I must be more brief.

By keeping for myself an ointment-box sparkling with jewels, taken from your father's palace, I forfeited my life.

Croesus, however, pleaded for me with his conqueror Cyrus; my life and liberty were granted me, but I was declared a dishonored man.

Life in Persia became impossible with disgrace lying heavily on my soul; I took ship from Smyrna to Cyprus, entered the army there, fought against Amasis, and was brought hither by Phanes as a prisoner-of-war.

Having always served as a horse-soldier, I was placed among those slaves who had charge of the king's horses, and in six years became an overseer.