Chapter XXXIII: Growth of the Persian Empire

Conquests of Cyrus in Asia. — His attack of Babylon. — Difficult
approach to Babylon — no resistance made to the invaders. — Cyrus
distributes the river Gyndês into many channels. — He takes
Babylon, by drawing off for a time the waters of the Euphrates.
— Babylon left in undiminished strength and population. — Cyrus
attacks the Massagetæ — is defeated and slain. — Extraordinary
stimulus to the Persians, from the conquests of Cyrus. —
Character of the Persians. — Thirst for foreign conquest among
the Persians, for three reigns after Cyrus. — Kambysês succeeds
his father Cyrus — his invasion of Egypt. — Death of Amasis, king
of Egypt, at the time when the Persian expedition was preparing
— his son Psammenitus succeeds. — Conquest of Egypt by Kambysês.
— Submission of Kyrênê and Barka to Kambysês — his projects for
conquering Libya and Ethiopia disappointed. — Insults of Kambysês
to the Egyptian religion. — Madness of Kambysês — he puts to
death his younger brother, Smerdis. — Conspiracy of the Magian
Patizeithês who sets up his brother as king under the name of
Smerdis. — Death of Kambysês. — Reign of the false Smerdis —
conspiracy of the seven Persian noblemen against him — he is
slain. — Darius succeeds to the throne. — Political bearing
of this conspiracy — Smerdis represents Median preponderance,
which is again put down by Darius. — Revolt of the Medes —
suppressed. — Discontents of the satraps. — Revolt of Babylon.
— Reconquered and dismantled by Darius. — Organization of the
Persian empire by Darius. — Twenty satrapies with a fixed tribute
apportioned to each. — Imposts upon the different satrapies.
— Organizing tendency of Darius — first imperial coinage —
imperial roads and posts. — Island of Samos — its condition at
the accession of Darius. — Polykratês. — Polykratês breaks with
Amasis, king of Egypt, and allies himself with Kambysês. — The
Samian exiles, expelled by Polykratês, apply to Sparta for aid.
— The Lacedæmonians attack Samos, but are repulsed. — Attack on
Siphnos by the Samian exiles. — Prosperity of Polykratês. — He is
slain by the Persian satrap Orœtês. — Mæandrius, lieutenant of
Polykratês in Samos — he desires to establish a free government
after the death of Polykratês — conduct of the Samians. —
Mæandrius becomes despot. — Contrast between the Athenians
and the Samians. — Sylosôn, brother of Polykratês, lands with
a Persian army in Samos — his history. — Mæandrius agrees to
evacuate the island. — Many Persian officers slain — slaughter
of the Samians. — Sylosôn despot at Samos. — Application of
Mæandrius to Sparta for aid — refused. 209-252