562 
MERGE TO GYRENE. 
took place in consequence, and Arcesilaus u^as obliged to take refuge 
in Samos, while his mother, Pheretime, went over to Cyprus, in order 
to implore the assistance of Euelthon, who reigned at that time in 
the island. The suppliant queen uas received with great courtesy, 
and Euelthon made her several valuable presents ; but Pheretime, 
while expressing her thanks for these attentions, suggested that an 
army, which might accompany her to Cyrene, and avenge the wrongs 
which her family and herself had sustained from the people of the city, 
would be a much more desirable gift. Euelthon, however, adhered 
to the line of conduct by which he had hitherto been regulated, which 
was that of a strict neutrality ; and sent the queen a distaff and spindle 
of gold, assuring her that he was acting with much more consideration 
towards a female, in making her a similar offering, than if he had pre- 
sented her with an army. Arcesilaus, in this interval, had collected 
an army in Samos ; and w^ent to Delphi to consult the Oracle on the 
probable consequence of his return to Cyrene. The answer was, as 
usual, mysterious ; and predicted his death if certain events should 
take place which he was enjoined to avoid ; at the same time he was 
advised to return to his dominions, and adopt conciliatory measures. 
On recovering his possessions, Arcesilaus neglected the prudent 
advice of the Pythia, and commenced a vigorous persecution of those 
whose revolt had occasioned his flight from Cyrene. Some of them 
contrived to escape his resentment ; but a party of the fugitives who 
had taken refuge in a tower, were burnt there by order of the king, 
who caused his people to set fire to the building. In this act, one 
of the injunctions had been neglected, on observing which the life 
