Histories

Herodotus

Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).

Thus spoke the stranger who had come from Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus, and Glaucus received the trust according to the agreement. After a long time had passed, the sons of the man who had deposited the money came to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta; they spoke with Glaucus, showing him the tokens and demanding the money back.

But Glaucus put them off and answered in turn: ‘I do not remember the matter, and nothing of what you say carries my mind back. Let me think; I wish to do all that is just. If I took the money, I will duly restore it; if I never took it at all, I will deal with you according to the customs of the Greeks. I will put off making my decision for you until the fourth month from this day.’

So the Milesians went away in sorrow, as men robbed of their possessions; but Glaucus journeyed to Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi to question the oracle. When he asked the oracle whether he should seize the money under oath, the Pythian priestess threatened him in these verses:

  1. Glaucus son of Epicydes, it is more profitable now
  2. To prevail by your oath and seize the money.
  3. Swear, for death awaits even the man who swears true.
  4. But Oath has a son, nameless; he is without hands
  5. Or feet, but he pursues swiftly, until he catches
  6. And destroys all the family and the entire house.
  7. The line of a man who swears true is better later on.
When Glaucus heard this, he entreated the god to pardon him for what he had said. The priestess answered that to tempt the god and to do the deed had the same effect.

So Glaucus summoned the Milesian strangers and gave them back their money. But hear now, Athenians, why I began to tell you this story: there is today no descendant of Glaucus, nor any household that bears Glaucus' name; he has been utterly rooted out of Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta. So good is it not even to think anything concerning a trust except giving it back on demand!”