He said that Cyrus began the conference in this way: My friends, I have invited you here in order that I may consult with you and then take such action in the case of Orontas here as is right in the sight of gods and men. This man was given me at first by my father, to be my subject; then, at the bidding, as he himself said, of my brother, this man levied war upon me, holding the citadel of Sardis, and I, by the war I waged against him, made him count it best to cease from warring upon me, and I received and gave the hand-clasp of friendship. Since that, he said, Orontas, have I done you any wrong?

No, Orontas answered. Cyrus went on questioning him: Did you not afterwards, although, as you yourself admit, you had suffered no wrong at my hands, desert me for the Mysians, and do all the harm you could to my territory? Yes, said Orontas. Did you not, Cyrus said, when once more you had learned the slightness of your own power, go to the altar of Artemis and say you were sorry, and did you not, after prevailing upon me to pardon you, again give me pledges and receive pledges from me? This also Orontas admitted.

What wrong, then, said Cyrus, have you suffered at my hands, that you now for the third time have been found plotting against me? When Orontas replied, None, Cyrus asked him: Do you admit, then, that you have proved yourself a doer of wrong toward me? I cannot choose but do so, said Orontas. Thereupon Cyrus asked again: Then could you henceforth prove yourself a foe to my brother and a faithful friend to me? Even if I should do so Cyrus, he replied, you could never after this believe it of me.

Then Cyrus said to those who were present: Such have been this man’s deeds, such are now his words; and now, Clearchus, do you be the first of my counsellors to express the opinion you hold. And Clearchus said: My advice is to put this man out of the way as speedily as possible, so that we may no longer have to be on our guard against the fellow, but may be left free, so far as concerns him, to requite with benefits these willing servants.

In this opinion Clearchus said that the others also concurred.After this, he said, at the bidding of Cyrus, every man of them arose, even Orontas’ kinsmen, and took him by the girdle, as a sign that he was condemned to death; and then those to whom the duty was assigned led him out. And when the men who in former days were wont to do him homage saw him, they made their obeisance even then, although they knew that he was being led forth to death.