Greece -- History -- To 146 B.C.; History, Ancient
32. These which have been named were the greatest of the nations who
were arrayed in order by Mardonios, those, I mean, which were the most
renowned and of greatest consideration: but there were in his army
also men of several other nations mingled together, of the Phrygians,
Thracians, Mysians, Paionians, and the rest; and among them also
some Ethiopians, and of the Egyptians those called Hermotybians and
Calasirians, 35 carrying knives, 36 who of all the Egyptians are the
only warriors. These men, while he was yet at Phaleron, he had caused to
disembark from the ships in which they served as fighting-men; for the
Egyptians had not been appointed to serve in the land-army which came
with Xerxes to Athens. Of the Barbarians then there were thirty myriads,
37 as has been declared before; but of the Hellenes who were allies of
Mardonios no man knows what the number was, for they were not numbered;
but by conjecture I judge that these were assembled to the number of
five myriads. These who were placed in array side by side were on foot;
and the cavalry was ranged apart from them in a separate body.
33. When all had been drawn up by nations and by divisions, then on
the next day they offered sacrifice on both sides. For the Hellenes
Tisamenos the son of Antiochos was he who offered sacrifice, for he it
was who accompanied this army as diviner. This man the Lacedemonians had
made to be one of their own people, being an Eleian and of the race
of the Iamidai: 38 for when Tisamenos was seeking divination at Delphi
concerning issue, the Pythian prophetess made answer to him that he
should win five of the greatest contests. He accordingly, missing the
meaning of the oracle, began to attend to athletic games, supposing
that he should win contests of athletics; and he practised for the
"five contests" 39 and came within one fall of winning a victory at the
Olympic games, 40 being set to contend with Hieronymos of Andros. The
Lacedemonians however perceived that the oracle given to Tisamenos had
reference not to athletic but to martial contests, and they endeavoured
to persuade Tisamenos by payment of money, and to make him a leader in
their wars together with the kings of the race of Heracles. He then,
seeing that the Spartans set much store on gaining him over as a friend,
having perceived this, I say, he raised his price and signified to them
that he would do as they desired, if they would make him a citizen of
their State and give him full rights, but for no other payment. The
Spartans at first when they heard this displayed indignation and
altogether gave up their request, but at last, when great terror
was hanging over them of this Persian armament, they gave way 41 and
consented. He then perceiving that they had changed their minds, said
that he could not now be satisfied even so, nor with these terms alone;
but it was necessary that his brother Hegias also should be made a
Spartan citizen on the same terms as he himself became one..
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account