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Nicolaus Damascenus 66:
It was customary among the Medes that for his bringing up a pauper could go to an affluent man and put himself in his hands, that he might thus be properly nourished and clothed. … Now by and by a young lad by the name of Cyrus, a Mardian by nationality, comes up to a royal attendant who was in charge of beautifying the royal estate. The lad was Cyrus, son of a certain Atradates who, because he was so impoverished, had become a highwayman; his wife, the mother of Cyrus, was a goatherdess named Argoste. Well, then, in order to be reared Cyrus gives himself (to the service of the king) … and he beautified the royal estate and was sollicitous about his task. The superintendent therefore gave him a better suit of clothes and transferred him from the crew which worked outdoors to that which worked indoors, right near the king. … Gaining a good reputation in these matters he (= Cyrus) transferred himself to Artembares, who not only was in charge of the cupbearers but also personally handed the king the cup to drink. He (= Artembares) warmly wecomed him, and bade him be cupbearer to those who dined at the king’s table. … Now Artembares was old; and once, when suffering from a fever he asked permission to go home until he should recover. “Instead of me,” he said, “this young lad of whom you think so highly shall fill your cup.” … And Cyrus attended the king, and day and night poured his wine and handed him his cup. (Eventually Cyrus overthrew Astyages and became Great King.)
Source (list of abbreviations)
Nicolaus Damascenus 66
Bibliography
| Drews 1974 | Drews, Robert. “Sargon, Cyrus and Mesopotamian Folk History.” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 33 (1974) 387-393. [JSTOR (requires subscription)] |
Amar Annus
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