Histories

Then Darius summoned those Indians who are called Callatiae,[*](Apparently from Sanskrit kala=black.) who eat their parents, and asked them (the Greeks being present and understanding through interpreters what was said) what would make them willing to burn their fathers at death. The Indians cried aloud, that he should not speak of so horrid an act. So firmly rooted are these beliefs; and it is, I think, rightly said in Pindar's poem that custom is lord of all.[*](no/mos o( pa/ntwn basileu\s qnatw=n te kai\ a)qana/twn; quoted in Plato's Gorgias from an otherwise unknown poem of Pindar.)

While Cambyses was attacking Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, the Lacedaemonians too were making war upon Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos and upon Aeaces' son Polycrates, who had revolted and won Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos.[*](Probably in 532 B.C.)

And first, dividing the city into three parts, he gave a share in the government to his brothers Pantagnotus and Syloson; but presently he put one of them to death, banished the younger, Syloson, and so made himself lord of all Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos; then he made a treaty with Amasis king of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, sending to him and receiving from him gifts.

Very soon after this, Polycrates grew to such power that he was famous in Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia and all other Greek lands; for all his military affairs succeeded. He had a hundred fifty-oared ships, and a thousand archers.

And he pillaged every place, indiscriminately; for he said that he would get more thanks if he gave a friend back what he had taken than if he never took it at all. He had taken many of the islands, and many of the mainland cities. Among others, he conquered the Lesbians; they had brought all their force to aid the Milesians, and Polycrates defeated them in a sea-fight; it was they who, being his captives, dug all the trench around the acropolis of Samos [26.966,37.766] (inhabited place), Nisos Samos, Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, EuropeSamos.

Now Amasis was somehow aware of Polycrates' great good fortune; and as this continued to increase greatly, he wrote this letter and sent it to +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos: “Amasis addresses Polycrates as follows.