Page:History of Greece Vol IV.djvu/208

16C HISTORY OF GREECE. .vestruck on receiving this reply. It described with the utmost ddtail that which he had been really doing, insomuch that he accounted the Delphian oracle and that of Amphiaraus the onl) trustworthy oracles on earth, following up these feelings with a holocaust of the most munificent character, in order to win the favor of the Delphian god. Three thousand cattle were offered up, and upon a vast sacrificial pile were placed the most splendid purple robes and tunics, together with couches and censers of gold and silver : besides which he sent to Delphi itself the rich- est presents in gold and silver, ingots, statues, bowls, jugs, etc., the size and weight of which we read with astonishment ; the more so as Herodotus himself saw them a century afterwards at Delphi. 1 Nor was Croesus altogether unmindful of Amphiaraus, whose answer had been creditable, though less triumphant than that of the Pythian priestess. He sent to Amphiaraus a spear and shield of pure gold, which were afterwards seen at Thebes by Herodotus : this large donative may help the reader to conceive the immensity of those which he sent to Delphi. The envoys who conveyed these gifts were instructed to ask, at the same time, whether Croesus should undertake an expe- dition against the Persians, and, if so, whether he should prevail on any allies to assist .him. In regard to the second ques- tion, the answer both of Apollo and Amphiaraus was decisive, recommending him to invite the alliance of the most powerful Greeks. In regard to the first and most momentous question, their answer was as remarkable for circumspection as it had been before for detective sagacity : they told Croesus that, if ht in- vaded the Persians, he would subvert a mighty monarchy. The blindness of Croesus interpreted this declaration into an unquali- fied promise of success. He sent farther presents to ^he oracle, and again inquired whether his kingdom would be durable. "When a mule shall become king of the Medes (replied the priestess), then must thou run away, be not ashamed." 2 More assured than ever by such an answer, Croesus sent to Sparta, under the kings Anaxandrides and Aristo, to tender presents and solicit their alliance. 3 His propositions were fa> 1 Herodot. i, 52-54. * Herodot. i, 55 ' Herodot. i, 67-70.