TOMB OF CYRUS. 507 
the same period with Alexander, gives a Greek copy of the 
epitaph in conciser language. 
u eyed xsTpoit Kup og 
BacnAevg Eoco-iXyuv ” 
“ Here is placed Cyrus, 
King of Kings.” 
Until the satisfactory results of Mr. Morier’s learned researches, 
and persevering investigations in the country, the documents 
from ancient history usually brought forward as guides to the 
antiquarian in his closet to ascertain the exact situation of 
Pasargadas, continued to produce the most varying conclusions. 
These old authors write vaguely, and particularly the historians 
of Alexander, on topographical points ; but slight as they are, 
when carried in the memory of a man of quick apprehension 
and clear judgment, added to the facility which Mr. Morier 
possessed of exploring minutely all the sites attributed to the 
city of Cyrus, we find that their scattered rays may converge to 
one focus, and throw light direct on the sacred spot. 
We learn from some of them, that “ after Alexander had 
taken possession of the Persian capital, (Persepolis,) the city of 
Cyrus also, with its treasures, fell into his hands. Having pre¬ 
viously remained the winter on the plain of Merdasht to repose 
his troops, in the spring he followed the fugitive Darius, who 
had thrown himself into Ecbatana, taking the road through 
Pasargadre.” If I remember rightly, this account is given by 
Strabo ; and it testifies, according to the conqueror’s line of 
march, that the city of Cyrus lay to the north of Persepolis ; 
and, hence, could not possibly have been either Shiraz or Pasa, 
two places lying in a so directly contrary point. Pliny situates 
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