enemy to Memphis, besieged the city, and soon took it When Cambyses had resolved to make war upon the Carthaginians, the Phœnicians, who formed the chief strength of his fleet told him plainly, that they could not serve him against their countrymen, and this declaration obliged the prince to lay aside his design.
The Carthaginians, on their side, were never forgetful of the country from whence they came, and to whom they owed their origin. A royal city of Ethiopia, Cambyses named Meroe, for his own sister, after he had taken it. [Rollin and Strabo.]
Cyaxares, a brother of Cambyses, the uncle of Cyrus the Great, an Ethiopian, in the sovereignty of the Medes. This empire he united, besides the Babylonians, which he vanquished. The Lydians he subjected, and the greatest part of lesser Asia, and made himself master of Assyria and Arabia. [Rollin.]
Cyrus, son of Cambyses, king of Persia, by the daughter of Ahasuerus, king of Media, inherited the crowns both of Media and Persia, and reigned 30 years. In the first three chapters of the book of Ezra, we have an account of God's having disposed Cyrus to promote the re-building of the city and temple of Jerusalem, who was described by name nearly 200 years before he appeared. He was a wise and successful prince, and conquered most of the east. He mounted the throne of Persia 536 years before Christ. The God of armies blessed Cyrus, marching before him and conducting him from city to city, and from province to province, subduing nations before him, and loosening the loins of kings; breaking in pieces gates of brass, cutting asunder the bars of iron, throwing down the walls and bulwarks of cities, and putting him in possession of the treasures of darkness, and the hidden riches of secret places. He ordained Cyrus to be the deliverer of his people, Israel; and to enable him to support with dignity so glorious a function, the Lord endowed him with all the qualities which constitute the greatest captain and prince, and caused that excellent education to be given him which the heathens so much admired, though they knew neither the author or the true cause of it. The destruction of Babylon was foretold by the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, although so strongly fortified, both by nature and art, as to
