King Ozymandias of Assyria
Published May 20, 2004
King Ozymandias of Assyria was running low on cash after years of war with the Hittites. His last great possession was the Star of the Euphrates, the most valuable diamond in the ancient world.
Desperate, he went to Crosus, the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan.
Crosus said, "I'll give you 100,000 dinars for it." "But I paid a million dinars for it," the King protested. "Don't you know who I am? I am the King!"
Crosus replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star... it makes no difference who you are!"
Originally published May 21, 2004.
