Cyrus, causing the Persians to revolt from King Astyages and the
Medes, was overcome in battle; and the Persians retreating by flight
into the city, the enemy pursued so close that they had almost fallen
into the city with them. The women ran out to meet them before the
city, plucking up their petticoats to their middle, saying, Ye vilest
varlets among men, whither so fast? Ye surely cannot find a refuge in
these parts, from whence ye came forth. The Persians blushing for shame
at the sight and speech, and rebuking themselves, faced about, and
renewing the fight routed their enemies. Hence a law was enacted, that
when the king enters the city, every woman should receive a piece of
gold; and this law Cyrus made. And they say that Ochus, being in other
kinds a naughty and covetous king, would always, when he came, compass
the city and not enter it, and so deprive the women of their largess;
but Alexander entered twice, and gave all the women with child a double
benevolence.