So I tried to repress such thoughts; but now I will resist them no longer.

What the good and wise Croesus believes cannot possibly be evil or impious! Let Oropastes come! I am ready to listen to his teaching.

The god of Thebes, our Ammon, shall be transformed into Ormuzd,--Isis or Hathor, into Anahita, and those among our gods for whom I can find no likeness in the Persian religion, I shall designate by the name of 'the Deity.'" Croesus smiled.

He had fancied, knowing how obstinately the Egyptians clung to all they had received from tradition and education, that it would have been more difficult for Nitetis to give up the gods of her native land.

He had forgotten that her mother was a Greek, and that the daughters of Amasis had studied the doctrines of Pythagoras.