o the words which were
recited from them, he gave another paper in which were contained
these words: "Persians, king Dareios forbids you to serve as guards
to Oroites": and they hearing this lowered to him the points of their
spears. Then Bagaios, seeing that in this they were obedient to the
paper, took courage upon that and gave the last of the papers to the
secretary; and in it was written: "King Dareios commands the Persians
who are in Sardis to slay Oroites." So the spearmen of the guard, when
they heard this, drew their swords and slew him forthwith. Thus did
retribution for the murder of Polycrates the Samian overtake Oroites.

129. When the wealth of Oroites had come or had been carried 114 up to
Susa, it happened not long after, that king Dareios while engaged in
hunting wild beasts twisted his foot in leaping off his horse, and
it was twisted, as it seems, rather violently, for the ball of his
ankle-joint was put out of the socket. Now he had been accustomed to
keep about him those of the Egyptians who were accounted the first in
the art of medicine, and he made use of their assistance then: but these
by wrenching and forcing the foot made the evil continually greater. For
seven days then and seven nights Dareios was sleepless owing to the
pain which he suffered; and at last on the eighth day, when he was in a
wretched state, some one who had heard talk before while yet at Sardis
of the skill of Demokedes of Croton, reported this to Dareios; and he
bade them bring him forthwith into his presence. So having found him
somewhere unnoticed among the slaves of Oroites, they brought him forth
into the midst dragging fetters after him and clothed in rags.

130. When he had been placed in the midst of them, Dareios asked him
whether he understood the art; but he would not admit it, fearing lest,
if he declared himself to be what he was, he might lose for ever
the hope of returning to Hellas: and it was clear to Dareios that he
understood that art but was practising another, 115 and he commanded
those who had brought him thither to produce scourges and pricks.
Accordingly upon that he spoke out, saying that he did not understand
it precisely, but that he had kept company with a physician and had some
poor knowledge of the art. Then after this, when Dareios had committed
the case to him, by using Hellenic drugs and applying mild remedies
after the former violent means, he caused him to get sleep, and in a
short time ma