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At this time the Massagetae were ruled by a queen, named Tomyris,
who at the death of her husband, the late king, had mounted the
throne. To her Cyrus sent ambassadors, with instructions to court
her on his part, pretending that he wished to take her to wife.
Tomyris, however, aware that it was her kingdom, and not herself,
that he courted, forbade the men to approach. Cyrus, therefore,
finding that he did not advance his designs by this deceit, marched
towards the Araxes, and openly displaying his hostile intentions; set
to work to construct a bridge on which his army might cross the river,
and began building towers upon the boats which were to be used in the passage.
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