Histories

Croesus, then, aware of all this, sent messengers to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta with gifts to ask for an alliance, having instructed them what to say. They came and said:

“Croesus, King of Lydia [27.516,38.683] (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Lydia and other nations, has sent us with this message: ‘Lacedaemonians, the god has declared that I should make the Greek my friend; now, therefore, since I learn that you are the leaders of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, I invite you, as the oracle bids; I would like to be your friend and ally, without deceit or guile.’”

Croesus proposed this through his messengers; and the Lacedaemonians, who had already heard of the oracle given to Croesus, welcomed the coming of the Lydians and swore to be his friends and allies; and indeed they were obliged by certain benefits which they had received before from the king.

For the Lacedaemonians had sent to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis to buy gold, intending to use it for the statue of Apollo which now stands on Thornax [*](A mountain north-east of Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, overlooking the Eurotas valley.) in Laconia [22.583,37] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Laconia; and Croesus, when they offered to buy it, made them a free gift of it.

For this reason, and because he had chosen them as his friends before all the other Greeks, the Lacedaemonians accepted the alliance. So they declared themselves ready to serve him when he should require, and moreover they made a bowl of bronze, engraved around the rim outside with figures, and large enough to hold twenty-seven hundred gallons, and brought it with the intention of making a gift in return to Croesus.

This bowl never reached Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, for which two reasons are given: the Lacedaemonians say that when the bowl was near Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos on its way to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, the Samians descended upon them in warships and carried it off;