[64] In war and in the chase they show plainly enough that the fire of ambition is still burning in their hearts.

And they have stood the last test of loyalty in the downfall of their masters.

No men have shown more faithfulness than eunuchs when ruin has fallen on their lords.

[65] In bodily strength, perhaps, the eunuchs seem to be lacking, but steel is a great leveller, and makes the weak man equal to the strong in war.

Holding this in mind, Cyrus resolved that his personal attendants, from his doorkeepers onwards, should be eunuchs one and all.
[66] This guard, however, he felt was hardly sufficient against the multitude of enemies, and he asked himself whom he could choose among the rest.