618 
HISTORY IN ILLUSTRATION 
gates. The Persians stood on the right hand, and the other 
allies on the left of the way. When the gates of the palace 
were thrown open, first came forth certain bulls, very goodly 
beasts, four abreast, devoted to paternal Jove, and to such other of 
the gods as the Magi directed. Next to the bulls, horses were 
led, for a sacrifice to the sun. After these proceeded a white 
chariot, very costly, with its seat of gold adorned with a crown, 
and sacred to Jove. Then came another white chariot, sacred 
to the sun, and decorated in the same manner. After that, a 
third chariot, with horses in scarlet housings ; and behind it, 
followed men bearing fire upon a large altar. After these, 
Cyrus himself appeared, clad in his royal robes and diadem. 
When the chariot of Cyrus advanced, the four thousand guards 
led on before, and two thousand attended on each side ; the 
chief officers of his person, gallantly mounted, and finely 
clothed, with javelins in their hands, to the number of three 
hundred, followed after. Then were led the noble horses 
maintained for Cyrus himself, with their bridles of gold, and 
caparisoned in housings wrought with raised stripes; and 
these horses were two hundred. After them marched two 
thousand spearmen. Then came the first formed body of 
Persian horse, to the number of ten thousand, marshalled a 
hundred deep, under Chrysantes. After these, marched a 
second ten thousand, under Hystaspes. They were followed by 
the like number, in the leading of Datarnas. Then came the 
Median, the Armenian, the Hyrcanian, the Caducian, and the 
Sacian horse. And after these troops, went the chariots, ranged 
four abreast, under the command of the Persian Artabates. 
Upon this occasion Cyrus established equestrian and other 
games amongst his chiefs and followers; and to the victors he 
