MELPOMENE. ICt
Cyrene, the inhabitants of that place granted them a
free passage through their territories, from reverence
to some oracie. Whilst they were on their passage,
Bares, commander of the fleet, solicited them to plun
der Cyrene; which was opposed by Amasis, leader
of the infantry, who urged that their orders were
only against Barce. When, passing Cyrene, they
had arrived at the hill of the Lycean Jupiter, they
expressed regret at not having plundered it. They
accordingly returned, and endeavoured a second time
to enter the place ; but the Cyreneans would. not
suffer them. Although no one attempted to attack
them, the Persians were seized with such a panic,
that, returning in haste, they encamped at a distance
of about sixty stadia from the city. Whilst they re
mained here, a messenger came from Aryandes, or
dering them to return. Upon this, the Persians made
application to the Cyreneans for a supply of pro
visions ; which being granted, they returned to Egypt.
In their march they were incessantly harassed by the
Libyans for the sake of their clothes and utensils. In
their progress to Egypt, whoever was surprised or
left behind was instantly put to death.
CCIV. The farthest progress of this Persian army
was to the country of the Euesperidae. Their Ba'r-
ccan captives they carried with them from Egypt te
lling Darius, who assigned them for their residence
a portion of land in the Bactrian district, to which
they gave the name of Barce; this has within my
time contained a great number of inhabitants.
CCV. The life, however, of Pheretime had by no
means a fortunate termination. Having gratified her
revenge upon the Barceans, she returned from Libya
to Egypt, and there perished miserably. Whilst alive,
her body was destroyed by worms: thus it is that
the gods punish those who have provoked their indig
nation ; and such also was the vengeance which
Pheretime, the wife of Battue, exercised upon th«
Barceans.
02