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Updated: May 28, 2025
When he found, at length, that his hold upon the guards was sufficiently strong, he produced his two final decrees, one ordering the guards to depose Oretes from his power, and the other to behead him. Both the commands were obeyed.
At last, when Polycrates went to Sardis, as is related in the last chapter, to receive the treasures of Oretes, and concert with him the plans for their proposed campaigns, Democedes accompanied him as usual; and when Polycrates was slain, and his attendants and followers were made captive by Oretes, the unfortunate physician was among the number.
The result, however, corresponded with these predictions of Amasis, if they were really made; for it was soon after these events that the conversation took place at Sardis between Oretes and Mitrobates, at the gates of the palace, which led Oretes to determine on effecting Polycrates's destruction.
The messenger went back to Polycrates, and reported that all which Oretes had said was true; and Polycrates then determined to go to the main land himself to pay Oretes a visit, that they might mature together their plans for the intended campaigns. He ordered a fifty-oared galley to be prepared to convey him. His daughter felt a presentiment, it seems, that some calamity was impending.
In executing the plans which he thus formed, Oretes had not the courage and energy necessary for an open attack on Polycrates, and he consequently resolved on attempting to accomplish his end by treachery and stratagem. The plan which he devised was this: He sent a messenger to Polycrates with a letter of the following purport: "Oretes, governor of Sardis, to Polycrates of Samos.
Fears of Polycrates's daughter. Oretes murders Polycrates. He commits other murders. Oretes destroys Darius's messenger. Darius is incensed. Plan of Darius for punishing Oretes. His proposal. Commission of Bagæus. His plan. Oretes beheaded. Divisions of Darius's empire. Tribute of the satrapies. The white horses. The gold of India. Mode of gathering it. The wonderful ants. Their prodigious size.
Polycrates was much pleased at the prospect of a large accession to his funds, and he sent the messenger, as Oretes had proposed. Oretes prepared to receive him by filling a large number of boxes nearly full with heavy stones, and then placing a shallow layer of gold or silver coin at the top.
Oretes was the name of one of these governors in the time of Darius. He had been placed by Cyrus, some years before, in charge of one of the provinces into which the kingdom of Lydia had been divided. We will relate an account of one of the deeds which he performed some time before Darius ascended the throne, and which sufficiently illustrates his character.
Oretes committed several other murders and assassinations in this treacherous manner, without any just ground for provocation. In these deeds of violence and cruelty, he seems to have acted purely under the influence of that wanton and capricious malignity which the possession of absolute and irresponsible power so often engenders in the minds of bad men.
The governors. Their independence. Power of the governors. Oretes, governor of Sardis. Conversation between Oretes and Mitrobates. Polycrates. Dominion of Polycrates. Letter of Amasis. Suggestion of Amasis. Adopted by Polycrates. Polycrates throws away his ring. Its singular recovery. Predictions of Amasis. Their fulfillment. Letter of Oretes. His hypocrisy. The pretended treasure.
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