herodotus

his burial and with regard to the man mentioned, were not in myopinion really given at all, but I think that the Egyptians makepretence of it from pride and with no good ground.17. After this Cambyses planned three several expeditions, one againstthe Carthaginians, another against the Ammonians, and a third againstthe "Long-lived" Ethiopians, who dwell in that part of Libya which isby the Southern Sea: and in forming these designs he resolved to sendhis naval force against the Carthaginians, and a body chosen from hisland-army against the Ammonians; and to the Ethiopians to send spiesfirst, both to see whether the table of the Sun existed really, whichis said to exist among these Ethiopians, and in addition to this tospy out all else, but pretending to be bearers of gifts for theirking. 18. Now the table of the Sun is said to be as follows:--there isa meadow in the suburb of their city full of flesh-meat boiled of allfour-footed creatures; and in this, it is said, those of the citizenswho are in authority at the time place the flesh by night, managingthe matter carefully, and by day any man who wishes comes there andfeasts himself; and the natives (it is reported) say that the earth ofherself produces these things continually. 19. Of such nature is theso-called table of the Sun said to be. So when Cambyses had resolvedto send the spies, forthwith he sent for those men of theIchthyophagoi who understood the Ethiopian tongue, to come from thecity of Elephantine: and while they were going to fetch these men, hegave command to the fleet to sail against Carthage: but the Phenicianssaid that they would not do so, for they were bound not to do so bysolemn vows, and they would not be acting piously if they madeexpedition against their own sons: and as the Phenicians were notwilling, the rest were rendered unequal to the attempt. Thus then theCarthaginians escaped being enslaved by the Persians; for Cambyses didnot think it right to apply force to compel the Phenicians, bothbecause they had delivered themselves over to the Persians of theirown accord and because the whole naval force was dependent upon thePhenicians. Now the men of Cyprus also had delivered themselves overto the Persians, and were joining in the expedition against Egypt.20. Then as soon as the Ichthyophagoi came to Cambyses fromElephantine, he sent them to the Ethiopians, enjoining them what theyshould say and giving them gifts to bear with them, that is to say apurple garment, and a collar of twisted gold with bracelets, and analabaster box of perfumed ointment, and a jar of palm-wine. Now theseEthiopians to whom Cambyses was sending are said to be the tallest andthe most beautiful of all men; and besides other customs which theyare reported to have different from other men, there is especiallythis, it is said, with regard to their regal power,--whomsoever of themen of their nation they judge to be the tallest and to have strength