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blind king of Egypt, according to Herodotus

Anysis

Anysis was a king of Egypt who, according to Herodotus, returned to power after fifty years in hiding. He appears only in book II of the Histories, where he is portrayed as a blind ruler who survived in the marshes.

The myth

According to Herodotus, Anysis came from a city that gave him his name, and he was blind. The Ethiopian king Sabacos overthrew him and forced him into hiding.

Anysis took refuge in the marshes of the island of Elbo, where he stayed for half a century. Meanwhile, the Egyptians who brought him food were told to bring some ashes as well, and he heaped them up until they formed an island in the marsh. After those fifty years he regained the throne. Herodotus simply relates the tale and offers no further details about his reign.

Ancient sources: Herodotus, in book II of his Histories.

Trivia

An island of ash. According to Herodotus, Anysis built an island in the marsh of Elbo by piling up ash and earth that his visitors brought along with his food.

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