remaining five ran out into the public street,
having the heads of the magi in their hands, and
making violent outcries. They called aloud to the
Persians, explaining what had happened, and exposing
the heads of the usurpers; at the same time, whoever
of the magi appeared was instantly put to death.
The Persians hearing what these seven noblemen had
effected, and learning the imposture practised on them
by the magi, were seized with the desire of imitating
their conduct. Sallying forth with drawn swords,
they killed every magus whom they met; and if night
had not checked their rage, not one would have es­
caped. The anniversary of this day the Persians
celebrate with great solemnity ; the festival they ob­
serve is called the magophonia, or the slaughter of
the magi. On this occasion no magus is permitted
to be seen in public, they are obliged to confine them­
selves at home.

LXXX. When the tumult had subsided, and an
interval of five days was elapsed, the conspirators met
to deliberate on the situation of affairs. Their senti­
ments, as delivered on this occasion, however they
may want credit with many of the Greeks, were in
fact as follows.—Otanes recommended a republican
form of government: " It does not," says he, " seem
to me advisable, that the government of Persia should
hereafter be intrusted to any individual person, this
being neither popular nor wise. We all know the