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During their absence, which was prolonged beyond the time that had
been agreed upon, Corobius provisions failed him. He was relieved,
however, after a while by a Samian vessel, under the command of a man
named Colaeus, which, on its way to Egypt, was forced to put in at
Platea. The crew, informed by Corobius of all the circumstances,
left him sufficient food for a year. They themselves quitted the
island; and, anxious to reach Egypt, made sail in that direction,
but were carried out of their course by a gale of wind from the east.
The storm not abating, they were driven past the Pillars of
Hercules, and at last, by some special guiding providence, reached
Tartessus. This trading town was in those days a virgin port,
unfrequented by the merchants. The Samians, in consequence, made by
the return voyage a profit greater than any Greeks before their day,
excepting Sostratus, son of Laodamas, an Eginetan, with whom no
one else can compare. From the tenth part of their gains, amounting
to six talents, the Samians made a brazen vessel, in shape like an
Argive wine-bowl, adorned with the heads of griffins standing out in
high relief. This bowl, supported by three kneeling colossal figures
in bronze, of the height of seven cubits, was placed as an offering in
the temple of Juno at Samos. The aid given to Corobius was the
original cause of that close friendship which afterwards united the
Cyrenaeans and Theraeans with the Samians.
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