When Polycrates read the letter sent by Amasis, king of Egypt, he understood that the advice was wise and well meant. Amasis had warned him that unbroken good fortune was dangerous and that the gods might grow jealous. Polycrates took these words seriously and began to think deeply about what he should do. He decided to follow the advice and give up something very precious to balance his good luck.
Polycrates carefully examined all the treasures he owned. He asked himself which possession he valued the most and which would cause him the greatest pain if he lost it forever. After much thought, he chose his signet ring. This ring was not only valuable but also deeply personal The Unbroken Good Fortune of Polycrates.
The Precious Signet Ring
The ring Polycrates chose was set with an emerald mounted in gold. It was the work of Theodore, son of Telecles, a famous craftsman from Samos. Polycrates wore this ring often, and it symbolized both his power and his identity as ruler. Losing it would be a serious sacrifice, exactly as Amasis had advised.
Having made his decision, Polycrates ordered a penteconter, a fast ship with fifty oars, to be prepared. He went aboard and commanded the sailors to take the ship far out into the open sea, away from the island and out of sight of land.
The Ring Thrown into the Sea
When the ship was far from shore, Polycrates stood before his sailors and removed the ring from his finger. In full view of everyone on board, he threw the ring into the deep sea. By doing this publicly, he showed that he truly meant to give it up and that there would be no chance of secretly recovering it Sofia Tours Guide.
After the ring disappeared beneath the waves, Polycrates returned to Samos. Although he believed he had done the right thing, he could not hide his sadness. He mourned the loss of the ring and felt the pain of sacrifice that Amasis had said was necessary.
The Fisherman and the Great Fish
Five or six days later, an unexpected event took place. A fisherman caught a fish that was unusually large and beautiful. Seeing how fine the fish was, he decided not to sell it at the market. Though he was a poor man who depended on his daily catch, he believed the fish was worthy of being given to the king.
The fisherman went to the palace gates and asked to see Polycrates. When allowed inside, he presented the fish and explained that he had brought it as a gift because it suited the greatness of the king. Polycrates was pleased by both the gift and the fisherman’s respectful words.
A Surprising Discovery
In gratitude, Polycrates invited the fisherman to share a meal with him. The fisherman went home feeling deeply honored by the invitation. Meanwhile, the king’s servants began preparing the fish for supper. As they cut it open, they made a shocking discovery. Inside the belly of the fish, they found the very signet ring that Polycrates had thrown into the sea.
Filled with joy and amazement, the servants hurried to the king and returned the ring to him, explaining how it had been found. Polycrates immediately understood that this was no ordinary event.
A Letter Sent to Egypt
Seeing the return of the ring as a sign from the gods, Polycrates wrote at once to Amasis. In his letter, he described everything that had happened: his sacrifice, the loss of the ring, and its miraculous return. He then sent the letter to Egypt, unaware that this strange twist of fate would soon have serious consequences for their friendship and his future.
