244 his uncle Cyaxares, who by the Babylonians was called Darius the Mede. Cyrus celebrated, his victory by a triumphal procession, a feast, and games. But being, notwithstanding his many excellent qualities, a heathen, and ignorant of the one true God, he offered his sacrifices to idols, instead of praising the God of Israel, who alone had caused his success. After this, he went to Persia, to see his parents; whence taking a journey into Media, he married the daughter of his uncle Cyaxares. By this marriage he becamé heir to all the possessions of his uncle. When he returned to Babylon, Cyaxares accompanied him ; for Cyrus chose to yield him the first place in the kingdom. He accordingly reigned, under the name of Darius, two years, over the whole empire of Media and Persia, which was as large as the Babylonian had been, Cyrus retaining only the command of the army.
