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Among many proofs which I shall bring forward of the power and
resources of the Babylonians, the following is of special account.
The whole country under the dominion of the Persians, besides paying
a fixed tribute, is parcelled out into divisions, which have to supply
food to the Great King and his army during different portions of the
year. Now out of the twelve months which go to a year, the district
of Babylon furnishes food during four, the other of Asia during
eight; by the which it appears that Assyria, in respect of
resources, is one-third of the whole of Asia. Of all the Persian
governments, or satrapies as they are called by the natives, this is
by far the best. When Tritantaechmes, son of Artabazus, held it of
the king, it brought him in an artaba of silver every day. The artaba
is a Persian measure, and holds three choenixes more than the medimnus
of the Athenians. He also had, belonging to his own private stud,
besides war horses, eight hundred stallions and sixteen thousand
mares, twenty to each stallion. Besides which he kept so great a
number of Indian hounds, that four large villages of the plain were
exempted from all other charges on condition of finding them in food.
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