Histories

These are the two reasons alleged for Polycrates' death; believe whichever you like. But the consequence was that Oroetes, then at Magnesia ad Meander [27.416,37.833] (deserted settlement), Aydin Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, AsiaMagnesia which is above the river +Buyukmenderes Nehri [27.183,37.466] (river), Turkey, Asia Maeander, sent Myrsus son of Gyges, a Lydian, with a message to +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos, having learned Polycrates' intention;

for Polycrates was the first of the Greeks whom we know to aim at the mastery of the sea, leaving out of account Minos of +Knossos [25.166,35.3] (deserted settlement), Iraklion, Crete, Greece, Europe Cnossus and any others who before him may have ruled the sea; of what may be called the human race Polycrates was the first, and he had great hope of ruling Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia and the Islands.

Learning then that he had this intention, Oroetes sent him this message: “Oroetes addresses Polycrates as follows: I find that you aim at great things, but that you have not sufficient money for your purpose. Do then as I direct, and you will succeed yourself and will save me. King Cambyses aims at my death; of this I have clear intelligence.

Now if you will transport me and my money, you may take some yourself and let me keep the rest; thus you shall have wealth enough to rule all Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas. If you mistrust what I tell you about the money, send someone who is most trusted by you and I will prove it to him.”