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The messengers who had the charge of conveying these treasures to the
shrines, received instructions to ask the oracles whether Croesus
should go to war with the Persians and if so, whether he should
strengthen himself by the forces of an ally. Accordingly, when they
had reached their destinations and presented the gifts, they proceeded
to consult the oracles in the following terms: "Croesus, of Lydia
and other countries, believing that these are the only real oracles in
all the world, has sent you such presents as your discoveries
deserved, and now inquires of you whether he shall go to war with the
Persians, and if so, whether he shall strengthen himself by the
forces of a confederate." Both the oracles agreed in the tenor of
their reply, which was in each case a prophecy that if Croesus
attacked the Persians, he would destroy a mighty empire, and a
recommendation to him to look and see who were the most powerful of the
Greeks, and to make alliance with them.
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