ARTAXERXES
ARTAXERXES. Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes, surnamed
Longimanus (or
Long-hand) because he had one hand
longer than the other, said, it was more princely to add
than to take away. He first gave leave to those that
hunted with him, if they would and saw occasion, to throw
their darts before him. He also first ordained that punishment for his nobles who had offended, that they should be
stripped and their garments scourged instead of their bodies;
and whereas their hair should have been plucked out, that
the same should be done to their turbans. When Satibarzanes, his chamberlain, petitioned him in an unjust matter,
and he understood he did it to gain thirty thousand pieces
[p. 188]
of money, he ordered his treasurer to bring the said sum,
and gave them to him, saying: O Satibarzanes! take it;
for when I have given you this, I shall not be poorer, but I
had been more unjust if I had granted your petition.