It was against this ever-victorious Polycrates that the Lacedaemonians now made war, invited by the Samians who afterwards founded +Khania [24.33,35.516] (inhabited place), Canea, Crete, Greece, Europe Cydonia in +Crete [25,35.166] (region), Greece, Europe Crete. Polycrates had without the knowledge of his subjects sent a herald to Cambyses, son of Cyrus, then raising an army against Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, inviting Cambyses to send to +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos too and request men from him.

At this message Cambyses very readily sent to +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos, asking Polycrates to send a fleet to aid him against Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt. Polycrates chose those men whom he most suspected of planning a rebellion against him, and sent them in forty triremes, directing Cambyses not to send the men back.