Apis

Also known as: Epaphos · Family: Egyptian · Role: sacred calf · First appears: Book 2 · §38–43

Life events

• The Oracle refused the people of Marea and Apis permission to eat everything without distinction.(Book 2 · §17–25 · 📍 Ammon)
  • With: city of Marea Oracle of Ammon
  • “The god however did not permit them to do so, but said that that land which was Egypt which the Nile came over and watered, and that those were Egyptians who dwelling below the city of Elephantine drank of that river.”
• Apis appeared to the Egyptians, who began celebrating.(Book 3 · §22–28 · 📍 Memphis)
  • With: Cambyses
  • “When Cambyses arrived at Memphis, Apis appeared to the Egyptians, whom the Hellenes call Epaphos: and when he had appeared, forthwith the Egyptians began to wear their fairest garments and to have festivities.”
• Cambyses ordered the priests to bring Apis before him.(Book 3 · §22–28 · 📍 Memphis)
  • With: Cambyses
  • “Having put these to death, next he called the priests into his presence; and when the priests answered him after the same manner, he said that it should not be without his knowledge if a tame god had come to the Egyptians; and having so said he bade the priests bring Apis away into his presence”
• Cambyses stabbed Apis in the thigh, mortally wounding him.(Book 3 · §29–35 · 📍 temple)
  • With: Cambyses
  • “Cambyses being somewhat affected with madness drew his dagger, and aiming at the belly of Apis, struck his thigh”
• Apis died from his wound and the priests buried him without Cambyses’s knowledge.(Book 3 · §29–35)
  • “Him, when he had brought his life to an end by reason of the wound, the priests buried without the knowledge of Cambyses”

Book 3 · §22–28

• with Cambyses (Cambyses ordered that Apis be brought before him.) “and having so said he bade the priests bring Apis away into his presence”

Book 3 · §29–35

• with Cambyses (son of Cyrus) (Cambyses wounds Apis.) “Cambyses being somewhat affected with madness drew his dagger, and aiming at the belly of Apis, struck his thigh”

Book 3 · §58–64

• with Cambyses (son of Cyrus) (Cambyses had formerly struck Apis.) “Having been wounded then in the same part where he had formerly struck Apis the god of the Egyptians, and believing that he had been struck with a mortal blow, Cambyses asked what was the name of that town, and they said ”

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Extracted from the original text of The Histories. Made with Rho MD.