Tarsus and Anchiale founded by an Assyrian king (1)

Text
Arrian, Anabasis 2.5.2-4:
[Tarsus and Anchiale were] founded, as legend says, by Sardanapalus the Assyrian. The circumference and the foundations of the walls show that the city was large when founded, and grew to great power. Sardanapalus’ monument was near the walls of Anchiale; over it stood Sardanapalus himself, his hands joined just as if to clap, and an epitaph was inscribed in the Assyrian script; the Assyrians said that it was in verse. In any case its meaning according to the words was: “Sardapalus son of Anakyndaraxes built Anchiale and Tarsus in one day; you, stranger, eat, drink and be merry, since other human things are not worth this” - the riddle referring to the noise of a hand-clap. It was said the words ‘be merry’ had a less delicate original in Assyrian.

Source (list of abbreviations) (source links will open in a new browser window)
Arrian, Anabasis 2.5.2-4

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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