Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part I/VIII
VIII.ARTAYCTES.
Deceit and sacrilege.
30.Artayctes, a Persian, once was in command of Sestos. He had deceived Xerxes when starting for Athens, having secretly carried off the treasures of Protesilaus from Elaeus. Now he had deceived Xerxes (by) using these words:‘O king, a certain Greek used to live here. He was slain a long while ago (when) making an expedition against thy kingdom. Give me now, I pray, his riches; for thus all men will never afterwards dare to make an expedition against thee.’ Therefore Xerxes (was) deceived (and) gave the house of Protesilaus to Artayctes. But the latter (having) taken everything from Elaeus brought them with him to Sestos.
Vengeance overtakes him.
31.But afterwards the Athenians having attacked Artayctes unawares, besieged Sestos for a long time. The Persians at length within the walls being reduced to extremity, were compelled to eat the ropes of their hammocks. When these were consumed, Artayctes, with his son, betook himself to flight by night. Being, however, soon taken by the Athenians, he was brought again to Sestos in chains.
A strange story.
32.The following miracle is said to have happened to one of the guards (while) cooking fish pickled in salt. The fish (while) lying on the fire, began to jump, as if (they had been) very lately caught. All men were astomshed: but Artayctes seeing the miracle, said to the man, ‘Athenian stranger, fear not this miracle, for it has not been exhibited for thee. This has reference to me. Protesilaus himself is in these fishes: he has also said to me, “I am able to punish thee, O Artayctes, on account of the wealth (that thou hast) taken away.” Now therefore I am willing to restore to him his wealth. I shall give a hundred talents in return for the money stolen from the temple of Protesilaus; for myself and my sons I shall pay two hundred talents to the Athenians.’
The fate of Artayctes.
33.Not even in this way was he able to persuade Xanthippus, the general of the Athenians; for the men of Elaeus kept urging him, saying, ‘Thou must slay Artayctes’; and Xanthippus himself desired to kill him. And so (they) lashed (him) to a cross (and) lifted him up on high; and his son perished before his eyes, overwhelmed with stones. In such a manner as this the avenging curses of Protesilaus punished Artayctes.