XXV. ERYXO1
Arcesilaus, the son of Battus who was nicknamed
‘The Happy,’ was not at all like his father in his
ways. In fact, while his father was still living, he
surrounded his house with a rampart, and was fined
two hundred pounds by his father; and when his
father had come to his end, for one thing Arcesilaus,
being harsh by nature (and this gave him his nickname),
2 and for another consorting with a vicious
friend Laarchus, instead of being a king became a
despot. Laarchus, secretly scheming to become
despot, banished or murdered the noblest among
the men of Cyrene, and diverted all the blame for
this from himself to Arcesilaus; and finally he
brought Arcesilaus into a wasting and grievous
illness by a drink containing sea-hare,
3 and thus
[p. 569]
accomplished his death; then he took over the
sovereign rule himself on the pretext that he was
keeping it for Arcesilaus's son Battus. The boy,
by reason of his lameness and his youth as well,
was looked down upon, but to his mother many gave
heed, for she was discreet and humane, and had many
influential relatives. Wherefore Laarchus lavished
attentions upon her, trying to win her as his wife,
saying that it was only right and proper to make
Battus his own son by marrying her, and to proclaim him colleague in the sovereignty. Eryxo
(for that was the woman's name), after taking counsel
with her brothers, bade Laarchus to have an interview with them, as if she herself looked with favour
on the marriage. But when Laarchus interviewed
them, and they purposely misled him and put him
off, Eryxo sent a maid-servant to him to tell him
from her that at present her brothers declared themselves opposed, but if the union should be consummated, they would cease their dissent and give
over; he must, therefore, come to her by night if he
were willing; for if the beginning were once made,
all the rest would be well.
This was joyful news to Laarchus, and, all excitement in view of the woman's compliant mood, he
agreed to come whenever she should give the word.
Eryxo carried out all this in consultation with
Polyarchus the eldest of her brothers. When a
time had been determined upon for the coming
together, Polyarchus was secretly introduced into
his sister's room, having with him two young men
with sword in hand who were intent on avenging
[p. 571]
the murder of their father, whom Laarchus, a short
time before, had put to death.
When Eryxo sent for Laarchus, he came in unattended, and, the young men falling upon him, he
was run through by their swords and killed. His
body they threw over the wall and, bringing forward
Battus, they proclaimed him king in succession to
his father's rights, and Polyarchus restored to the
people of Cyrene their original form of government.
It happened that there were in the city numerous
soldiers of Amasis, king of the Egyptians. These
Laarchus had employed as trusty retainers, and they
were not the least of his instruments through which
he terrorized the citizens. These soldiers sent men
to Amasis to accuse Polyarchus and Eryxo, He
was much incensed and had thoughts of making
war on the people of Cyrene, but just then it happened
that his mother died, and it was during the days in
which he was holding her funeral that messengers
returned from Amasis with the tidings. So Polyarchus thought it best to go there to make his defence.
When Eryxo would not be left behind, but expressed
her wish to go with him and share the danger, their
mother Critola, although well on in years, would not
be left behind either. Her standing was of the
highest, since she was the sister of Battus the Happy.
When they came to Egypt, the people expressed
wondrous approval of their exploit, and Amasis
expressed extraordinary approval of the self-control
and courage of the woman; and after honouring
both Polyarchus and the women with presents and
royal attentions he sent them back to Cyrene.
[p. 573]
