The book of the ancient Greeks: An introduction to the history and civilization of Greece from the coming of the Greeks to the conquest of Corinth by Rome in 146 B.C. — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The book of the ancient Greeks: An introduction to the history and civilization of Greece from the coming of the Greeks to the conquest of Corinth by Rome in 146 B.C.
John Stuart Mill · en
Winter came on, and the cold was terrible. In one place they marched
through deep snow, with the north wind blowing in their teeth,
benumbing the men. They suffered from snow-blindness and {321}
frostbite, and some of them in despair refused to go on. But in
spite of all these hardships, the greater number went on, until at
length they reached a city where they were given a friendly
reception. The governor of the city gave them a guide, who promised
that within five days he would lead them to a place from which they
would see the sea, "and," he added, "if I fail of my word, you are
free to take my life." He kept his promise, and on the fifth day
they reached a mountain which the men in front immediately climbed.
From the top they caught sight of the sea, a symbol to the Greeks of
home and safety. A great cry arose and the shout grew louder and
louder, so that Xenophon feared that something extraordinary had
happened and he mounted his horse and galloped to the rescue. But as
he drew nearer, he heard the soldiers shouting and passing on to each
other the joyful cry: "Thalatta! Thalatta!" "The Sea! The Sea!"
When all had reached the summit, they fell to embracing one another,
generals and officers and all, and the tears flowed down their cheeks.
The Sea was the Euxine, and without very great difficulty the Greeks
found ships which took them home. But before they left the spot from
whence they had first seen the sea, they erected a great pile of
stones, on which they laid all that was left to them of their scanty
possessions, some skins, and wicker shields and staves, and these
they dedicated to the Gods of Greece for having granted them so great
a deliverance.
[1] See A. E. Zimmern: _The Greek Commonwealth_.
[2] Thucydides, I.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Thucydides, I.
[5] Plutarch: _Life of Pericles_.
[6] Euripides: _The Trojan Women_, translated by Gilbert Murray.
[7] See p. 386.
[8] From Plutarch: _Life of Alcibiades_.
[9] Ibid.
[10] _Thucydides_, VI.
[11] Thucydides, VI.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Plutarch: _Life of Alcibiades_.
[14] From Plutarch: _Life of Alcibiades_.
[15] Thucydides, VII.
[16] Thucydides, VIII.
[17] Plutarch: _Life of Alcibiades_.
[18] Xenophon: Hellenica, II.
[19] Xenophon: Hellenica II.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Based on Xenophon: _The Anabasis_.
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CHAPTER XVII
THE GREAT DAYS OF THEBES
I. LEGENDS AND EARLY HISTORY OF THEBES