This is not an original story at all, but a copy of a translation of Herodotus. As if this were not enough, it is a very DULL translation. All the poignancy is lost.

Readers who want to study the Hermotimus story with a human interest are recommended to read "Tribute" though they will have to search for it, because "Tribute" is extremely long. The author cleverly brings the gorgeous-looking 11-year-old to life: his grief at being snatched away from home and parents, the horror of the crude surgery to which he (and countless other unfortunate children) were subjected, in the so called "civilisation" of the Persian Empire.

C van D