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According to the Persians best informed in history, the Phoenicians
began to quarrel. This people, who had formerly dwelt on the shores
of the Erythraean Sea, having migrated to the Mediterranean and
settled in the parts which they now inhabit, began at once, they say,
to adventure on long voyages, freighting their vessels with the wares
of Egypt and Assyria. They landed at many places on the coast, and
among the rest at Argos, which was then preeminent above all the
states included now under the common name of Hellas. Here they
exposed their merchandise, and traded with the natives for five or six
days; at the end of which time, when almost everything was sold,
there came down to the beach a number of women, and among them the
daughter of the king, who was, they say, agreeing in this with the
Greeks, Io, the child of Inachus. The women were standing by the
stern of the ship intent upon their purchases, when the Phoenicians,
with a general shout, rushed upon them. The greater part made their
escape, but some were seized and carried off. Io herself was among
the captives. The Phoenicians put the women on board their vessel,
and set sail for Egypt. Thus did Io pass into Egypt, according to
the Persian story, which differs widely from the Phoenician: and
thus commenced, according to their authors, the series of outrages.
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