to come down to us show what a minute account of even
the most trifling occurrences was required of them by the central
authorities. They were not only obliged to report any fluctuation in
the temper or attitude of their subordinates, or any intrigues that
were being entered into across the frontier; they had also to record the
transfer of troops, the return of fugitives, the pursuit of deserters,
any chance scuffle between soldiers and natives, as well as the
punishment inflicted on the rebellious, the appearance of a portent
in the heavens, or omens noticed by the augurs. There were plenty
of envious or officious tongues among their followers to report to
headquarters the slightest failure of duty, and to draw attention to
their negligence. Moreover, it seems certain that the object of thus
compelling them to refer to the king at every turn, was not merely in
order to keep him informed of all that took place in his dependencies,
but also to lay bare the daily life of his prefects before his eyes.
The latter were entrusted with the command of seasoned troops; they had
considerable sums of money passing through their hands, and were often
obliged to take prompt decisions and enter into diplomatic or military
transactions on their own responsibility; in short, most of them, at
any rate, who were stationed at the furthest confines of the empire were
really kings in all but title, insignia, and birth. There was always the
danger lest some among them should be tempted to reassert, in their own
interest, the independence of the countries under their rule, and seek
to found a dynasty in their midst. The strict supervision maintained
over these governors generally nipped any ambition of this kind in the
bud; in some cases, however, it created the very danger it was intended
to prevent. If a governor who had been recalled to Nineveh or Calah in
order to explain his conduct failed to clear himself completely, he at
once fell into disgrace; and disgrace in Assyria, as in other countries
of the East, meant, nine times out of ten, confiscation of property,
mutilation and lifelong imprisonment, or death in its most hideous form.
He would, therefore, think twice before quitting his post, and if he
had any reason to suppose himself suspected, or viewed with disfavour in
high quarters, he would be in no hurry to obey a summons to the capital.
A revolt was almost certain to be crushed without fail, and offered
merely a very precarious cha