- Source
- Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:3.76.1-3.76.3
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-08
The seven Persian conspirators set out to attack the Magians without knowing of Prexaspes' death, but upon learning of it on the way, they fall into debate. Witnessing an omen of birds, they agree with Darius's advice for immediate action and proceed to the palace.
οἱ δὲ δὴ ἑπτὰ τῶν Περσέων ὡς ἐβουλεύσαντο αὐτίκα ἐπιχειρέειν τοῖσι Μάγοισι καὶ μὴ ὑπερβάλλεσθαι, ἤισαν εὐξάμενοι τοῖσι θεοῖσι, τῶν περὶ Πρηξάσπεα πρηχθέντων εἰδότες οὐδέν.
Meanwhile, the seven Persians, having resolved after consultation to attack the Magians immediately and not to delay, set out after praying to the gods, knowing nothing of what had happened in the case of Prexaspes.
ἔν τε δὴ τῇ ὁδῷ μέσῃ στείχοντες ἐγίνοντο1 καὶ τὰ περὶ Πρηξάσπεα γεγονότα ἐπυνθάνοντο. ἐνθαῦτα ἐκστάντες τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐδίδοσαν αὖτις σφίσι λόγους, οἳ μὲν ἀμφὶ τὸν Ὀτάνην πάγχυ κελεύοντες ὑπερβαλέσθαι μηδὲ οἰδεόντων τῶν πρηγμάτων2 ἐπιτίθεσθαι, οἳ δὲ3 ἀμφὶ τὸν Δαρεῖον αὐτίκα τε ἰέναι καὶ τὰ δεδογμένα ποιέειν μηδὲ ὑπερβάλλεσθαι.
While they were on their way, they learned of what had occurred regarding Prexaspes. Thereupon, stepping aside from the road, they again held counsel among themselves; those around Otanes urged that they should by all means delay and not make the attack while matters were in such a ferment, whereas those around Darius urged that they should go at once and perform what had been resolved, and not delay.
ὠθιζομένων δʼ αὐτῶν ἐφάνη ἰρήκων ἑπτὰ ζεύγεα δύο αἰγυπιῶν ζεύγεα διώκοντα καὶ τίλλοντά τε καὶ ἀμύσσοντα. ἰδόντες δὲ ταῦτα οἱ ἑπτὰ τήν τε Δαρείου πάντες αἴνεον γνώμην καὶ ἔπειτα ἤισαν ἐπὶ τὰ βασιλήια τεθαρσηκότες τοῖσι ὄρνισι.
As they were disputing, there appeared seven pairs of hawks chasing two pairs of vultures, plucking and tearing them. On seeing this, all the seven approved the opinion of Darius, and thereupon they went to the palace, encouraged by the birds.
- 3.76.2στείχοντες ἐγίνοντο
A periphrastic construction consisting of the imperfect of γίνομαι and the present participle of στείχω (to go, walk), emphasizing the ongoing action ("they were in the middle of their journey").
- 3.76.2οἰδεόντων τῶν πρηγμάτων
A genitive absolute construction. The participle οἰδεόντων comes from οἰδέω (to swell, be in ferment), here used metaphorically to mean "while matters are in a state of ferment/tension."
- 3.76.2οἳ μὲν ... οἳ δὲ
Demonstrative pronouns in the plural indicating contrast ("some ... others") combined with prepositional phrases meaning "those around...". While the participle κελεύοντες (urging) appears in the first clause, the main verb of speaking is omitted, and the following infinitives (ὑπερβαλέσθαι and ἰέναι) express their respective assertions (indirect commands).