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At the end of this time the grief of Croesus was interrupted by
intelligence from abroad. He learnt that Cyrus, the son of
Cambyses, had destroyed the empire of Astyages, the son of
Cyaxares; and that the Persians were becoming daily more powerful.
This led him to consider with himself whether it were possible to check
the growing power of that people before it came to a head. With this
design he resolved to make instant trial of the several oracles in
Greece, and of the one in Libya. So he sent his messengers in
different directions, some to Delphi, some to Abae in Phocis, and
some to Dodona; others to the oracle of Amphiaraus; others to that
of Trophonius; others, again, to Branchidae in Milesia. These
were the Greek oracles which he consulted. To Libya he sent another
embassy, to consult the oracle of Ammon. These messengers were sent
to test the knowledge of the oracles, that, if they were found really
to return true answers, he might send a second time, and inquire if he
ought to attack the Persians.
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