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The Ring of Polycrates, Tyrant of Samos
Polycrates ruled the island of Samos in the 6th century BCE. He had led an insurrection against the Persians, seizing power for himself. From that moment on, fortune seemed to favor him in everything—whether in battle or trade, no one could outmatch him.
His friend Amasis, the king of Egypt, grew concerned. He feared that such unbroken success was a sign that the gods were reserving Polycrates for a terrible fate. In a letter, Amasis advised him to cast away his most valuable treasure as an offering to temper his overwhelming luck.
Polycrates decided that his most prized possession was a signet ring—an emerald set in gold. Determined to follow his friend’s advice, he sailed far from Samos and threw the ring into the deep waters of the sea.
A few days later, a fisherman arrived at the palace gates with an extraordinary catch—a large and beautiful fish. The servants prepared it for the king’s table, and as they cut it open, they discovered the very ring Polycrates had cast away, gleaming inside.
Delighted to have his ring back, Polycrates wrote to Amasis, sharing this remarkable stroke of luck. But the Egyptian king was deeply troubled. He replied that their friendship must end, for he dared not remain allied with a man whom fortune never abandoned.
Meanwhile, a Persian named Oroetes, governor of Sardis, had heard much of Polycrates’ legendary luck. Though he had never met him, he resolved to be the one to bring about his downfall. Realizing that brute force would not work, he devised a plan of deception.
Oroetes sent Polycrates a letter, pretending to fear for his own life and power. He begged the Samian ruler to come to his aid, promising in return a share of his vast treasures.
Confident in his fate, Polycrates agreed. Certain that his fortune would never fail him, he set sail without his army, accompanied only by a group of trusted friends.
But he had walked into a trap. Oroetes captured him, executed him, and nailed his body to a cross—proving at last that even the most fortunate are not beyond misfortune.
