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Teucrians told the same tale then and afterwards； both with oath and
without oath； namely that in deed and in truth they had not Helen nor the
wealth for which demand was made； but that both were in Egypt； and that
they could not justly be compelled to give satisfaction for that which
Proteus the king of Egypt had。 The Hellenes however thought that they
were being mocked by them and besieged the city； until at last they took it；
and when they had taken the wall and did not find Helen； but heard the
same tale as before； then they believed the former tale and sent Menelaos
himself to Proteus。 And Menelaos having come to Egypt and having sailed
up to Memphis； told the truth of these matters； and not only found great
entertainment； but also received Helen unhurt； and all his own wealth
besides。 Then； however； after he had been thus dealt with； Menelaos
showed himself ungrateful to the Egyptians； for when he set forth to sail
away； contrary winds detained him； and as this condition of things lasted
long； he devised an impious deed； for he took two children of natives and
made sacrifice of them。 After this； when it was known that he had done so；
he became abhorred； and being pursued he escaped and got away in his
ships to Libya； but whither he went besides after this； the Egyptians were
not able to tell。 Of these things they said that they found out part by
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inquiries； and the rest； namely that which happened in their own land； they
related from sure and certain knowledge。
Thus the priests of the Egyptians told me； and I myself also agree with
the story which was told of Helen； adding this consideration； namely that
if Helen had been in Ilion she would have been given up to the Hellenes；
whether Alexander consented or no； for Priam assuredly was not so mad；
nor yet the others of his house； that they were desirous to run risk of ruin
for themselves and their children and their city； in order that Alexander
might have Helen as his wife： and even supposing that during the first part
of the time they had been so inclined； yet when many others of the Trojans
besides were losing their lives as often as they fought with the Hellenes；
and of the sons of Priam himself always two or three or even more were
slain when a battle took place （if one may trust at all to the Epic poets）；
when； I say； things were coming thus to pass； I consider that even if Priam
himself had had Helen as his wife； he would have given her back to the
Achaians； if at least by so doing he might be freed from the evils which
oppressed him。 Nor even was the kingdom coming to Alexander next； so
that when Priam was old the government was in his hands； but Hector；
who was both older and more of a man than he； would certainly have
received it after the death of Priam； and him it behoved not to allow his
brother to go on with his wrong…doing； considering that great evils were
coming to pass on his account both to himself privately and in general to
the other Trojans。 In truth however they lacked the power to give Helen
back； and the Hellenes did not believe them； though they spoke the truth；
because； as I declare my opinion； the divine power was purposing to cause
them utterly to perish； and so make it evident to men that for great wrongs
great also are the chastisements which come from the gods。 And thus have
I delivered my opinion concerning these matters。
After Proteus； they told me； Rhampsinitos received in succession the
kingdom； who left as a memorial of himself that gateway to the temple of
Hephaistos which is turned towards the West； and in front of the gateway
he set up two statues； in height five…and…twenty cubits； of which the one
which stands on the North side is called by the Egyptians Summer and the
one on the South side Winter； and to that one which they call Summer they
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do reverence and make offerings； while to the other which is called Winter
they do the opposite of these things。 This king； they said； got great wealth
of silver； which none of the kings born after him could surpass or even
come near to； and wishing to store his wealth in safety he caused to be
built a chamber of stone； one of the walls whereof was towards the outside
of his palace： and the builder of this； having a design against it； contrived
as follows； that is； he disposed one of the stones in such a manner that it
could be taken out easily from the wall either by two men or even by one。
So when the chamber was finished； the king stored his money in it； and
after some time the builder； being near the end of his life； called to him his
sons （for he had two） and to them he related how he had contrived in
building the treasury of the king； and all in forethought for them； that they
might have ample means of living。 And when he had clearly set forth to
them everything concerning the taking out of the stone； he gave them the
measurements； saying that if they paid heed to this matter they would be
stewards of the king's treasury。 So he ended his life； and his sons made no
long delay in setting to work； but went to the palace by night； and having
found the stone in the wall of the chamber they dealt with it easily and
carried forth for themselves great quantity of the wealth within。 And the
king happening to open the chamber； he marvelled when he saw the
vessels falling short of the full amount； and he did not know on whom he
should lay the blame； since the seals were unbroken and the chamber had
been close shut； but when upon his opening the chamber a second and a
third time the money was each time seen to be diminished； for the thieves
did not slacken in their assaults upon it； he did as follows：having ordered
traps to be made he set these round about the vessels in which the money
was； and when the thieves had come as at former times and one of them
had entered； then so soon as he came near to one of the vessels he was
straightway caught in the trap： and when he perceived in what evil case he
was； straightway calling his brother he showed him what the matter was；
and bade him enter as quickly as possible and cut off his head； for fear lest
being seen and known he might bring about the destruction of his brother
also。 And to the other it seemed that he spoke well； and he was persuaded
and did so； and fitting the stone into its place he dep