The use of these works, therefore, as text-books in classes, has been kept continually in mind in the preparation of them. The running index on the tops of the pages is intended to serve instead of questions. These captions can be used in their present form as _topics_, in respect to which, when announced in the class, the pupils are to repeat substantially what is said on the page; or, on the other hand, questions in form, if that mode is preferred, can be readily framed from them by the teacher. In all the volumes, a very regular system of division is observed, which will greatly facilitate the assignment of lessons. CONTENTS. Chapter Page I. HERODOTUS AND XENOPHON 13 II. THE BIRTH OF CYRUS 37 III. THE VISIT TO MEDIA 68 IV. CROESUS 101 V. ACCESSION OF CYRUS TO THE THRONE 124 VI. THE ORACLES 144 VII. THE CONQUEST OF LYDIA 164 VIII. THE CONQUEST OF BABYLON 187 IX. THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS 207 X. THE STORY OF PANTHEA 226 XI. CONVERSATIONS 253 XII. THE DEATH OF CYRUS 270 ENGRAVINGS. Page MAP OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE _Frontispiece._ THE EXPOSURE OF THE INFANT 48 CYRUS'S HUNTING 90 THE SECRET CORRESPONDENCE 132 THE SIEGE OF SARDIS 179 RAISING JEREMIAH FROM THE DUNGEON 219 THE WAR-CHARIOT OF ABRADATES 242 CYRUS THE GREAT. CHAPTER I. HERODOTUS AND XENOPHON. B.C. 550-401