He dreamed that a vine proceeded from his
daughter, and, growing rapidly and luxuriantly
while he was regarding it, extended itself over
the whole land. Now the vine being a symbol
of beneficence and plenty, Astyages might have
t5onsidered this vision as an omen of good ; still,
as it was good which was to be derived in some
way from his daughter, it naturally awakened
his fears anew that he was doomed to find a
rival and competitor for the possession of his
kingdom in Mandane's son and heir. He call-
ed together his soothsayers, related his dream to
them, and asked for their interpretation. They
decided that it meant that Mandane would have
a son who would one day become a king.
Astyages was now seriously alarmed, and b^



40 Cyrus the Great. [B.C.599.
Birth of Cyrus. Astyages determines to destroy him'

sent for Mandane to come home, ostensibly be-
cause he wished her to pay a visit to her father
and to her native land, but really for the pur-
pose of having her in his power, that he might
destroy her child so soon as one should be born.
Mandane came to Media, and was establish-
ed by her father in a residence near his palace,
and such officers and domestics were put in
charge of her household as Astyages could
rely upon to do whatever he should command.
Things being thus arranged, a few months pass-
ed away, and then Mandane's child was born.
