refined policy, which penetrates into the most secret
purposes of others, without making the least discovery of its own. The
story, thus explained, carries in it a greater appearance of truth, than
what we read in Herodotus.

Cicero, after having related this fable of Gyges's famous ring, adds, that
if a wise man had such a ring, he would not use it to any wicked purpose;
because virtue considers what is honourable and just, and has no occasion
for darkness.(1093)

(M192) GYGES reigned thirty-eight years.(1094) The murder of Candaules
raised a sedition among the Lydians. The two parties, instead of coming to
blows, agreed to refer the matter to the decision of the Delphic oracle,
which declared in favour of Gyges. The king made large presents to the
temple of Delphi, which undoubtedly preceded, and had no little influence
upon, the oracle's answer. Among other things of value, Herodotus mentions
six golden cups, weighing thirty talents, amounting to near a million of
French money, which is about forty-eight thousand pounds sterling.

As soon as he was in peaceable possession of the throne, he made war
against Miletus, Smyrna, and Colophon, three powerful cities belonging to
the neighbouring states.

After he had reigned thirty-eight years, he died, and was succeeded by his
son

ARDYS, who reigned forty-nine years.(1095) It was in the reign of(M193)
this prince, that the Cimmerians, driven out of their country by the
Scythae Nomades, went into Asia, and took the city of Sardis, with the
exception of the citadel.

(M194) SADYATTES reigned twelve years.(1096) This prince declared war
against the Milesians, and laid siege to their city. In those days the
sieges, which were generally nothing more than blockades, were carried on
very slowly, and lasted many years. This king died before he had finished
that of Miletus, and was succeeded by his son.

(M195) HALYATTES reigned fifty-seven years.(1097) This is the prince who
made war against Cyaxares, king of Media. He likewise drove the Cimmerians
out of Asia. He attacked and took the cities of Smyrna and Clazomenae. He
vigorously prosecuted the war against the Milesians, begun by his father;
and continued the siege of their city, which had lasted six years under
his father, and continued as many under him. It ended at length in the
following manner: Halyattes, upon an answer he received from the Delphic
oracle, had sent an ambassador into the city, to propose a truce for