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After this the six took counsel together, as to the fairest way of
setting up a king: and first, with respect to Otanes, they
resolved, that if any of their own number got the kingdom, Otanes and
his seed after him should receive year by year, as a mark of special
honour, a Median robe, and all such other gifts as are accounted the
most honourable in Persia. And these they resolved to give him,
because he was the man who first planned the outbreak, and who brought
the seven together. These privileges, therefore, were assigned
specially to Otanes. The following were made common to them all: It
was to be free to each, whenever he pleased, to enter the palace
unannounced, unless the king were in the company of one of his wives;
and the king was to be bound to marry into no family excepting those of
the conspirators. Concerning the appointment of a king, the resolve
to which they came was the following: They would ride out together
next morning into the skirts of the city, and he whose steed first
neighed after the sun was up should have the kingdom.
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