25. Soon after, they prepared to perform the sacrifice which they had vowed. Oxen enough had been brought them to offer to Jupiter the Preserver, and to Hercules, for their safe conduct, and whatever they had vowed to the other gods. They also celebrated gymnastic games upon the hill where they were encamped, and chose Dracontius a Spartan, (who had become an exile from his country when quite a boy, for having involuntarily killed a child by striking him with a dagger,) to prepare the course and preside at the contests. 26. When the sacrifice was ended, they gave the hides[243] to Dracontius, and desired him to conduct them to the place where he had made the course. Dracontius, pointing to the place where they were standing, said, "This hill is an excellent place for running, in whatever direction the men may wish." "But how will they be able," said they, "to wrestle on ground so rough and bushy?" "He that falls," said he, "will suffer the more." 27. Boys, most of them from among the prisoners, contended in the short course, and in the long course above sixty Cretans ran; while others were matched in wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium. It was a fine sight; for many entered the lists, and as their friends were spectators, there was great emulation. 28. Horses also ran; and they had to gallop down the steep, and, turning round in the sea, to come up again to the altar. In the descent, many rolled down; but in the ascent, against the exceedingly steep ground, the horses could scarcely get up at a walking pace. There was consequently great shouting, and laughter, and cheering from the people.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Darius II., surnamed Nothus, who reigned from B. C. 423 to B. C. 404, the year in which Cyrus went up to Babylon.
[2] Several children of his are mentioned by Plutarch, Life of Artax. c. i. 27.
[3] Afterwards Artaxerxes II., surnamed Mnemon; he began his reign B. C. 405.
[4] Εἰς Καστωλοῦ πεδίον.] In each of the provinces of the Persian empire, certain open places, plains or commons, were appointed for the assembly and review of troops. See [i. 2. 11]; 9. 7; Hellen. 43. Heeren, Ideen, vol. ii. p. 486. Castolus is mentioned as a city of Lydia by Stephanus of Byzantium. Kühner.
[5] Τῶν Ἑλλήνων —— ὁπλίτας —— τριακοσίους.] Three hundred of the Greeks that were in his pay, or of such as he could then procure.
[6] A city and district in the south-western part of Arcadia.
[7] Ὑπῆρχε τῷ Κύρῳ.] "Partibus et consiliis ejus [Cyri] favebat." Schneider. "Cyro addicta et adjumento erat." Kühner. Compare v. 6. 23; Hellen. vii. 5. 5.