Arcesilaus was the son of Battus who was surnamed Felix, not at all
like to his father in his conversation. His father, when he lived, laid
a fine of a talent upon him for making fortifications about his house.
After his father’s death, he being of a rugged disposition (therefore
surnamed the Severe), and following the counsels of Laarchus, an ill
friend, became a tyrant instead of a king. For Laarchus affecting
the government for himself, either banished or slew the noblemen of
Cyrene, and charged the fault upon Arcesilaus; and at last casting
him into a wasting and grievous disease, by giving him the sea-hare
in his drink, he deprived him of his life. So that Laarchus assumed
the government, under pretence of being protector to Arcesilaus’s
young son Battus; but the youth, by reason either of his lameness or
youthful age, was contemned. As for his mother, many made addresses
to her, being a modest and courteous woman, and she had many of the
commons and nobility at her devotion. Therefore Laarchus, pretending
to be her humble servant, would needs marry her, and thereby take
Battus to the dignity of being son and then allow him a share in the
government. But Eryxo (for that was the woman’s name), taking counsel
of her brethren, bade Laarchus treat with them as if she had designed
marriage; Laarchus accordingly treating with Eryxo’s brethren, they
on purpose delay and prolong the business. Eryxo sends one of her
maid-servants acquainting him, that for the present her brethren did
oppose the match, but if they could but accomplish it so as to lie
together once, her brethren would cease arguing the matter any farther,
and would give their consent. He should therefore come to her by
night, if he pleased; an entrance being once made in a business, the
rest will succeed well enough. These things were mighty pleasing to
Laarchus, and he was much inflamed by the woman’s obliging carriage
towards him, and declared that he would come to whatever place she
should command him. These things Eryxo transacted with the privity
of Polyarchus, her eldest brother. A time being now appointed for
the congress, Polyarchus placed himself in his sister’s bed-chamber,
together with two young men that were sword-men, all out of sight, to
revenge the death of his father, whom Laarchus had lately murdered.
Eryxo sending at the time to acquaint him, he entered without his
guard, and the young men falling upon him, he was wounded with the
sword and died; the corpse immediately they threw over the wall. Battus
they brought forth and proclaimed king over his father’s dominions, and
Polyarchus restored to the Cyrenaeans their ancient constitution of
government. There were present at that time many soldiers of Amasis,
the Egyptian king; whom Laarchus had employed and found faithful, and
by whose means he had been not a little formidable to the citizens.
These sent messengers to accuse Polyarchus and Eryxo to Amasis. At
this the king was greatly incensed, and determined to make war upon
the Cyrenaeans. But it happened that his mother died, and while he
was solemnizing her funeral, ambassadors came and brought the news of
his intentions to Cyrene. Wherefore it was thought best by Polyarchus
to go and apologize for himself. Eryxo would not desert him, but was
resolved to accompany him and run the same hazard with him. Nor would
his mother Critola leave him, though she was an old woman; for great
was her dignity, she being the sister of old Battus, surnamed Felix.
As soon as they came into Egypt, as others with admiration approved
of the exploit, so even Amasis himself did not a little applaud the
chastity and fortitude of Eryxo, honoring her with presents and royal
attendance, with which he sent back Polyarchus and the ladies into
Cyrene.