Histories

Xerxes marvelled at this last saying and next himself asked Pythius how much wealth he had. “O king,” said Pythius, “I will not conceal the quantity of my property from you, nor pretend that I do not know; I know and will tell you the exact truth.

As soon as I learned that you were coming down to the Greek sea, I wanted to give you money for the war, so I inquired into the matter, and my reckoning showed me that I had two thousand talents of silver, and four million Daric staters of gold,[*](The Daric stater was equivalent to about 22s. of our money.) lacking seven thousand.

All this I freely give to you; for myself, I have a sufficient livelihood from my slaves and my farms.”

Thus he spoke. Xerxes was pleased with what he said and replied: “My Lydian friend, since I came out of Iran [53,32] (nation), AsiaPersia I have so far met with no man who was willing to give hospitality to my army, nor who came into my presence unsummoned and offered to furnish money for the war, besides you.

But you have entertained my army nobly and offer me great sums. In return for this I give you these privileges: I make you my friend, and out of my own wealth I give you the seven thousand staters which will complete your total of four million, so that your four million not lack the seven thousand and the even number be reached by my completing it.