Apries sent an army composed of native Egyptians[1] against Cyrene, but they were defeated, and this defeat was followed by a military revolt. The mutineers complained that they had been selected for the expedition in order that the loss might fall on them, rather than on the Greek mercenaries. The king sent an officer, named Amasis, to the camp, who was popular with the soldiery, and they immediately saluted him as king. Apries then sent a general, named Patahbeni, with orders to bring Amasis back a prisoner, but Amasis replied: 'Tell the king that I will myself lead the army to his very feet.' Apries was so enraged at the ill success of his messenger, that he ordered the unfortunate man's nose and ears to be cut off (a punishment intended for the lowest traitors). This brutal act only incensed the soldiery still further, and the whole army joined in the revolt. Apries, with his Greek mercenaries, met them at Momemphis, but was defeated, and fell into the hands of Amasis, who at first treated him with kindness and
- ↑ It was natural not to send Greeks against their fellow-countrymen, though the action was otherwise interpreted.
