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Such is the account which the Theraeans give. In the sequel of the
history their accounts tally with those of the people of Cyrene; but
in what they relate of Battus these two nations differ most widely.
The following is the Cyrenaic story. There was once a king named
Etearchus, who ruled over Axus, a city in Crete, and had a
daughter named Phronima. This girl's mother having died, Etearchus
married a second wife; who no sooner took up her abode in his house
than she proved a true step-mother to poor Phronima, always vexing
her, and contriving against her every sort of mischief. At last she
taxed her with light conduct; and Etearchus, persuaded by his wife
that the charge was true, bethought himself of a most barbarous mode of
punishment. There was a certain Theraean, named Themison, a
merchant, living at Axus. This man Etearchus invited to be his
friend and guest, and then induced him to swear that he would do him
any service he might require. No sooner had he given the promise,
than the king fetched Phronima, and, delivering her into his hands,
told him to carry her away and throw her into the sea. Hereupon
Themison, full of indignation at the fraud whereby his oath had been
procured, dissolved forthwith the friendship, and, taking the girl
with him, sailed away from Crete. Having reached the open main, to
acquit himself of the obligation under which he was laid by his oath to
Etearchus, he fastened ropes about the damsel, and, letting her down
into the sea, drew her up again, and so made sail for Thera.
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