Histories

So the last in line, Psammetichus, as he had no vessel, took off his bronze helmet and held it out and poured the libation with it. All the kings were accustomed to wear helmets, and were then helmeted;

it was not in guile, then, that Psammetichus held out his headgear; but the rest perceived what Psammetichus had done, and remembered the oracle that promised the sovereignty of all Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt to whoever poured a libation from a vessel of bronze; therefore, though they considered Psammetichus not deserving of death (for they examined him and found that he had acted without intent), they decided to strip him of most of his power and to chase him away into the marshes, and that he was not to concern himself with the rest of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt.

This Psammetichus had formerly been in exile in +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria, where he had fled from Sabacos the Ethiopian, who killed his father Necos; then, when the Ethiopian departed because of what he saw in a dream, the Egyptians of the district of Saïs brought him back from +Syria [38,35] (nation), Asia Syria.

Psammetichus was king for the second time when he found himself driven away into the marshes by the eleven kings because of the helmet.

Believing, therefore, that he had been abused by them, he meant to be avenged on those who had expelled him. He sent to inquire in the town of +Kawm al-Farain [30.733,31.2] (deserted settlement), Kafr ash-Shaykh, Lower Egypt, Egypt, Africa Buto, where the most infallible oracle in Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt is; the oracle answered that he would have vengeance when he saw men of bronze coming from the sea.