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Such were the three opinions brought forward at this meeting; the four
other Persians voted in favour of the last. Otanes, who wished to
give his countrymen a democracy, when he found the decision against
him, arose a second time, and spoke thus before the assembly:
"Brother conspirators, it is plain that the king who is to be chosen
will be one of ourselves, whether we make the choice by casting lots
for the prize, or by letting the people decide which of us they will
have to rule over them, in or any other way. Now, as I have neither
a mind to rule nor to be ruled, I shall not enter the lists with you
in this matter. I withdraw, however, on one condition - none of you
shall claim to exercise rule over me or my seed for ever." The six
agreed to these terms, and Otanes withdraw and stood aloof from the
contest. And still to this day the family of Otanes continues to be
the only free family in Persia; those who belong to it submit to the
rule of the king only so far as they themselves choose; they are
bound, however, to observe the laws of the land like the other Persians.
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