The Rise of Gaumata and the Death of Cambyses

When he came from Egypt to Syria, there was a famous magus named Jamasp. He claimed to be Bardiya and proclaimed: I am the king of royal blood. I am the world's new sovereign, Smerdis the hero, son of Cyrus. Armies gathered around him from every side, for the people were worn down by their king. He had turned his head from the faith of God and never acted with justice or wisdom. Farrokhzad was killed by his wicked vizier, the one called Prexaspes the brave. Gaumata took his place on the royal throne, holding a golden mace in his hand. When the news reached Cambyses the king, his blood boiled in his body like wine. He spurred his horse onward to battle, but suddenly fell from it in disgrace. He always kept a dagger at hand; it pierced his side and wounded him. Among the renowned warriors of the army of Iran, at the moment of death the king said this: I have already killed Bardiya before this, and mixed him with the black earth. Gaumata, the ignorant one of foul nature, his words are lies from beginning to end.