Tell
me,
That is Cyrus, Charon, the son of Cambyses, who has already transferred to the Persians the empire that once belonged to the Medes. Moreover, he recently conquered the Assyrians and brought Babylon to terms, and now he appears to be meditating a campaign against Lydia, with the idea of overthrowing Croesus and ruling the world.
And Croesus, where is he ?
Look over there towards the great acropolis with
the triple wall. That is Sardis, and now you see
Croesus himself sitting on a golden throne, talking
with Solon of Athens. Would you like to listen to
what they are saying ?
My friend from Athens, as you have seen my riches, my treasuries, all the bullion that I have and the rest of my splendor, tell me whom do you consider the most fortunate man in the world ?
What will Solon say to that?
Fortunate men are few, Croesus, but I consider
that of all the men I know, the most fortunate are
Cleobis and Biton, the sons of the priestess at Argos,
who died together the other day when they had
harnessed themselves and drawn their mother to the
temple on the wagon.
Tellus of Athens, who lived happily and died for his country.
But what about me, knave? Don’t you think I am fortunate ?
I do not know, Croesus, and shall not until you come to the close of your life. Death is a sure test in such matters, that and a fortunate life right up to the end.
Thank you kindly, Solon, for not forgetting us,
But who are those men
whom Croesus is sending out, and what are they
carrying on their shoulders ?
Is that gold, the bright substance that shines, the pale yellow substance with a cast of red? This is the first time that I have seen it, though I am always hearing of it.
That is it, Charon, the name that they sing of and fight for.
Really I don’t see what good there is about it, except perhaps for one thing, that its bearers find it heavy.
You do not know how many wars there have been on account of it, how many plots, perjuries, murders, imprisonments, trading ventures, and enslavements.
On account of this substance, not much different from bronze? I know bronze, for, as you are aware, I collect an obol from everyone who makes the downward journey.
Yes, but bronze is plentiful, so that they do not
prize it very highly, while this is dug up by the
miners at a great depth in small quantities. It
comes from the earth, however, like lead and the
rest of the metals.
Well, at any rate Solon yonder does not seem to love it, Charon, as you see, for he is laughing at Croesus and his barbarian boastfulness, and to my mind he wants to ask him a question. Let us listen, then.
Tell me, Croesus, do you really think that Apollo has any need of these ingots?
sUS Good Heavens, yes! He has nothing to match them among the votive offerings at Delphi.
Then you expect to make the god happy if he adds ingots of gold to the rest of his possessions ?
Why not?
They are very poor in Heaven from what you say, since they have to send and get gold from Lydia if they want it.
Why, where else can there be as much gold as there is in our country ?
Tell me, is iron produced in Lydia ?
Not to any great extent.
In what way is iron better than gold ?
If you will answer my questions without getting angry, you will find out.
Ask them, Solon.
Who is the better man, the one who saves a life or the one who is saved by him ?
The one who saves a life of course.
Then if Cyrus attacks the Lydians, as rumour has it that he will, shall you get swords of gold made for your army, or will iron be necessary in that case?
Iron, certainly.
Yes, and if you should not provide iron, your gold would go off to Persia in captivity.
Don’t speak of such a thing, man!
I pray it may not turn out that way; but you clearly admit that iron is better than gold.
Then would you have me offer ingots of iron to
the god and call the gold back again ?
You are always at war with my wealth and begrudge me it.