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BOOK III<br />

THALIA<br />

AGAINST this Amasis, Cambyses, son <strong>of</strong> Cyrus, made<br />

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war, leading with him both others, his own subjects,<br />

and <strong>of</strong> the Grecians, Ionians, and ^Eolians. <strong>The</strong> cause<br />

<strong>of</strong> the war was this : Cambyses, having sent a herald into<br />

Egypt, demanded the daughter <strong>of</strong> Amasis ; and he made this<br />

demand at the suggestion <strong>of</strong> an Egyptian physician, who out<br />

<strong>of</strong> spite served Amasis in this manner, because, having selected<br />

him out <strong>of</strong> all the physicians in Egypt, and torn him<br />

from his wife and children, he had sent him as a present to<br />

the Persians, when Cyrus, having sent to Amasis, required<br />

<strong>of</strong> him the best oculist in Egypt. <strong>The</strong> Egyptian therefore,<br />

having this spite against him, urged on Cambyses by his suggestions,<br />

bidding him demand the daughter <strong>of</strong> Amasis, in<br />

order that if he should comply he might be grieved, or if he<br />

refused he might incur the hatred <strong>of</strong> Cambyses. But Amasis,<br />

dreading the power <strong>of</strong> the Persians, and being alarmed, knew<br />

not whether to give or to deny; for he was well aware that<br />

Cambyses purposed to take her, not as his wife, but his mistress.<br />

Having considered these things, he did as follows:<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a daughter <strong>of</strong> Apries, the former king, very tall<br />

and beautiful, the only survivor <strong>of</strong> the family ; her name was<br />

Nitetis. This damsel, Amasis, having adorned with cloth <strong>of</strong><br />

gold, sent to Persia as his own daughter. After a time, when<br />

Cambyses saluted her, addressing her by her father's name,<br />

the damsel said to him : " O king, you do not perceive that<br />

you have been imposed upon by Amasis, who, having dressed<br />

me in rich attire, sent me to you, presenting me as his own<br />

daughter; whereas, in truth, I am the daughter <strong>of</strong> Apries,<br />

whom he, though he was his own master, put to death, after he<br />

had incited the Egyptians to revolt." <strong>The</strong>se words, and this<br />

accusation, induced Cambyses, the son <strong>of</strong> Cyrus, being greatly<br />

enraged, to invade Egypt. Such is the account the Persians<br />

give. But the Egyptians claim Cambyses as their own, say-<br />

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