BOOK III.
[C.1] Thus Cyrus made his preparations.

But the Armenian, when he heard what the messenger had to say, was terror-stricken: he knew the wrong he had done in neglecting the tribute and withholding the troops, and, above all, he was afraid it would be discovered that he was beginning to put his palace in a fit state for defence.

[2] Therefore, with much trepidation, he began to collect his own forces, and at the same time he sent his younger son Sabaris into the hills with the women, his own wife, and the wife of his elder son and his daughters, taking the best of their ornaments and furniture with them and an escort to be their guide.

Meanwhile he despatched a party to discover what Cyrus was doing, and organised all the Armenian contingents as they came in.

But it was not long before other messengers arrived, saying that Cyrus himself was actually at hand.