herodotus

the Athenians, and they have continued to observe it, since it is alaw with which none can find fault.178. Moreover Amasis became a lover of the Hellenes; and besides otherproofs of friendship which he gave to several among them, he alsogranted the city of Naucratis for those of them who came to Egypt todwell in; and to those who did not desire to stay, but who madevoyages thither, he granted portions of land to set up altars and makesacred enclosures for their gods. Their greatest enclosure and thatone which has most name and is most frequented is called theHellenion, and this was established by the following cities in common:--of the Ionians Chios, Teos, Phocaia, Clazomenai, of the DoriansRhodes, Cnidos, Halicarnassos, Phaselis, and of the Aiolians Mytilenealone. To these belongs this enclosure and these are the cities whichappoint superintendents of the port; and all other cities which claima share in it, are making a claim without any right.[152] Besides thisthe Eginetans established on their own account a sacred enclosurededicated to Zeus, the Samians one to Hera, and the Milesians one toApollo. 179. Now in old times Naucratis alone was an open tradingplace,and no other place in Egypt: and if any one came to any otherof the Nile mouths, he was compelled to swear that he came not thitherof his own will, and when he had thus sworn his innocence he had tosail with his ship to the Canobic mouth, or if it were not possible tosail by reason of contrary winds, then he had to carry his cargo roundthe head of the Delta in boats to Naucratis: thus highly was Naucratisprivileged. 180. Moreover when the Amphictyons had let out thecontract for building the temple which now exists at Delphi, agreeingto pay a sum of three hundred talents, (for the temple which formerlystood there had been burnt down of itself), it fell to the share ofthe people of Delphi to provide the fourth part of the payment; andaccordingly the Delphians went about to various cities and collectedcontributions. And when they did this they got from Egypt as much asfrom any place, for Amasis gave them a thousand talents' weight ofalum, while the Hellenes who dwelt in Egypt gave them twenty pounds ofsilver.[153]181. Also with the people of Kyrene Amasis made an agreement forfriendship and alliance; and he resolved too to marry a wife fromthence, whether because he desired to have a wife of Hellenic race, orapart from that, on account of friendship for the people of Kyrene:however that may be, he married, some say the daughter of Battos,others of Arkesilaos,[154] and others of Critobulos, a man of reputeamong the citizens; and her name was Ladike. Now whenever Amasis laywith her he found himself unable to have intercourse, but with hisother wives he associated as he was wont; and as this happenedrepeatedly, Amasis said to his wife, whose name was Ladike: "Woman,