12 THALIA.

armament; a detachment of his troops was to attack

the Ammonians by land; and he sent spies into
Ethiopia, who, under pretence of carrying presents to
the prince, were to ascertain the reality of the cele­
brated table of the sun, and to examine the condition
of the country.

XVIII. What they called the table of the sun was
this:—A plain in the vicinity of the city was' filled to
the height of four feet with the roasted flesh of all
kinds of animals, which was carried there in the
night, under the inspection of the magistrates; during
the day whoever pleased was at liberty to go and
satisfy his hunger. The natives of the place affirm,
that the earth spontaneously produces all these
viands: this, however, is what they term the table of
the sun.

XIX. As soon as Cambyses had resolved on the
measures he meant to pursue, with respect to the
Ethiopians, he sent to the city of Elephantine for
some of the Ichtbyophagi who were skilled in their
language. In the mean time he directed his naval
forces to proceed against the Carthaginians; but the
Phoenicians refused to assist him in this purpose,
pleading the solemnity of their engagements with that
people, and the impiety of committing acts of violence
against their own descendants. Such was the conduct
of the Phoenicians, and the other armaments were
not powerful enough to proceed. Thus, therefore,
the Carthaginians escaped being made tributary to
Persia, for Cambyses did not choose to use compulsion
with the Phoenicians, who had voluntarily become his
dependants, and who constituted the most essential
part of his naval power. The Cyprians had also
submitted without contest to the Persians, and had
served in the Egyptian expedition.

XX. As soon as the Ichthyophagi arrived from
Elephantine, Cambyses despatched them to Ethiopia.
They were commissioned to deliver, with certain pres­
ents, a particular message to the prince. The presents
consisted of a purple vest, a gold chain for the neck,
bracelets, an alabaster box of perfumes, and a cask of
palm wine. The Ethiopians to whom Cambyses