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As soon therefore as he felt within himself that Babylon was fated to
be taken, he went to Darius and asked him if he set a very high value
on its conquest. When he found that Darius did indeed value it
highly, he considered further with himself how he might make the deed
his own, and be the man to take Babylon. Noble exploits in Persia
are ever highly honoured and bring their authors to greatness. He
therefore reviewed all ways of bringing the city under, but found none
by which he could hope to prevail, unless he maimed himself and then
went over to the enemy. To do this seeming to him a light matter, he
mutilated himself in a way that was utterly without remedy. For he cut
off his own nose and ears, and then, clipping his hair close and
flogging himself with a scourge, he came in this plight before Darius.
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