Greece -- History -- To 146 B.C.; History, Ancient
134. So much of the story is reported by all the Hellenes, but as to
what followed the Parians alone report, and they say that it happened
thus:--When Miltiades was at a loss, it is said, there came a woman to
speech with him, who had been taken prisoner, a Parian by race whose
name was Timo, an under-priestess 117 of the Earth goddesses; 118 she,
they say, came into the presence of Miltiades and counselled him that if
he considered it a matter of much moment to conquer Paros, he could do
that which she should suggest to him; and upon that she told him her
meaning. He accordingly passed through to the hill which is before the
city and leapt over the fence of the temple of Demeter Giver of Laws,
119 not being able to open the door; and then having leapt over he went
on towards the sanctuary 120 with the design of doing something within,
whether it were that he meant to lay hands on some of the things which
should not be touched, or whatever else he intended to do; and when he
had reached the door, forthwith a shuddering fear came over him and he
set off to go back the same way as he came, and as he leapt down from
the wall of rough stones his thigh was dislocated, or, as others say, he
struck his knee against the wall..
135. Miltiades accordingly, being in a wretched case, set forth to sail
homewards, neither bringing wealth to the Athenians nor having added
to them the possession of Paros, but having besieged the city for
six-and-twenty days and laid waste the island: and the Parians being
informed that Timo the under-priestess of the goddesses had acted as
a guide to Miltiades, desired to take vengeance upon her for this, and
they sent messengers to Delphi to consult the god, so soon as they had
leisure from the siege; and these messengers they sent to ask whether
they should put to death the under-priestess of the goddesses, who had
been a guide to their enemies for the capture of her native city and had
revealed to Miltiades the mysteries which might not be uttered to a male
person. The Pythian prophetess however forbade them, saying that Timo
was not the true author of these things, but since it was destined that
Miltiades should end his life not well, she had appeared to guide him to
his evil fate..
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