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A league was concluded by Amasis with the Cyrenaeans, by which
Cyrene and Egypt became close friends and allies. He likewise took a
wife from that city, either as a sign of his friendly feeling, or
because he had a fancy to marry a Greek woman. However this may be,
certain it is that he espoused a lady of Cyrene, by name Ladice,
daughter, some say, of Battus or Arcesilaus, the king - others,
of Critobulus, one of the chief citizens. When the time came to
complete the contract, Amasis was struck with weakness. Astonished
hereat - for he was not wont to be so afflicted - the king thus
addressed his bride: "Woman, thou hast certainly bewitched me - now
therefore be sure thou shalt perish more miserably than ever woman
perished yet." Ladice protested her innocence, but in vain; Amasis
was not softened. Hereupon she made a vow internally, that if he
recovered within the day (for no longer time was allowed her), she
would present a statue to the temple of Venus at Cyrene. Immediately
she obtained her wish, and the king's weakness disappeared. Amasis
loved her greatly ever after, and Ladice performed her vow. The
statue which she caused to be made, and sent to Cyrene continued there
to my day, standing with its face looking outwards from the city.
Ladice herself, when Cambyses conquered Egypt, suffered no wrong;
for Cambyses, on learning of her who she was, sent her back unharmed
to her country.
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