envoys a brilliant
spectacle, the great throne-room presented a vision of dazzling and
magic beauty.

In the background, raised on six steps, each of which was guarded, as it
were, by two golden clogs, stood the throne of gold; above it, supported
by four golden pillars studded with precious stones, was a purple
canopy, on which appeared two winged discs, the king's Feruer.

[The Feruer or Ferwer is the spiritual part of every man-his soul
and reason. It was in existence before the man was horn, joins him
at his birth and departs at his death. The Ferwer keeps up a war
with the Diws or evil spirits, and is the element of man's
preservation in life. The moment he departs, the body returns to
its original elements. After death he becomes immortal if he has
done well, but if his deeds have been evil he is cast into hell. It
is right to call upon the Ferwer and entreat his help. He will
bring the prayer before God and on this account is represented as a
winged disc.]

Fan-bearers, high in office at the court, stood behind the throne, and,
on either side, those who sat at the king's table, his relations
and friends, and the most important among the officers of state, the
priestly caste and the eunuchs.

The walls and ceiling of the entire hall were covered with plates of
burnished gold, and the floor with purple carpets.

Before the silver gates lay winged bulls, and the king's
body-guard-their dress consisting of a gold cuirass under a purple
overcoat, and the high Persian cap, their swords in golden scabbards
glittering with jewels, and their lances ornamented with gold and silver
apples, were stationed in the court of the palace. Among them the band
of the "Immortals" was easily to be distinguished by their stately forms
and dauntless bearing.

Officers, whose duty consisted in announcing and presenting strangers,
and who carried short ivory staves, led the deputies into the hall, and
up to the throne, where they cast themselves on the ground as though
they would kiss the earth, concealing their hands in the sleeves of
their robes. A cloth was bound over the mouth of every man before he was
allowed to answer the king's questions, lest the pure person of the king
should be polluted by the breath of common men.

Cambyses' severity or mildness towards the deputations with whose chiefs
he spoke, was proportioned to the obedience of their province and
the munificence of their tribute-offe