[52] So Abradatas set to work, and this four-poled chariot of his gave Cyrus the idea of making a car with eight poles, drawn by eight yoke of oxen, to carry the lowest compartment of the battering engines, which stood, with its wheels, about twenty-seven feet from the ground.

[53] Cyrus felt that he had a series of such towers brought into the field at a fair pace they would be of immense service to him, and inflict as much damage on the enemy.
The towers were built with galleries and parapets, and each of them could carry twenty men.

[54] When the whole was put together he tested it and found that the eight yoke of oxen could draw the whole tower with the men more easily than one yoke by itself could manage the ordinary weight of baggage, which came to about five-and-twenty talents apiece, whereas the tower, build of planks about as thick as the boards for a stage, weighed less than fifteen for each yoke.

[55] Thus, having satisfied himself that the attempt was perfectly possible, he arranged to take the towers into action, believing that in war selfishness meant salvation, justice, and happiness.
[C.2] About this time ambassadors came to Cyrus from India with gifts of courtesy and a message from their king, saying: "I send you greeting, Cyrus, and I rejoice that you told me of your needs.

I desire to be your friend and I offer you gifts; and if you have need of anything more, I bid you say the word, and it shall be yours.