Why We Love Story Of Emerald (And You Should, Too!)

The Emerald Ring of Polycrates

Herodotus, Father of History (circa 490 to 420 BC). tells the story of King Polycrates of Samos. The king's luck was legendary, but Amasis, an Egyptian colleague, warned him in a letter, "I am pleased to hear, dear friend, that you are doing well; but your abundance of luck gives me pause for thought, as I fear the jealousy of the gods. So take my advice and protect yourself from luck. Reflect on what you love the most, and whose loss would cause you the greatest pain, and throw it away, so that it will never appear again."

When Polycrates had read the letter and had seen that Amasis' advice was good, he considered which of his royal treasures he cherished most. He discovered that it was the emerald set in the gold ring he wore on his finger and used as a seal. It was the work of Theodoros, son of the Samian Telekles. Polycrates decided to dispose of the ring. He summoned a ship with fifty rowers, boarded and ordered the ship out to sea. When he was far from the island, he took off the ring and with all eyes watching. threw it into the sea. He then returned home and was distraught.

Some days later a fisherman honored him with the gift of a large catch:

The fish was opened by the cook,

Who suddenly, with wondering look,

Runs up, and utters these glad sounds. "Within the fish's maw, behold.

I've found, great lord, thy ring of gold!

Thy fortune truly knows no bounds!" The guest with terror turned away.

"I cannot here, then, longer stay, - My friend thou canst no longer be!

The gods have willed that thou shouldst die Lest 1, too, perish, I must fly" 

According to Herodotus, Amasis thought Polycrates was too successful, and advised him to throw away whatever he valued most in order to escape a reversal of fortune. Polycrates followed the advice and threw a jewel-encrusted ring into the sea; however, a few days later, a fisherman caught a large fish that he wished to share with the tyrant. While Polycrates' cooks were preparing the fish for eating, they discovered the ring inside of it. Polycrates told Amasis of his good fortune, and Amasis immediately broke off their alliance, believing that such a lucky man would eventually come to a disastrous end.^[46] Within Herodotus' work, this story serves to advance general themes about the mutability of fortune and how to judge success. Most subsequent references to Polycrates in literature and other media have focused on this story.

He spoke, and sailed thence hastily." or so Friedrich Schiller (translatio anonymous, 1902) continued the story 2,000 years later. Herodotus did not forget to recount the terrible end suffered by the king on a cross in Magnesia.

C.B.