The ring of Polycrates · 4003 dagen geleden by Ad van den Ende
Herodotus III, 39-43
XXXIX. [1]
Καμβύσεω δὲ ἐπ᾽ Αἴγυπτον στρατευομένου
And while Cambyses was marching upon Egypt
ἐποιήσαντο καὶ Λακεδαιμόνιοι στρατηίην
the Lacedemonians also had made an expedition
ἐπὶ Σάμον τε καὶ Πολυκράτεα τὸν Αἰάκεος·
against Samos and Polycrates the son of Aiakes,
ὃς ἔσχε Σάμον
who had rule over Samos,
ἐπαναστάς,
having risen (against the government).
[2] καὶ τὰ μὲν πρῶτα τριχῇ
At first into three parts
δασάμενος τὴν πόλιν..
having divided the town,
τοῖσι ἀδελφεοῖσι Πανταγνώτῳ
to his brothers Pantagnotos
καὶ Συλοσῶντι ἔνειμε,
and Syloson he distributed it;
μετὰ δὲ τὸν μὲν αὐτῶν ἀποκτείνας
but afterwards one of these having put to death,
τὸν δὲ νεώτερον Συλοσῶντα
and the younger, Syloson,
ἐξελάσας
having driven out
ἔσχε πᾶσαν Σάμον,
he obtained the whole of Samos.
ἔχὼν δὲ
Then, having (that),
ξεινίην Ἀμάσι τῷ Αἰγύπτου βασιλέι συνεθήκατο,
he made a guest-friendship with Amasis the king of Egypt,
πέμπων τε δῶρα
sending him gifts
καὶ δεκόμενος ἄλλα παρ᾽ ἐκείνου.
and receiving other (gifts in return) from him.
[3] ἐν χρόνῳ δὲ ὀλίγῳ αὐτίκα
Within a short period of time instantly
τοῦ Πολυκράτεος τὰ πρήγματα ηὔξετο
the power of Polycrates increased,
καὶ ἦν βεβωμένα ἀνά τε τὴν Ἰωνίην
and he was praised in Ionia
καὶ τὴν ἄλλην Ἑλλάδα·
and also over the rest of Hellas.
ὅκου γὰρ ἰθύσειε
for to whatever direction he rushed upon
στρατεύεσθαι,
to march,
πάντα οἱ ἐχώρεε εὐτυχέως.
everything went fortunately for him;
ἔκτητο δὲ πεντηκοντέρους τε ἑκατὸν
he had got a hundred fifty-oared galleys
καὶ χιλίους τοξότας,
and a thousand archers,
ἔφερε δὲ καὶ ἦγε πάντας
and he plundered from all,
διακρίνων οὐδένα·
making distinction of nobody;
[4] τῷ γὰρ φίλῳ ἔφη
for to his friend he said
χαριεῖσθαι μᾶλλον
that he would win more gratitude
ἀποδιδοὺς τὰ ἔλαβε
by giving back that which he had taken,
ἢ ἀρχὴν μηδὲ λαβών.
than by not taking at all.
συχνὰς μὲν δὴ τῶν νήσων ἀραιρήκεε,
Many of the islands he had conquered
πολλὰ δὲ καὶ τῆς ἠπείρου ἄστεα·
and also many towns of the continent,
ἐν δὲ δὴ καὶ Λεσβίους
and besides he captured also the Lesbians,
πανστρατιῇ βοηθέοντας Μιλησίοισι
with all their forces helping the Milesians,
ναυμαχίῃ κρατήσας εἷλε,
in a sea-fight having gained the victory;
οἳ τὴν τάφρον περὶ τὸ τεῖχος τὸ ἐν Σάμῳ πᾶσαν
they have dug the whole trench round the wall in Samos,
δεδεμένοι ὤρυξαν.
bound.
XL. [1]
καί κως τὸν Ἄμασιν
And Amasis, as may be supposed,
εὐτυχέων μεγάλως ὁ Πολυκράτης
that Polycrates was very greatly fortunate ,
οὐκ ἐλάνθανε,
did not escape him,
ἀλλά οἱ τοῦτ᾽ ἦν ἐπιμελές.
but it was to him an object of concern;
πολλῷ δὲ ἔτι πλεῦνός
and as still much more
οἱ εὐτυχίης γινομένης
good fortune had come to him,
γράψας ἐς βυβλίον τάδε
having written upon a paper these things
ἐπέστειλε ἐς Σάμον.
he sent it to Samos:
«Ἄμασις Πολυκράτεϊ ὧδε λέγει.
“Amasis to Polycrates thus sais:
[2] ἡδὺ μὲν πυνθάνεσθαι
It is a pleasant thing indeed to hear
ἄνδρα φίλον καὶ ξεῖνον εὖ πρήσσοντα·
that a man, a friend and guest, is faring well;
ἐμοὶ δὲ αἱ σαὶ μεγάλαι εὐτυχίαι οὐκ ἀρέσκουσι,
but to me your great good fortune is not pleasing,
ἐπισταμένῳ τὸ θεῖον ὡς ἔστι φθονερόν·
knowing that the divinity is jealous;
καί κως βούλομαι καὶ αὐτὸς
and I think that I desire, both for myself
καὶ τῶν ἂν κήδωμαι
and for those about whom I have care,
τὸ μέν τι εὐτυχέειν τῶν πρηγμάτων
that in some of our affairs we should be prosperous
τὸ δὲ προσπταίειν,
and in others should fail,
καὶ οὕτω διαφέρειν τὸν αἰῶνα
and thus go through life
ἐναλλὰξ πρήσσων
alternately faring (well and ill),
ἢ εὐτυχέειν τὰ πάντα.
rather than that we should be prosperous in all things.
[3] οὐδένα γάρ κω λόγῳ οἶδα ἀκούσας
For of nobody I know, having heard so,
ὅστις ἐς τέλος οὐ κακῶς ἐτελεύτησε
who at the last did not come to an utterly evil end
πρόρριζος εὐτυχέων τὰ πάντα.
who on the whole was prosperous in all things.
σύ νυν ἐμοὶ πειθόμενος
Now therefore, following my counsel,
ποίησον πρὸς τὰς εὐτυχίας
do with respect to your prosperous fortunes
τοιάδε·
these things.
[4] φροντίσας τὸ ἂν εὕρῃς
Having considered that which you find
ἐόν τοι πλείστου ἄξιον
to be the most valued by you,
καὶ ἐπ᾽ ᾧ σὺ ἀπολομένῳ
and for which you, having lost it,
μάλιστα τὴν ψυχὴν ἀλγήσεις,
will most be vexed in your soul,
τοῦτο ἀπόβαλε οὕτω
throw that off in such a manner
ὅκως μηκέτι ἥξει ἐς ἀνθρώπους·
that it shall not again come to (the sight of) men;
ἤν τε μὴ ἐναλλὰξ ἤδη τὠπὸ τούτου
and if not at last from that time forward alternately
αἱ εὐτυχίαι τοι τῇσι πάθῃσι προσπίπτωσι,
the successes befall you and calamities,
τρόπῳ τῷ ἐξ ἐμεῦ ὑποκειμένῳ ἀκέο.»
restore it in the manner by me suggested.”
XLI.
[1] ταῦτα ἐπιλεξάμενος ὁ Πολυκράτης
Having read this, Polycrates
καὶ νόῳ λαβὼν
and comprehending
ὥς οἱ εὖ ὑπετίθετο Ἄμασις,
that Amasis advised him well,
ἐδίζητο ἐπ᾽ ᾧ ἂν
sought by which one
μάλιστα τὴν ψυχὴν ἀσηθείη
he would be most afflicted in his soul
ἀπολομένῳ τῶν κειμηλίων,
if he losed it of his treasures.
διζήμενος δὲ εὕρισκε τόδε.
and seeking he found this.
ἦν οἱ σφρηγὶς
he had a signet-ring
τὴν ἐφόρεε χρυσόδετος,
which he used to wear, enchased in gold,
σμαράγδου μὲν λίθου ἐοῦσα,
being of an emerald stone;
ἔργον δὲ ἦν Θεοδώρου
and it was the work of Theodoros
τοῦ Τηλεκλέος Σαμίου.
the son of Telecles of Samos.
[2] ἐπεὶ ὦν ταύτην οἱ ἐδόκεε ἀποβαλεῖν,
Because he thought it good to cast this away,
ἐποίεε τοιάδε·
he did thus:
πεντηκόντερον πληρώσας ἀνδρῶν
having manned a fifty-oared galley with men
ἐσέβη ἐς αὐτήν,
he went on board of it,
μετὰ δὲ ἀναγαγεῖν ἐκέλευε ἐς τὸ πέλαγος·
and then he bade them to put out into the deep sea.
ὡς δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς νήσου ἑκὰς ἐγένετο,
And when he was far from the island,
περιελόμενος τὴν σφρηγῖδα
having taken off the signet-ring,
πάντων ὁρώντων τῶν συμπλόων
seeing it all who were with him in the ship
ῥίπτει ἐς τὸ πέλαγος.
he throws it into the sea.
τοῦτο δὲ ποιήσας ἀπέπλεε,
Thus having done he sailed home;
ἀπικόμενος δὲ ἐς τὰ οἰκία
and when he came to his house
συμφορῇ ἐχρᾶτο.
he mourned for his loss.
XLII.
[1] πέμπτῃ δὲ ἢ ἕκτῃ ἡμέρῃ ἀπὸ τούτων
But on the fifth or sixth day after these things
τάδε οἱ συνήνεικε γενέσθαι.
it happened to him as follows:
ἀνὴρ ἁλιεὺς λαβὼν ἰχθὺν μέγαν τε καὶ καλὸν
a fisherman, having caught a large and beautiful fish,
ἠξίου μιν
hought it right that this
Πολυκράτεϊ δῶρον δοθῆναι·
should be given as a gift to Polycrates.
φέρων δὴ ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας
bearing it therefore to the door
Πολυκράτεϊ
(of the palace) of Polycrates
ἔφη ἐθέλειν ἐλθεῖν
he said that he desired to come
ἐς ὄψιν,
into the presence (of Polycrates),
χωρήσαντος δέ οἱ τούτου
and when he had obtained this
ἔλεγε διδοὺς τὸν ἰχθύν
he said, giving him the fish:
[2] «ὦ βασιλεῦ, ἐγὼ τόνδε ἑλὼν
“O king, having taken this (fish)
οὐκ ἐδικαίωσα φέρειν ἐς ἀγορήν,
I did not think fit to bear it to the market,
καίπερ ἐὼν
although being one
ἀποχειροβίοτος,
who lives by the labour of his hands;
ἀλλά μοι ἐδόκεε σεῦ τε εἶναι ἄξιος
but it seemed to me that it was worthy of you
καὶ τῆς σῆς ἀρχῆς·
and of your monarchy:
σοὶ δή μιν φέρων δίδωμι.»
therefore bringing it to you I give it.”
ὁ δὲ ἡσθεὶς τοῖσι ἔπεσι
He then, being pleased at these words,
ἀμείβεται τοῖσιδε.
answered with this:
«κάρτα τε εὖ ἐποίησας
“You did exceedingly well,
καὶ χάρις διπλῆ τῶν τε λόγων
and double thanks for your words
καὶ τοῦ δώρου,
and for your gift;
καί σε ἐπὶ δεῖπνον καλέομεν.»
and we invite you to dinner.”
[3] ὃ μὲν δὴ ἁλιεὺς
The fisherman then,
μέγα ποιεύμενος ταῦτα
thinking this a great thing,
ἤιε ἐς τὰ οἰκία,
went to this house;
τὸν δὲ ἰχθὺν τάμνοντες
as they were cutting up the fish
οἱ θεράποντες εὑρίσκουσι
the servants find
ἐν τῇ νηδύι αὐτοῦ ἐνεοῦσαν
in its belly being
τὴν Πολυκράτεος σφρηγῖδα.
the signet-ring of Polycrates.
[4] ὡς δὲ εἶδόν τε καὶ ἔλαβον τάχιστα,
Then as soon as they had seen it and taken it up,
ἔφερον κεχαρηκότες παρὰ τὸν Πολυκράτεα,
they bore it rejoicing to Polycrates,
διδόντες δέ οἱ τὴν σφρηγῖδα
and giving him the signet-ring
ἔλεγον ὅτεῳ τρόπῳ εὑρέθη.
they told in what manner it had been found;
τὸν δὲ ὡς ἐσῆλθε
when came into his mind
θεῖον εἶναι τὸ πρῆγμα,
that the matter was of God,
γράφει ἐς βυβλίον
writes upon paper,
πάντα τὰ ποιήσαντά μιν
when he had done all
οἷα καταλελάβηκε,
all that had happened to him;
γράψας δὲ ἐς Αἴγυπτον ἐπέθηκε.
and having written it he has sent it to Egypt.
XLIII.
[1] ἐπιλεξάμενος δὲ ὁ Ἄμασις τὸ βυβλίον
Then Amasis, when he had read the paper
τὸ παρὰ τοῦ Πολυκράτεος ἧκον,
that coming from Polycrates,
ἔμαθε ὅτι ἐκκομίσαι τε ἀδύνατον εἴη ἀνθρώπῳ ἄνθρωπον
understood that it was impossible for man to rescue man
ἐκ τοῦ μέλλοντος γίνεσθαι πρήγματος,
from the event which was to come to pass,
καὶ ὅτι οὐκ εὖ τελευτήσειν μέλλοι Πολυκράτης
and that Polycrates would not have a good end
εὐτυχέων τὰ πάντα,
being prosperous in all things,
ὃς καὶ τὰ ἀποβάλλει εὑρίσκει.
he who found again even that which he cast away.
[2] πέμψας δέ οἱ κήρυκα ἐς Σάμον
Having sent an envoy to him in Samos
διαλύεσθαι ἔφη τὴν ξεινίην.
he said to break off the guest-friendship;
τοῦδε δὲ εἵνεκεν ταῦτα ἐποίεε,
and this is why he did that,
ἵνα μὴ
in order that not,
συντυχίης δεινῆς τε καὶ μεγάλης
when a fearful and great misfortune
Πολυκράτεα καταλαβούσης
had hit Polycrates,
αὐτὸς ἀλγήσειε τὴν ψυχὴν
he might himself be grieved in his soul
ὡς περὶ ξείνου ἀνδρός.
as for a man who was his guest.
Polykrates and Oroites
Herodotus III, 120 – 125
CXX.
[1] κατὰ δέ κου μάλιστα τὴν Καμβύσεω νοῦσον
More or less about the time of Cambyses’ sickness
ἐγίνετο τάδε.
happened the following.
ὑπὸ Κύρου κατασταθεὶς ἦν
Through Kyros had been appointed
Σαρδίων ὕπαρχος Ὀροίτης ἀνὴρ Πέρσης·
head of Sardis Oroites, a Persian man;
οὗτος ἐπεθύμησε πρήγματος οὐκ ὁσίου·
This man conceived a thing unholy.
οὔτε γάρ τι παθὼν
For not having suffered something
οὔτε ἀκούσας μάταιον ἔπος
and not having heard an idle word
πρὸς Πολυκράτεος τοῦ Σαμίου,
from Polykrates the Samian,
οὐδὲ ἰδὼν πρότερον,
and not having seen him before,
ἐπεθύμεε λαβὼν αὐτὸν ἀπολέσαι,
he wished, having seized him, to kill him.
ὡς μὲν οἱ πλεῦνες λέγουσι,
as most people say
διὰ τοιήνδε τινὰ αἰτίην.
arising from this motive.
[2] ἐπὶ τῶν βασιλέος θυρέων κατήμενον
In the gate of the kings palace sitting,
τόν τε Ὀροίτεα καὶ ἄλλον Πέρσην
Oroites and an other Persian,
τῷ οὔνομα εἶναι Μιτροβάτεα,
who had the name Mitrobates,
ἄρχοντα τοῦ ἐν Δασκυλείῳ,
a ruler of (the people) in Daskuleion,
τούτους ἐκ λόγων
(people say that) they from talking
ἐς νείκεα συμπεσεῖν,
to quarrelling fell,
κρινομένων δὲ περὶ ἀρετῆς
(and that) comparing their merits
εἰπεῖν τὸν Μιτροβάτεα τῷ Ὀροίτῃ προφέροντα
Mitrobates said to Oroites reproachfully:
[3] «σὺ γὰρ ἐν ἀνδρῶν λόγῳ,
Sure you are in the number of men,
ὃς βασιλέι νῆσον Σάμον οὐ προσεκτήσαο,
you, who did not obtain for the king
the island of Samos,
ὧδε δή τι ἐοῦσαν εὐπετέα χειρωθῆναι,
being so easy to be conquered,
τὴν τῶν τις ἐπιχωρίων
that someone of the natives
πεντεκαίδεκα ὁπλίτῃσι
with fifteen armed men
ἐπαναστὰς ἔσχε
having revolted possessed,
καὶ νῦν αὐτῆς τυραννεύει;»
and over which he rules now.
[4] οἳ μὲν δή μιν φασὶ τοῦτο ἀκούσαντα
Some say that he, having heard this
καὶ ἀλγήσαντα τῷ ὀνείδεϊ ἐπιθυμῆσαι
and being stung by the reproach, desired
οὐκ οὕτω τὸν εἴπαντα ταῦτα τίσασθαι
not so much to take vengeance on him who said this,
ὡς Πολυκράτεα πάντως ἀπολέσαι,
as to bring Polycrates at all costs to destruction
δι᾽ ὅντινα κακῶς ἤκουσε.
by reason of whom he was ill spoken of.
CXXI.
[1] οἱ δὲ ἐλάσσονες λέγουσι
the lesser number however say
πέμψαι Ὀροίτεα ἐς Σάμον κήρυκα
that Oroites sent to Samos a herald
ὅτευ δὴ χρήματος δεησόμενον
to ask for something or other,
(οὐ γὰρ ὦν δὴ τοῦτό γε λέγεται),
(for what it was is not mentioned)
καὶ τὸν Πολυκράτεα τυχεῖν
(and they say that) Polycrates happened to be
κατακείμενον ἐν ἀνδρεῶνι,
lying down in the men’s chamber,
παρεῖναι δέ οἱ καὶ Ἀνακρέοντα τὸν Τήιον·
and that was present with him also Anacreon of Teos.
[2] καί κως εἴτ᾽ ἐκ προνοίης
and somehow, whether it was by intention
αὐτὸν κατηλογέοντα τὰ Ὀροίτεω πρήγματα,
and because he made no account of the business of Oroites,
εἴτε καὶ συντυχίη τις τοιαύτη ἐπεγένετο·
or whether some chance occurred,
τόν τε γὰρ κήρυκα τὸν Ὀροίτεω παρελθόντα
it happened that the envoy of Oroites, having come forward,
διαλέγεσθαι, καὶ τὸν Πολυκράτεα
spoke with him, and that Polycrates,
(τυχεῖν γὰρ ἀπεστραμμένον πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον)
(who chanced to be turned away towards the wall),
οὔτε τι μεταστραφῆναι οὔτε ὑποκρίνασθαι.
neither turned round at all nor made any answer.
CXXII.
[1] αἰτίαι μὲν δὴ αὗται διφάσιαι λέγονται
The causes are reported to be twofold,
τοῦ θανάτου τοῦ Πολυκράτεος γενέσθαι,
(the causes) of the death of Polycrates
πάρεστι δὲ πείθεσθαι ὁκοτέρῃ τις βούλεται αὐτέων.
and it is possible to believe whichever one pleases.
ὁ δὲ ὦν Ὀροίτης ἱζόμενος ἐν Μαγνησίῃ
Oroites, having his residence in Magnesia
τῇ ὑπὲρ Μαιάνδρου ποταμοῦ οἰκημένῃ
which is situated aross the river Maiander,
ἔπεμπε Μύρσον τὸν Γύγεω ἄνδρα Λυδὸν
sent Myrsos the son of Gyges, a Lydian man,
ἐς Σάμον ἀγγελίην φέροντα,
to Samos bearing a message,
μαθὼν τοῦ Πολυκράτεος τὸν νόον.
since he had perceived the designs of Polycrates.
[2] Πολυκράτης γὰρ ἐστὶ πρῶτος
For Polycrates is the first
τῶν ἡμεῖς ἴδμεν Ἑλλήνων
of the Hellenes of whom we have any knowledge,
ὃς θαλασσοκρατέειν ἐπενοήθη,
who set his mind upon having command of the sea,
πάρεξ Μίνωός τε τοῦ Κνωσσίου
excepting Minos the Cnossian
καὶ εἰ δή τις ἄλλος πρότερος τούτου
and if any other before him
ἦρξε τῆς θαλάσσης·
had command of the sea.
τῆς δὲ ἀνθρωπηίης λεγομένης γενεῆς
But of the known human race
Πολυκράτης πρῶτος,
Polycrates was the first,
ἐλπίδας πολλὰς ἔχων Ἰωνίης
having great expectation of Ionia
τε καὶ νήσων ἄρξειν.
and of the islands to be the ruler.
[3] μαθὼν ὦν ταῦτά μιν διανοεύμενον ὁ Ὀροίτης
Oroites accordingly, having perceived that he had this design,
πέμψας ἀγγελίην ἔλεγε τάδε.
having sent a message said this:
«Ὀροίτης Πολυκράτεϊ ὧδε λέγει.
“Oroites to Polycrates sais as follows:
πυνθάνομαι ἐπιβουλεύειν σε πρήγμασι μεγάλοισι,
I hear that you are aiming at great affairs,
καὶ χρήματά τοι οὐκ εἶναι
and that you do not have the money
κατὰ τὰ φρονήματα.
according to your purpose.
σύ νυν ὧδε ποιήσας
You now will, having done so,
ὀρθώσεις μὲν σεωυτόν,
bring to a happy end yourself,
σώσεις δὲ καὶ ἐμέ·
and will save me also.
ἐμοὶ γὰρ βασιλεὺς Καμβύσης ἐπιβουλεύει θάνατον,
For king Kambyses is planning the death for me,
καί μοι τοῦτο ἐξαγγέλλεται σαφηνέως.
and this is reported to me clearly.
[4] σύ νυν ἐμὲ ἐκκομίσας αὐτὸν καὶ χρήματα,
Now having saved both myself and my wealth,
τὰ μὲν αὐτῶν αὐτὸς ἔχε,
of this keep a part for yourself
τὰ δὲ ἐμὲ ἔα ἔχειν·
and an other part let me keep;
εἵνεκέν τε χρημάτων
by force of that wealth
ἄρξεις ἁπάσης τῆς Ἑλλάδος.
you will rule over all Hellas.
εἰ δέ μοι ἀπιστέεις τὰ περὶ τῶν χρημάτων,
If you don’t believe me about the wealth,
πέμψον ὅστις τοι πιστότατος
send who for you the most faithful
τυγχάνει ἐών,
happens to be,
ῷ ἐγὼ ἀποδέξω.»
to him I will show it.”
CXXIII. [1] ταῦτα ἀκούσας
Having heard that
Πολυκράτης ἥσθη τε καὶ ἐβούλετο·
Polycrates rejoiced, and was disposed to agree;
καί κως ἱμείρετο γὰρ χρημάτων μεγάλως,
and because he in a way desired for wealth greatly
ἀποπέμπει πρῶτα κατοψόμενον
he sent first to see it
Μαιάνδριον Μαιανδρίου
Maiandrios the son of Maiandrios,
ἄνδρα τῶν ἀστῶν,
a man of the citizens,
ὅς οἱ ἦν γραμματιστής·
who for him was a secretary.
ὃς χρόνῳ οὐ πολλῷ ὕστερον τούτων
Who not much time after these events
τὸν κόσμον τὸν ἐκ τοῦ ἀνδρεῶνος τοῦ Πολυκράτεος ἐόντα
the ornaments being of the men’s chamber of Polycrates,
ἀξιοθέητον ἀνέθηκε πάντα ἐς τὸ Ἥραιον.
well worth seeing, dedicated all to the temple of Hera.
[2] ὁ δὲ Ὀροίτης μαθὼν
Oroites, having heard
τὸν κατάσκοπον ἐόντα προσδόκιμον
the scout being soon to come,
ἐποίεε τοιάδε·
did this.
λάρνακας ὀκτὼ πληρώσας λίθων
eight coffins having filled with stones
πλὴν κάρτα βραχέος τοῦ περὶ αὐτὰ τὰ χείλεα,
except a small depth at the very top of each,
ἐπιπολῆς τῶν λίθων χρυσὸν ἐπέβαλε,
above upon the stones he laid gold;
καταδήσας δὲ τὰς λάρνακας εἶχε ἑτοίμας.
having tied up the coffins he kept them in readiness.
ἐλθὼν δὲ ὁ Μαιάνδριος καὶ θεησάμενος
So Maiandrios, having come and having looked,
ἀπήγγελλε τῷ Πολυκράτεϊ.
reported to Polycrates.
CXXIV.
[1] ὁ δὲ πολλὰ μὲν τῶν μαντίων
And he, although the diviners strongly
ἀπαγορευόντων
dissuaded him (from it),
πολλὰ δὲ τῶν φίλων
and also his friends,
ἐστέλλετο αὐτόσε,
prepared to set out there,
πρὸς δὲ καὶ ἰδούσης τῆς θυγατρὸς
and moreover in spite of his daughter having seen
ὄψιν ἐνυπνίου τοιήνδε·
this kind of vision in her sleep;
ἐδόκεε οἷ τὸν πατέρα
it seemed to her that her father,
ἐν τῷ ἠέρι μετέωρον ἐόντα
being high in the air,
λοῦσθαι μὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Διός,
was bathed by Zeus
χρίεσθαι δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἡλίου.
and anointed by the sun.
2] ταύτην ἰδοῦσα τὴν ὄψιν
Having seen this vision
παντοίη ἐγίνετο μὴ ἀποδημῆσαι
she did everything to dissuade him from leaving his land,
τὸν Πολυκράτεα παρὰ τὸν Ὀροίτεα,
Polycrates, to Oroites,
καὶ δὴ καὶ ἰόντος αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν πεντηκόντερον
and as he was going to his fifty-oared galley
ἐπεφημίζετο. ὁ δέ οἱ ἠπείλησε,
she foretelled bad omens; and he threatened her that
ἢν σῶς ἀπονοστήσῃ,
if he should return safe,
πολλόν μιν χρόνον παρθενεύεσθαι.
she much time should remain unmarried;
ἣ δὲ ἠρήσατο ἐπιτελέα ταῦτα γενέσθαι·
but she prayed that this might come to pass,
βούλεσθαι γὰρ παρθενεύεσθαι πλέω χρόνον
for she liked rather to be unmarried more time
ἢ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐστερῆσθαι.
than having lost her father.
CXXV.
[1] Πολυκράτης δὲ πάσης συμβουλίης ἀλογήσας
Polycrates however, every counsel having neglected,
ἔπλεε παρὰ τὸν Ὀροίτεα,
set sail to Oroites,
ἅμα ἀγόμενος ἄλλους τε πολλοὺς τῶν ἑταίρων,
taking with him many others of his friends,
ἐν δὲ δὴ καὶ Δημοκήδεα, τὸν Καλλιφῶντος
also Demokedes the son of Calliphon,
Κροτωνιήτην ἄνδρα, ἰητρόν τε ἐόντα
a man of Croton, who was a physician.
καὶ τὴν τέχνην ἀσκέοντα ἄριστα τῶν κατ᾽ ἑωυτόν.
and his art practising as the best of the men of his time.
[2] ἀπικόμενος δὲ ἐς τὴν Μαγνησίην
Having arrived at Magnesia
ὁ Πολυκράτης διεφθάρη κακῶς,
Polycrates was miserably put to death,
οὔτε ἑωυτοῦ ἀξίως
(in a manner) neither worthy of himself
οὔτε τῶν ἑωυτοῦ φρονημάτων·
nor of his high ambitions;
ὅτι γὰρ μὴ οἱ Συρηκοσίων γενόμενοι τύραννοι
for neither those who became despots of the Syracusans
οὐδὲ εἷς τῶν ἄλλων Ἑλληνικῶν τυράννων
nor one of the other Hellenic despots
ἄξιος ἐστὶ Πολυκράτεϊ μεγαλοπρεπείην συμβληθῆναι.
is worthy to be compared with Polycrates in magnificence.
[3] ἀποκτείνας δέ μιν οὐκ ἀξίως
Having killed him in an unworthy manner
ἀπηγήσιος Ὀροίτης ἀνεσταύρωσε·
they say Oroites crucified him.
τῶν δέ οἱ ἑπομένων
and of those who accompanied him,
ὅσοι μὲν ἦσαν Σάμιοι, ἀπῆκε,
as many as were Samians he released,
κελεύων σφέας ἑωυτῷ χάριν εἰδέναι ἐόντας ἐλευθέρους,
bidding them to be grateful to him, being free men;
ὅσοι δὲ ἦσαν ξεῖνοί τε καὶ δοῦλοι τῶν ἑπομένων,
but all those who were either allies or servants of his company
ἐν ἀνδραπόδων λόγῳ ποιεύμενος εἶχε.
holding in the number of slaves he kept them.
[4] Πολυκράτης δὲ ἀνακρεμάμενος
Polycrates then being hung up
ἐπετέλεε πᾶσαν τὴν ὄψιν τῆς θυγατρός·
accomplished the whole vision of his daughter,
ἐλοῦτο μὲν γὰρ ὑπὸ τοῦ Διὸς ὅκως ὕοι,
for he was bathed by Zeus whenever it rained,
ἐχρίετο δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἡλίου,
and anointed by the Sun,
ἀνιεὶς αὐτὸς ἐκ τοῦ σώματος ἰκμάδα.
giving forth himself moisture from his body.
Πολυκράτεος μὲν δὴ αἱ πολλαὶ εὐτυχίαι
Polycrates’ great prosperity
ἐς τοῦτο ἐτελεύτησαν
came to this end
τῇ οἱ Ἄμασις ὁ Αἰγύπτου βασιλεὺς προεμαντεύσατο.
as Amasis the king of Egypt had foretold to him.
