"The Buried Classic" from Ancient Greece, and the roots of the Western World .... The Life of Apollonius of Tyana Philostratus {220 AD} Departure from the King of Babylon ...
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia in the Southern Spring of 1995

Departure from the King of Babylon ...

"O excellent king, I have in no way renumerated my host and I owe a great reward to the Magi; do you therefore attend to them, and oblige me by bestowing your favours on men who are both wise and wholly devoted to yourself."

The king then was more than delighted, and said: "I will show you tomorrow how much I value them and what great rewards I hold them to have earned; but since you ask for nothing that is mine, I hope you will at least allow these gentlemen to accepts from me whatever money they like", and he pointed to Damis and his companions. And when they too declined the offer, Apollonius said:

"You see, O king, how many hands I have, and how closely they resemble one another."

"But do you anyhow take a guide," said the king, "and camels on which to ride; for the road is too long by far for you to walk the whole of it."

"Be it so," said Apollonius, " O king: for they say that the road is a difficult one for him who is not mounted, and moreover this animal is easily fed and finds his pasture easily where there is no fodder. And methinks, we must lay in a supply of water also, and take it in bottles, like wine."

"Yes," said the king, "for after three days the country is waterless, but after that there are plenty of rivers and springs; but you must take the road over the Caucasus, for there you will find plenty of the necessities of life and the country is friendly."

And the king then asked him what he would bring back to him from his destination; and he answered:

"A graceful gift, O king, for if I am turned into a wiser man by the society of people yonder, I shall return to you here a better man than I now am."

When he said this the king embrased him and said: "May you come back, for that will indeed be a great gift."

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"The Buried Classic" from Ancient Greece, and the roots of the Western World .... The Life of Apollonius of Tyana Philostratus {220 AD} Departure from the King of Babylon ...
Web Publication by Mountain Man Graphics, Australia in the Southern Spring of 1995