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After this, king Darius besieged and took Samos, which was the
first city, Greek or Barbarian, that he conquered. The cause of
his making war upon Samos was the following: at the time when
Cambyses, son of Cyrus, marched against Egypt, vast numbers of
Greeks flocked thither; some, as might have been looked for, to push
their trade; others, to serve in his army; others again, merely to
see the land: among these last was Syloson, son of Aeaces, and
brother of Polycrates, at that time an exile from Samos. This
Syloson, during his stay in Egypt, met with a singular piece of good
fortune. He happened one day to put on a scarlet cloak, and thus
attired to go into the market-place at Memphis, when Dariuss who was
one of Cambyses' bodyguard, and not at that time a man of any
account, saw him, and taking a strong liking to the dress, went up
and offered to purchase it. Syloson perceived how anxious he was, and
by a lucky inspiration answered: "There is no price at which I would
sell my cloak; but I will give it thee for nothing, if it must needs
be thine." Darius thanked him, and accepted the garment.
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