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"The Pleasant Task" | "The Pleasant Task" | ||
The pleasant task of tracing the history of the Grecians | The pleasant task of tracing the history of the Grecians and Persians during the reigns of Darius I and Xerxes I is assigned to me. For want of a knowledge of their history save such as I have gained from the perusal of a few books I am obliged to offer you nothing better than the following which is an attempt to condense the history of the Grecians and the Persians from 521 B. C till 478 B. C, the space of forty eight years. Darius was known by the name of Ochus before his reign but his name was changed to Darius signifying an avenger on account of the manner in which he treated the Magian impostor whom he finally succeeded in destroying. He reigned thirty years. Darius is mentioned in history as having several wives one before his ascension to the throne by whom he had a son; Artobarzanes who afterwards disputed the throne with Xerxes. It must be borne in mind that Darius did not come in possession of the throne by heirship or in consequence of his virtues but it was agreed upon by the conspirators against the Magian Impostor that he whose horse neighed first on a certain day should be king; Darius groom procured the honor for his master by means which he took for that purpose. The king, feeling grateful for the favor erected an equestrian stature upon which was inscribed, "Darius the son of Hystaspes acquired the king of Persia by means of his horse (whose name was inscribed and that of his groom." The Persian Empire was very extensive at this time including several countries belonging to Europe Asia and Africa. When Darius was seated on the throne his first action was in reference to dividing the Empire into districts which he designed according to their wealth at the same time using great care to appear to do all in his power for the good of his subjects and also not to displease them by taxing them too heavily, but the Persians did not like his proceedings and gave him a name which signifies something more mean and contemptible than merchant while Cyrus and Cambyses were surnamed by | ||
Latest revision as of 21:59, 23 May 2020
"The Pleasant Task"
The pleasant task of tracing the history of the Grecians and Persians during the reigns of Darius I and Xerxes I is assigned to me. For want of a knowledge of their history save such as I have gained from the perusal of a few books I am obliged to offer you nothing better than the following which is an attempt to condense the history of the Grecians and the Persians from 521 B. C till 478 B. C, the space of forty eight years. Darius was known by the name of Ochus before his reign but his name was changed to Darius signifying an avenger on account of the manner in which he treated the Magian impostor whom he finally succeeded in destroying. He reigned thirty years. Darius is mentioned in history as having several wives one before his ascension to the throne by whom he had a son; Artobarzanes who afterwards disputed the throne with Xerxes. It must be borne in mind that Darius did not come in possession of the throne by heirship or in consequence of his virtues but it was agreed upon by the conspirators against the Magian Impostor that he whose horse neighed first on a certain day should be king; Darius groom procured the honor for his master by means which he took for that purpose. The king, feeling grateful for the favor erected an equestrian stature upon which was inscribed, "Darius the son of Hystaspes acquired the king of Persia by means of his horse (whose name was inscribed and that of his groom." The Persian Empire was very extensive at this time including several countries belonging to Europe Asia and Africa. When Darius was seated on the throne his first action was in reference to dividing the Empire into districts which he designed according to their wealth at the same time using great care to appear to do all in his power for the good of his subjects and also not to displease them by taxing them too heavily, but the Persians did not like his proceedings and gave him a name which signifies something more mean and contemptible than merchant while Cyrus and Cambyses were surnamed by