Histories

for Darius had coined money out of gold refined to an extreme purity,[*](The gold coins called dareikoi/ are said to contain only 3 percent of alloy.) and Aryandes, then ruling Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, made a similar silver coinage; and now there is no silver money so pure as is the Aryandic. But when Darius heard that Aryandes was doing so, he put him to death, not on this charge but as a rebel.

At this time, Aryandes took pity on Pheretime and gave her all the Egyptian land and sea forces, appointing Amasis, a Maraphian, general of the army, and Badres of the tribe of the +Pasargadae (deserted settlement), Fars, Iran, Asia Pasargadae, admiral of the fleet.

But before despatching the troops, Aryandes sent a herald to +Al Marj [20.833,32.5] (inhabited place), Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya, Africa Barce to ask who it was who had killed Arcesilaus. The Barcaeans answered that it was the deed of the whole city, for the many wrongs that Arcesilaus had done them; when he heard this, Aryandes sent his troops with Pheretime.

This was the pretext; but I myself think that the troops were sent to subjugate Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya. For the Libyan tribes are many and of different kinds, and though a few of them were the king's subjects, the greater part cared nothing for Darius.