|
Now the Alcmaeonidae were, even in days of yore, a family of note at
Athens; but from the time of Alcmaeon, and again of Megacles, they
rose to special eminence. The former of these two personages, to
wit, Alcmaeon, the son of Megacles, when Croesus the Lydian sent
men from Sardis to consult the Delphic oracle, gave aid gladly to his
messengers, assisted them to accomplish their task. Croesus,
informed of Alcmaeon's kindnesses by the Lydians who from time to
time conveyed his messages to the god, sent for him to Sardis, and
when he arrived, made him a present of as much gold as he should be
able to carry at one time about his person. Finding that this was the
gift assigned him, Alcmaeon took his measures, and prepared himself
to receive it in the following way. He clothed himself in a loose
tunic, which he made to bag greatly at the waist, and placing upon his
feet the widest buskins that he could anywhere find, followed his
guides into the treasure-house. Here he fell to upon a heap of
gold-dust, and in the first place packed as much as he could inside
his buskins, between them and his legs; after which he filled the
breast of his tunic quite full of gold, and then sprinkling some among
his hair, and taking some likewise in his mouth, he came forth from
the treasure-house, scarcely able to drag his legs along, like
anything rather than a man, with his mouth crammed full, and his bulk
increased every way. On seeing him, Croesus burst into a laugh, and
not only let him have all that he had taken, but gave him presents
besides of fully equal worth. Thus this house became one of great
wealth; and Alcmaeon was able to keep horses for the chariot-race,
and won the prize at Olympia.
|
|