78 THALIA.

stationed for this purpose by Darius, he put every
one of them to death. The Babylonians, observing
that his actions corresponded with his professions,
were full of exultation, and were ready to yield him
the most implicit obedience. A second time, at the
head of a chosen detachment of the besieged, he ad­
vanced from the town at the time appointed, and slew
the two thousand soldiers of Darius. The joy of the
citizens at this second exploit was so extreme, that the
name of Zopyrus resounded with praise from every
tongue. The third time also, after the number of
days agreed upon had passed, he led forth his troops,
attacked and slaughtered the four thousand. Zopy­
rus, after this, was every thing with the Babylonians,
so that they made him the commander of their army,
and guardian of their walls.

CLVIII. At the time appointed, Darius advanced
with all his forces to the walls. The perfidy of Zopy­
rus then became apparent; for as soon as the Babylo­
nians mounted the wall to repel the Persian assault,
he immediately opened to his countrymen what are
called the Belidian and Cissian gates. Those Baby­
lonians who saw this transaction fled for refuge to
the temple of Jupiter Belus; they who saw it not,
continued in their posts, till the circumstance of their
. being betrayed became notorious to all.

CLIX. Thus was Babylon a second time taken. As
soon as Darius became master of the place, he levelled
the walls, and took away the gates, neither of which
things Cyrus had done before. He ordered three thou­
sand of the most distinguished nobility to be crucified!
the rest were suffered to continue where they were.
He took care also to provide them with women, for
the Babylonians, as we have before remarked, to pre­
vent a famine, had strangled their wives. Darius
ordered the neighbouring nations to send females to
Babylon, each being obliged to furnish a stipulated
number. These in all amounted to fifty thousand,
from whom the Babylonians of the present day are
descended.

CLX. With respect to the merit of Zopyrus, in the
opinion of Darius, it was exceeded by no Persian of