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The government of Samos was held at this time by Maeandrius, son of
Maeandrius, whom Polycrates had appointed as his deputy. This
person conceived the wish to act like the justest of men, but it was
not allowed him to do so. On receiving tidings of the death of
Polycrates, he forthwith raised an altar to love the Protector of
Freedom, and assigned it the piece of ground which may still be seen
in the suburb. This done, he assembled all the citizens, and spoke
to them as follows:
"Ye know, friends, that the sceptre of Polycrates, and all his
power, has passed into my hands, and if I choose I may rule over
you. But what I condemn in another I will, if I may, avoid
myself. I never approved the ambition of Polycrates to lord it over
men as good as himself, nor looked with favour on any of those who have
done the like. Now therefore, since he has fulfilled his destiny, I
lay down my office, and proclaim equal rights. All that I claim in
return is six talents from the treasures of Polycrates, and the
priesthood of Jove the Protector of Freedom, for myself and my
descendants for ever. Allow me this, as the man by whom his temple
has been built, and by whom ye yourselves are now restored to
liberty." As soon as Maeandrius had ended, one of the Samians rose
up and said, "As if thou wert fit to rule us, base-born and rascal
as thou art! Think rather of accounting for the monies which thou hast fingered."
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