5. Q. At what date did the Persian empire attain to great magnificence? A. About five hundred years before Christ.
6. Q. Contemporaneous with the Persian empire what republics flourished in the West? A. The republics of Greece.
7. Q. What two Greek historians have given us the history of Cyrus? A. Herodotus and Xenophon.
8. Q. How did Herodotus obtain his information for writing his history? A. By visiting the countries about which he wrote.
9. Q. What romance did Xenophon write, founded on the history of Cyrus the Great? A. The “Cyropædia.”
10. Q. Why may we assume that much Xenophon says about Cyrus is fiction? A. His narrative was apparently written for the purpose of conveying lessons in philosophy, morals, and military science, rather than that of stating historical facts.
11. Q. As what kind of a person does he portray Cyrus? A. As a model hero.
12. Q. What six empires or countries are specially associated with the life of Cyrus? A. Media, Persia, Lydia, Babylon, Judah and Scythia.
13. Q. When was Cyrus born? A. About six hundred years before Christ—B. C. 599.
14. Q. At the time of his birth who was king of Media? A. Astyages.