Aphrodite Helps

(chapter 181, part 2 of 2) Ladica denies she has done anything, but to no avail, and prays Aphrodite to aid her in this difficulty. She vows an image to the Heavenly One if Amasis recovers his firmness. This was an immediate success, the Cyprian being much more effective than even Viagra would have been. Amasis loved her very much then. She repaid the Golden One, sending an image to Cyrene that was still there in Herodotus' time, looking out from the city walls. Amasis was probably glad to pay for this. Ladica was much younger than Amasis, and was still living when Cambyses conquered Egypt from Amasis' son Psammetichus. When the Persian found out who she was, he sent her safe back to Cyrene.

There is a very good example of the subjunctive introduced by hn in this selection, as well as a lot of aorists to enjoy. Also note the idioms scattered here and there. The third person prounoun here mostly has a feminine antecedent, while previously it has been mainly masculine. This lack of distinguishing sex might be one reason it fell out of use.

Ladica, when Amasis did not become one bit less stiff-necked for [all] her denial, prayed in her mind to Aphrodite that if Amasis should couple with her that [very] night, since this would be a device against the evil, she will send an image to Cyrene. After this vow, Amasis at once succeeded in joining with her. And from then on, as often as Amasis wanted her, they coupled, and he greatly loved her after this. Ladica fulfilled her vow to the goddess; an image having been made, it was sent off to Cyrene, and still in my time it was whole, looking outward from the city of Cyrene. When Cambyses conquered Egypt, and he learned who she was, he sent this same Ladica to Cyrene.

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