"Because if we are to join him at all, we must march right past Babylon itself." [30] "And where is the difficulty in that ?" said Cyrus.

"Heaven help us!" cried Gobryas.

"The city has only to open her gates, and she can send out an army ten thousand times as large as yours.

That is why," he added, "the Assyrians are less prompt than they were at bringing in their weapons and their horses, because those who have seen your army think it so very small, and their report has got about.

So that in my opinion it would be better to advance with the utmost care." [31] Cyrus listened and replied.
"You do well, Gobryas, my friend, in urging as much care as possible.
But I cannot myself see a safer route for us than the direct advance on Babylon, if Babylon is the centre of the enemy's strength.