Histories

for Darius had coined money out of gold refined to an extreme purity,[*](The gold coins called dareikoi/ are said to contain only 3 percent of alloy.) and Aryandes, then ruling Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, made a similar silver coinage; and now there is no silver money so pure as is the Aryandic. But when Darius heard that Aryandes was doing so, he put him to death, not on this charge but as a rebel.

At this time, Aryandes took pity on Pheretime and gave her all the Egyptian land and sea forces, appointing Amasis, a Maraphian, general of the army, and Badres of the tribe of the +Pasargadae (deserted settlement), Fars, Iran, Asia Pasargadae, admiral of the fleet.

But before despatching the troops, Aryandes sent a herald to +Al Marj [20.833,32.5] (inhabited place), Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya, Africa Barce to ask who it was who had killed Arcesilaus. The Barcaeans answered that it was the deed of the whole city, for the many wrongs that Arcesilaus had done them; when he heard this, Aryandes sent his troops with Pheretime.

This was the pretext; but I myself think that the troops were sent to subjugate Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya. For the Libyan tribes are many and of different kinds, and though a few of them were the king's subjects, the greater part cared nothing for Darius.

Now, concerning the lands inhabited by Libyans, the Adyrmachidae are the people that live nearest to Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt; they follow Egyptian customs for the most part, but dress like other Libyans. Their women wear twisted bronze ornaments on both legs; their hair is long; each catches her own lice, then bites and throws them away.

They are the only Libyans that do this, and who show the king all virgins that are to be married; the king then takes the virginity of whichever of these pleases him. These Adyrmachidae extend from Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt to the harbor called Plynus.