POLYSTRATUS Hold still! I perceive now quite clearly who the woman is that you describe; I recognize her by just these points and also by her country. Besides, you said that there were eunuchs in her following.

LYCINUS Yes, and several soldiers.

POLYSTRATUS It is the Emperor’s mistress, you simpleton —the woman who is so famous!

LYCINUS What is her name?

POLYSTRATUS Like herself, it is very pretty and charming. She has the same name as the beautiful wife of Abradatas. You know whom I mean, for you have often heard Xenophon praise her as a good and beautiful woman.

Panthea, “the woman of Susa, who is said to have been the fairest in Asia,” whose story is told in the Cyropaedia (4, 6, 11; 5, 1, 2-18; 6,1, 33-51; 6,4,2-11; 7,3, 2-16). Polystratus says “heard” because of the ancient practios of reading aloud, to which the Lessons of the Church bear present testimony.

LYCINUS Yes, and it makes me feel as if I saw her when I reach that place in my reading; I can almost hear her say what she is described as saying, and see how she armed her husband and what she was like when she sent him off to the battle.