290 CHAPTER XVII. Cyrus becomes king—The return of the Jews to their own t country. Cyrus had been absent with his army in Syria and Egypt, settling the affairs of the empire, and bringing the people into complete subjection to the Median and Persian government. But on the death of his uncle Darius, who reigned but two years, he returned and became king in his stead. His government was so just and kind, that he was called the father of his people. He resided, during the seven cool months of the year, at Babylon; two months in the spring, at Shushan (the city among lilies); and during three months of the hottest wea bera: Ecbatana in Media.
As Daniel was prime minister, and was so celebrated a character, he undoubtedly had frequent opportunities of conversing on sacred and other matters with king Cyrus. It was supposed that Dafiel showed this king those writings' of Isaiah, in which the conquest of Babylou by the Medes and Persians is predicted, and where Cyrus is mention
