PART I.] THE STORY OF ATYS. 5
have also clubs with knots. When going to battle they have half the body whitened with chalk, half painted with vermilion. Others have the head covered with horsehide, taken from the head of a horse, with the ears and mane. Instead of shields they cover their bodies with the skins of cranes.
V.THE EQUIPMENT OF PERSIAN SOLDIERS.
15.The Persians are equipped in this manner. On the head they wear caps ; these they call tiaras : about the body, tunics of various colours, with sleeves, and cuirasses with iron scales in the likeness of fishes: breeches on their legs: but for shields (they carry) hurdles of osier. They have quivers hung from the back; their spears are short, but their bows long; their arrows are (made) of reeds ; moreover, by the right thigh a dagger is suspended from the belt.
VI.— THE STORY OF ATYS.
Croesus has a bad dream about his son Atys.
16.Croesus, king of Lydia, had a son by name Atys. Croesus, in a dream, saw him pierced with an iron weapon, and sprinkled with blood. On awaking, he keeps his son at home; next he hides the javelins and spears in a chest
He purifies a man who comes to him stained with crime.
17.Meanwhile there arrived at Sardis a man involved in guilt. Croesus purified him, and received him kindly. Then he questions him in these words: ‘Who art thou? What man hast thou slain?’
The stranger tells his story — Croesus receives him as a friend.
18.The stranger replied as follows: ‘O king, I am the son of Gordias; moreover, my name Is Adrastus. I killed my brother by accident (lit against my will). Here I am, expelled
