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It seems that in the midst of his prosperity, his friend and ally, the King of Egypt for these events, though narrated here, occurred before the invasion of Egypt by Cambyses sent to him a letter, of which the following is the purport. "Amasis, king of Egypt, to Polycrates.
Unfortunately for the Egyptians, Amasis died while the Persian army was on its march, and the task of opposing it fell to his young and inexperienced son. The Greek mercenaries fought bravely, but to no purpose: the battle of Pelusium gave Egypt to the invader, Memphis was taken, and the Pharaoh put to death. In the long struggle between Asia and Egypt, Asia had been finally the victor.
If thou compell'st me to forget that the gods appointed thee to be my father if I can hope for no help from thee, then I will resort to my own weapons." "I am curious to learn what these may be." "And I need not conceal them. Know then that the oculist Nebenchari is in our power." Amasis turned pale.
"Say rather," answered Amasis rising from his seat, "we, with our Greek minds, believe a beautiful life to be the highest good. But Croesus, I was begotten and nursed by Egyptian parents, nourished on Egyptian food, and though I have accepted much that is Greek, am still, in my innermost being, an Egyptian.
I must confess that I owe Amasis no grudge for his conduct to me, on the contrary I pity him. You should have heard how he, the powerful king, complained that he could never act according to his own wishes, that even in his most private affairs he was crossed and compromised by the priests and their influence. But for the sake of the priests he dare not leave me unpunished.
"Amasis does not interfere, and says it matters little whether his place be filled a few days sooner or later by his successor.
Cambyses was standing before her, and behind, hardly visible in the dim light, Nebenchari, the Egyptian oculist. As Nitetis entered, Cambyses came towards her and led her to his mother. The daughter of Amasis fell on her knees before this venerable woman, and kissed her hand with real affection.
These priests make the king's life burdensome to him; they persecute and injure us in every possible way; and indeed, if it had not been for the king's protection, I should long ago have been a dead man. But I am wandering from my tale! As I said before, Rhodopis was received at Naukratis with open arms by all, and loaded with marks of favor by Amasis, who formed her acquaintance.
Some of the king's own relations, are among the number, the aged Croesus, king of Lydia, too; we shall behold a marvellous splendor and magnificence! Nobody knows the object of their coming, but it is supposed that King Cambyses wishes to conclude an alliance with Amasis; indeed some say the king solicits the hand of Pharaoh's daughter."
The Egyptian started again, but Phanes went on without appearing to notice his emotion: "I know more than you suppose. Nitetis is the daughter of Hophra, Amasis' dethroned predecessor.
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