|
This he set up in Persia; and afterwards he proceeded to establish
twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies,
assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be
paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in
one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed
over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those which were more
remote. The following is an account of these governments, and of the
yearly tribute which they paid to the king: Such as brought their
tribute in silver were ordered to pay according to the Babylonian
talent; while the Euboic was the standard measure for such as brought
gold. Now the Babylonian talent contains seventy Euboic minae.
During all the reign of Cyrus, and afterwards when Cambyses ruled,
there were no fixed tributes, but the nations severally brought gifts
to the king. On account of this and other like doings, the Persians
say that Darius was a huckster, Cambyses a master, and Cyrus a
father; for Darius looked to making a gain in everything; Cambyses
was harsh and reckless; while Cyrus was gentle, and procured them all
manner of goods.
|
|