Histories

The men of this clan, finding that none of their children lived, set up a temple of the avenging spirits of Laïus and Oedipus, by the instruction of an oracle,[*](Oedipus, son of Laius king of Thebes [23.3333,38.325] (Perseus) Thebes and his wife Iocasta, was exposed in infancy, but rescued and carried away to a far country. Returning in manhood, ignorant of his lineage, he killed his father and married his mother; after which the truth was revealed to him, too late. The story is first told by Homer, and is the subject of the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles.) after which their children lived. It fared thus, too, with the children of the Aegidae at +Thera [25.433,36.4] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Thera.

So far in the story the Lacedaemonian and Theraean records agree; for the rest, we have only the word of the Theraeans.

Grinnus son of Aesanius, king of +Thera [25.433,36.4] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Thera, a descendant of this same Theras, came to Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi bringing a hecatomb from his city; among others of his people, Battus son of Polymnestus came with him, a descendant of Euphemus of the Minyan clan.

When Grinnus king of +Thera [25.433,36.4] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Thera asked the oracle about other matters, the priestess' answer was that he should found a city in Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya. “Lord, I am too old and heavy to stir; command one of these younger men to do this,” answered Grinnus, pointing to Battus as he spoke.

No more was said then. But when they departed, they neglected to obey the oracle, since they did not know where Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya was, and were afraid to send a colony out to an uncertain destination.

For seven years after this there was no rain in +Thera [25.433,36.4] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Thera; all the trees in the island except one withered. The Theraeans inquired at Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi again, and the priestess mentioned the colony they should send to Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya.