Histories

Oroetes' slaves and other possessions were brought to Shush [48.333,32.2] (inhabited place), Khuzestan, Iran, AsiaSusa. Not long after this, it happened that Darius twisted his foot in dismounting from his horse while hunting

so violently that the ball of the ankle joint was dislocated from its socket. Darius called in the best physicians of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, whom he had until now kept near his person. But by violently twisting the foot they made the injury worse;

and for seven days and nights the king could not sleep because of the pain. On the eighth day, when he was doing poorly, someone who had heard in Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis of the skill of Democedes of +Croton [17.1333,39.0833] (Perseus) Croton told Darius of him; and he told them to bring him as quickly as possible. When they found him among the slaves of Oroetes, where he was forgotten, they brought him along, dragging his chains and dressed in rags.

Darius asked him when he was brought in if he were trained in medicine. He refused to admit it, for he was afraid that if he revealed himself he would be cut off from Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas for good.

It was clear to Darius, however, that he was trained in deceit,[*](Or, that he knew how to practice his art?) and he ordered those who had brought him to bring along scourges and goads. Then he confessed, saying that his training was not exact, but that he had associated with a physician and had a passing acquaintance with medicine.