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There is a plain in Asia which is shut in on all sides by a
mountain-range, and in this mountain-range are five openings. The
plain lies on the confines of the Chorasmians, Hyrcanians,
Parthians, Sarangians, and Thamanaeans, and belonged formerly to
the first-mentioned of those peoples. Ever since the Persians,
however, obtained the mastery of Asia, it has been the property of
the Great King. A mighty river, called the Aces, flows from the
hills inclosing the plain; and this stream, formerly splitting into
five channels, ran through the five openings in the hills, and watered
the lands of the five nations which dwell around. The Persian came,
however, and conquered the region, and then it went ill with the
people of these lands. The Great King blocked up all the passages
between the hills with dykes and flood gates, and so prevented the
water from flowing out. Then the plain within the hills became a sea,
for the river kept rising, and the water could find no outlet. From
that time the five nations which were wont formerly to have the use of
the stream, losing their accustomed supply of water, have been in
great distress. In winter, indeed, they have rain from heaven like
the rest of the world, but in summer, after sowing their millet and
their sesame, they always stand in need of water from the river.
When, therefore, they suffer from this want, hastening to Persia,
men and women alike, they take their station at the gate of the king's
palace, and wail aloud. Then the king orders the flood-gates to be
opened towards the country whose need is greatest, and lets the soil
drink until it has had enough; after which the gates on this side are
shut, and others are unclosed for the nation which, of the remainder,
needs it most. It has been told me that the king never gives the order
to open the gates till the suppliants have paid him a large sum of money
over and above the tribute.
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