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It was in the twelfth year of the war that the following mischance
occurred from the firing of the harvest-fields. Scarcely had the corn
been set alight by the soldiers when a violent wind carried the flames
against the temple of Minerva Assesia, which caught fire and was
burnt to the ground. At the time no one made any account of the
circumstance; but afterwards, on the return of the army to Sardis,
Alyattes fell sick. His illness continued, whereupon, either
advised thereto by some friend, or perchance himself conceiving the
idea, he sent messengers to Delphi to inquire of the god concerning
his malady. On their arrival the Pythoness declared that no answer
should be given them until they had rebuilt the temple of Minerva,
burnt by the Lydians at Assesus in Milesia.
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