A Crotonian, Democedes by name, was found among the slaves of Oroetes.

Of his fame as a physician someone had heard and he was called in to treat the dislocated ankle of King Darius.

The wily Greek, longing for his home, feared that if he confessed to a knowledge of medicine there would be no chance of escape, but under threat of torture he undertook a treatment which proved successful.

Then Herodotus tells his story--how, ill treated at home in Crotona, Democedes went to AEgina, where he set up as a physician and in the second year the State of AEgina hired his services at the price of a talent.

In the third year, the Athenians engaged him at 100 minae; and in the fourth, Polycrates of Samos at two talents.