Chapter 9 Volume 1 VI

As they went on from here, they always saw lots of horse trails and horse dung.It appeared to be a cavalry team of about 2,000 riders.These caravans burned fodder and other useful things as they advanced.At this time Aurontas, who was related to the king and was considered the best of the Persians in tactics, plotted a plot against Cyrus--in fact he had attacked Cyrus before, But it's all over again.He said to Cyrus at this time that if he was given a thousand cavalry, he would ambush and kill these cavalry that set fire in front, or capture many of them alive, so as to prevent them from burning their supplies on the way forward, and make them immortal. Do not spy on Cyrus' military situation and report to the king.When Cyrus heard of this strategy, he felt that it was an expedient measure, and ordered Orontas to choose a team from each cavalry commander.Then Orontas, thinking that his cavalry were sure to come, wrote a letter to the king, saying that he would join him with as many cavalry as he could get, and begging the king to send his cavalry to meet him in a friendly manner.The letter also mentions his former friendship and loyalty to the king.He gave the letter to a man he believed to be loyal and reliable to him.But this man took the letter and gave it to Cyrus.After reading the letter, Cyrus arrested Orontas, and summoned seven of the most noble Persians in his attendants to his tent.At the same time, he ordered the Greek generals to bring heavy armored infantry and let them arm themselves around the camp.All the generals obeyed the order and brought about three thousand heavy armored soldiers with them.

Clearchus was also called to the camp as an adviser, for Cyrus and the other Persians regarded him as more respectable than the other Greeks.When Clearchus came out, Cyrus told his friend how Orontas was tried - for it was not confidential.Cyrus first said at the meeting: "My friends, I have invited you here to discuss with you, and to take the case of Orontas to take the correct handling worthy of God and man. This man was originally My father gave it to me as a subordinate. Later, according to his own account, at the instigation of my brother, he occupied Sardis Fortress and fought against me. Through my challenge, he recognized

Better stop fighting me.We extended our hand of friendship to make peace.Then he said, "Orontas, have I treated you wrong since then?" Orontas replied, "No, never." Cyrus then questioned him: "Later, although you yourself admitted I did not treat you badly under my command, but didn't you defect from me and go to the Mecia and harass my territory as much as possible?" Orontas replied, "Yes." Cyrus asked him again, "When you once again realized that you were not powerful enough, didn't you come to the altar of Artemis to confess your sin and persuade me to forgive you again, and made an oath to you?" Orontas also admitted this. "Then," continued Cyrus inquired, "what wrong have I done to you that you now conspire against me for the third time?" The scholar asked him: "So do you admit that the facts prove that you are the villain who hurt me? said Orontas, "I have no choice but to do so." "So Cyrus asked again, "Then will you be able to oppose my brother and become my faithful friend?" " "Even if I do that, Cyrus," he answered, "you will never trust me again." At this time Cyrus said to those present: "This man's behavior has always been like this, and his words are now like this; then, Clearcus, please be the first to express your opinion as one of my advisers. . ’ Then Clearcus said: ‘My opinion is that the man should be mourned as soon as possible, lest we need to be ever on guard against him, and avoid future troubles.Only in this way can rewards and punishments be clearly defined and rewards be given to the loyal. ' said Clearkus, and the others agreed with the idea.

Later, at the command of Cyrus, all the people, even the relatives of Orontas, got up and grabbed him by the waist, saying that he would be sentenced to death.At this time, he was dragged out by the person who was ordered to execute it.Those who had formerly shown him reverence saluted him now, though they knew that he was being led to death.After he was brought to the camp of Artapates, Cyrus' most faithful steward, Orontas was never seen again, dead or alive.No one really knows how he was executed, it's all speculation of one kind or another; and no one has seen his grave.