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Thus far the history is delivered without variation both by the
Theraeans and the Lacedaemonians; but from this point we have only
the Theraean narrative. Grinus (they say), the son of Aesanius,
a descendant of Theras, and king of the island of Thera, went to
Delphi to offer a hecatomb on behalf of his native city. He was
accompanied by a large number of the citizens, and among the rest by
Battus, the son of Polymnestus, who belonged to the Minyan family
of the Euphemidae. On Grinus consulting the oracle about sundry
matters, the Pythoness gave him for answer, "that he should found a
city in Libya." Grinus replied to this: "I, O king! am too far
advanced in years, and too inactive, for such a work. Bid one of
these youngsters undertake it." As he spoke, he pointed towards
Battus; and thus the matter rested for that time. When the embassy
returned to Thera, small account was taken of the oracle by the
Theraeans, as they were quite ignorant where Libya was, and were not
so venturesome as to send out a colony in the dark.
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