Histories

The Alcmeonidae had been men of renown at Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens even in the old days, and from the time of Alcmeon [*](Alcmeon ‘flourished’ about 590; Croesus' reign was 560-546; it was Megacles son of Alcmeon, and not Alcmeon himself, who was Croesus' contemporary.) and then Megacles their renown increased.

When the Lydians from Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis came from Croesus to the Delphic oracle, Alcmeon son of Megacles worked with them and zealously aided them; when Croesus heard from the Lydians who visited the oracle of Alcmeon's benefits to him, he summoned Alcmeon to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, and there made him a gift of as much gold as he could carry away at one time on his person.

Considering the nature of the gift, Alcmeon planned and employed this device: he donned a wide tunic, leaving a deep fold in it, and put on the most spacious boots that he could find, then went into the treasury to which they led him.

Falling upon a heap of gold-dust, first he packed next to his legs as much gold as his boots would contain; then he filled all the fold of his tunic with gold and strewed the dust among the hair of his head, and took more of it into his mouth; when he came out of the treasury, hardly dragging the weight of his boots, he was like anything rather than a human being, with his mouth crammed full and all his body swollen.

Croesus burst out laughing at the sight and gave him all the gold he already had and that much more again. Thus the family grew very rich; Alcmeon came to keep four-horse chariots and won with them at Olympia [21.6333,37.65] (Perseus)Olympia.