Whatever his present fraud, whatever his previous career, this daring Mede was enabled to make his reign beloved and respected.

After his death he was regretted by all but the Persians, who would not have received the virtues of a god as an excuse for the usurpation of a Mede.

Known to the vast empire only by his munificence of spirit--by his repeal of tribute and service, the impostor permitted none to his presence who could have detected the secret.

He never quitted his palace--the nobles were not invited to his banquets--the women in his seraglio were separated each from each--and it was only in profound darkness that the partners of his pleasures were admitted to his bed.

The imposture is said by Herodotus to have been first discovered in the following manner:--the magian, according to the royal custom, had appropriated to himself the wives of Cambyses; one of these was the daughter of Otanes, a Persian noble whom the secluded habits of the pretended king filled with suspicion.