took place in consequence, and Arcesilaus was obliged to take refuge
in Samos, while his mother, Pheretime, went over to Cyprus, in order
to implore the assistance of Euelthon, who reigned at that time in
the island. The suppliant queen was received with great courtesy,
and Euelthon made her several valuable presents ; but Pheretime,’
while expressing her thanks for these attentions, suggested that an
army, Which might accompany her to Eyrene, and avenge the wrongs
which her family and herselfhad sustained from thepeoplè of thé city,
Would be a much more desirable gift. Euelthon, however, adhered
to the line of conduct by which he had hitherto been regulated, which
was that of a strict neutrality ; and sent the queen a distaff and spindle
Of gold, assuring her that he was acting with much more consideration
towards a f e m a l e , in making her a similar offering, than if he had presented
her with an army. Arcesilaus, in this interval, had collected
an army in Samos ; and went to Delphi to consult the Oracle on the
probable consequence of his return to Eyrene. The answer was, as
usual, mysterious ; and predicted his death if certain events should
take place Which he was enjoined to avoid ; at the same time he was
advised to return to his dominions, and adopt conciliatory measures.
On recovering his possessions, Arcesilaus neglected the prudent
advice of the Pythia, and commenced a vigorous persecution of those
Whose revolt had occasioned his flight from Eyrene. Some of them
contrived to escape his resentment ; but a party of the fugitives who
had taken refuge in a toWer, were burnt there by order Of the king,
who caused his people to set fire to the building. In this act, one
of the injunctions had been neglected, on observing which the life
of Arcesilaus depended ; and he was afterward# assassinated in thé
markèt-place at Barca, together with Alazir, the king of The. place,
whose daughter lie had taken; for his wife.. The queen Pheretime
had established her son’s authority in Eyrene; but 011 hearing of bis
death, she fléd immediately to Egypt, and persuaded Aryandes, who
at that time commanded there as viceroy of, Darius Hysfaspis, to
march an army against the Barceans. Before proceeding to extremities,
Aryandes despatched a messenger to the people of Barca,
desiring to be informed, if they really had been guilty of the death
of Arcesilaus. On their acknowledging the act, he set his army in
motion, and gave the command of it to Amasis, while a fleet at the
same time was entrusted to Badres, and both proceeded to take
vengeance of the assassins. After a long and ineffectual siege, Barca
was entered by treachery : and Amasis, who had passed his word to
spare the lives of the Barceans, gave them over to the vengeariçe of
Pheretime ; by whom all who were concerned in the murder of her
son were put to death in thé most inhuman manner. ; The city was
plundered by the Persian army, and the lives and property of those
persons only were respéeted, who had been averse to the murder of
Arcesilaus.
Their object accomplished, the Persians returned to Egypt*,
leaving Barca, by desire of Pheretime, in possession of those who had
* This army is said by Herodotus to have penetrated farther to the westward ; and
the historian believes (what .is extremely probable) that the Persians had views on other
parts of Eibya, besides that possessed by the people of Barca ; and th a t the army of
Amasis was intended to reconnoitre the cohntry, if not to reduce it to subjection.