XERXES
XERXES. Arimenes came out of Bactria as a rival for
the kingdom with his brother Xerxes, the son of Darius.
Xerxes sent presents to him, commanding those that
brought them to say: With these your brother Xerxes now
honors you; and if he chance to be proclaimed king, you
shall be the next person to himself in the kingdom. When
Xerxes was declared king, Arimenes immediately did him
homage and placed the crown upon his head; and Xerxes
gave him the next place to himself. Being offended with
the Babylonians, who rebelled, and having overcome
them, he forbade them weapons, but commanded they
should practise singing and playing on the flute, keep
brothel-houses and taverns, and wear loose coats. He
refused to eat Attic figs that were brought to be sold, until
he had conquered the country that produced them. When
he caught some Grecian scouts in his camp, he did them
no harm, but having allowed them to view his army as
much as they pleased, he let them go.