The men who were sent to attack the Ammonians set out from Thebes. They did not travel alone, for they had guides to lead them across the desert. Their path can be clearly traced as far as a place called Oasis. This city was inhabited by people said to be Samians, belonging to the tribe known as the Aeschrionians Ephesus Guide.
The journey from Thebes to Oasis took seven days across deep and dangerous sand. In the Greek language, this place was called “the Island of the Blessed.” Up to this point, it is certain that the Persian army safely made its way. Beyond Oasis, however, nothing definite is known about what happened to them.
The Mysterious Disappearance
After leaving Oasis, the army vanished. No Persian soldier ever returned to Egypt, and they never reached the land of the Ammonians. Everything that is known beyond this point comes only from the Ammonians themselves and from those who heard the story from them.
According to the Ammonians, the Persian soldiers continued their march across the desert and had traveled about halfway toward the Ammonian land. While they were resting and eating their midday meal, a terrible disaster struck them The Return of the Spies.
A violent wind suddenly arose from the south. This wind was deadly and powerful, carrying with it enormous clouds of sand. The sand swirled through the air in great columns and fell upon the army with overwhelming force. The soldiers were completely buried by the sand, and not one of them survived. In this way, the entire Persian force disappeared without a trace. Such, according to the Ammonians, was the fate of the army sent against them.
The Return of Cambyses to Memphis
Around the same time that Cambyses returned to Memphis after his failed campaign, a sacred event took place in Egypt. The god Apis appeared to the people. Apis was a sacred bull, whom the Greeks called Epaphus, and he was worshipped as a living god by the Egyptians.
When Apis appeared, the Egyptians immediately dressed themselves in their finest clothes. They began to celebrate with feasting, joy, and public gatherings. Throughout the land there was music, happiness, and celebration.
Cambyses Misunderstands the Celebration
When Cambyses saw the Egyptians rejoicing, he became suspicious and angry. He believed that they were celebrating because of his misfortunes and the loss of his soldiers. In his anger, he summoned the officers who governed Memphis and demanded an explanation.
He asked them why the Egyptians had not celebrated in this way during his earlier visit, but were now doing so after he had returned with such heavy losses.
The Fatal Accusation
The officers replied calmly and respectfully. They explained that the celebrations had nothing to do with Cambyses or his military failures. They told him that one of their gods had appeared, a god who only revealed himself at long and rare intervals. Whenever this god appeared, the entire country of Egypt traditionally rejoiced and held festivals.
Cambyses, however, refused to believe them. Convinced that they were lying, he accused them of deceit. In his anger and cruelty, he condemned the officers to death.
Pride and Tragedy
This episode shows once again how Cambyses’ pride, anger, and lack of understanding led him to commit acts of injustice and cruelty. Instead of respecting the beliefs of the Egyptians or seeking the truth, he chose suspicion and violence. The disappearance of the army in the desert and the execution of innocent officials both stand as tragic results of his reckless rule.
