language of Cyrus the younger before the battle of Cunaxa) from the region of insupportable heat to that of insupportable cold—­this was only because the early kings discouraged such a movement, in order that the nation might maintain its military hardihood and be in a situation to furnish undiminished supplies of soldiers.  The self-esteem and arrogance of the Persians were no less remarkable than their avidity for sensual enjoyment.  They were fond of wine to excess; their wives and their concubines were both numerous; and they adopted eagerly from foreign nations new fashions of luxury as well as of ornament.  Even to novelties in religion, they were not strongly averse.  For though disciples of Zoroaster, with Magi as their priests and as indispensable companions of their sacrifices, worshipping sun, moon, earth, fire, etc., and recognizing neither image, temple, nor altar—­yet they had adopted the voluptuous worship of the goddess Mylitta from the Assyrians and Arabians.  A numerous male offspring was the Persian’s boast.  His warlike character and consciousness of force were displayed in the education of these youths, who were taught, from five years old to twenty, only three things—­to ride, to shoot with the bow, and to speak the truth.  To owe money, or even to buy and sell, was accounted among the Persians disgraceful—­a sentiment which they defended by saying that both the one and the other imposed the necessity of telling falsehood.  To exact tribute from subjects, to receive pay or presents from the king, and to give away without forethought whatever was not immediately wanted, was their mode of dealing with money.  Industrial pursuits were left to the conquered, who were fortunate if by paying a fixed contribution and sending a military contingent when required, they could purchase undisturbed immunity for their remaining concerns.  They could not thus purchase safety for the family hearth, since we find instances of noble Grecian maidens torn from their parents for the harem of the satrap.

To a people of this character, whose conceptions of political society went no farther than personal obedience to a chief, a conqueror like Cyrus would communicate the strongest excitement and enthusiasm of which they were capable.  He had found them slaves, and made them masters:  he was the first and greatest of national benefactors, as well as the most forward of leaders in the field:  they followed him from one conquest to another, during the thirty years of his reign, their love of empire growing with the empire itself.  And this impulse of aggrandizement continued unabated during the reigns of his three next successors—­Cambyses, Darius, and Xerxes—­until it was at length violently stifled by the humiliating defeats of Plataea and Salamis; after which the Persians became content with defending themselves at home and playing a secondary game.

RISE OF CONFUCIUS, THE CHINESE SAGE