diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/66070-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/66070-h.htm | 16252 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 245233 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_001.jpg | bin | 249490 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_002.jpg | bin | 258454 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_004.png | bin | 223411 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_006.jpg | bin | 260392 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_010.jpg | bin | 259588 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_018.jpg | bin | 248986 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_020.jpg | bin | 260109 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_034.jpg | bin | 258633 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_068.jpg | bin | 252424 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_096.jpg | bin | 256727 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_102.jpg | bin | 252239 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_136.jpg | bin | 247272 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_170.jpg | bin | 250540 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_188.jpg | bin | 249405 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_196.jpg | bin | 258276 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_220.jpg | bin | 252030 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_238.jpg | bin | 252392 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_258.jpg | bin | 257889 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_304.jpg | bin | 256386 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_310.jpg | bin | 255603 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66070-h/images/i_348.jpg | bin | 252069 -> 0 bytes |
23 files changed, 0 insertions, 16252 deletions
diff --git a/old/66070-h/66070-h.htm b/old/66070-h/66070-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 7df1f6a..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/66070-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16252 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Story of Greece, by Mary MacGregor—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 2.5em; - margin-right: 2.5em; -} - -h1, h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; - margin-top: 2.5em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - word-spacing: .2em; -} - -h1 {line-height: 1;} - -h2+p {margin-top: 1.5em;} -h2 .subhead {display: block; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} - -.transnote h2 { - margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: 1em; -} - -.subhead { - text-indent: 0; - text-align: center; - font-size: smaller; -} - -p { - text-indent: 1.75em; - margin-top: .51em; - margin-bottom: .24em; - text-align: justify; -} -.caption p, .center p, p.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0;} - -.p1 {margin-top: 1em;} -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.vspace {line-height: 1.5;} - -.in0 {text-indent: 0;} - -.small {font-size: 70%;} -.smaller {font-size: 85%;} -.larger {font-size: 125%;} -.large {font-size: 150%;} -.xxlarge {font-size: 200%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} -.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} -.firstword {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.bold {font-weight: bold;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin: 4em auto 4em auto; - clear: both; -} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - max-width: 80%; - border-collapse: collapse; -} - -#toc td, #loi td {padding-bottom: .5em;} -#toc .small td, #loi .small td {padding-bottom: 0;} - -.tdl { - text-align: left; - vertical-align: top; - padding-right: 1em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-indent: -1.5em; -} - -.tdr { - text-align: right; - vertical-align: bottom; - padding-left: .3em; - white-space: nowrap; -} -.tdr.top{vertical-align: top; padding-left: 0; padding-right: .75em;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: .25em; - text-indent: 0; - text-align: right; - font-size: 70%; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - font-style: normal; - letter-spacing: normal; - line-height: normal; - color: #acacac; - border: .0625em solid #acacac; - background: #ffffff; - padding: .0625em .125em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: 4em auto 4em auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; - -} -.figcenter.samepage {margin: 2em auto 2em auto;} - -img { - padding: 1em 0 .5em 0; - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -a.ref {text-decoration: none;} - -.caption {text-align: center; margin-top: 0;} - -ul {margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 0;} -li {list-style-type: none; padding-left: 2em; text-indent: -2.5em; text-align: left;} - -a.ref {text-decoration: none;} - -.index {margin-left: 1em;} -ul.index {padding-left: 0;} -li {list-style-type: none;} -li.indx, li.ifrst {list-style-type: none; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em; padding-top: .2em;} -li.isub1 {padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -2em;} -li.ifrst {padding-top: 1em;} - -.poetry-container { - margin: 1.5em auto; - text-align: center; - font-size: 98%; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; - margin-left: 0; -} - -.poetry .stanza {padding: 0.5em 0;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} - -.poetry .indentsq {text-indent: -3.33em;} -.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} -.poetry .indent14 {text-indent: 4em;} -.poetry .indent16 {text-indent: 5em;} -.poetry .indent2 {text-indent: -2em;} -.poetry .indent30 {text-indent: 12em;} -.poetry .indent32 {text-indent: 13em;} -.poetry .indent36 {text-indent: 15em;} -.poetry .indent6 {text-indent: 0em;} - -.transnote { - background-color: #999999; - border: thin dotted; - font-family: sans-serif, serif; - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 5%; - margin-top: 4em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - padding: 1em; -} - -.sigright { - margin-right: 2em; - text-align: right;} - -.gesperrt { - letter-spacing: 0.2em; - margin-right: -0.2em; -} -.wspace {word-spacing: .3em;} - -span.locked {white-space:nowrap;} -.pagenum br {display: none; visibility: hidden;} - -@media print, handheld -{ - body {margin: 0;} - - h1, .chapter, .newpage {page-break-before: always;} - h1.nobreak, h2.nobreak, .nobreak {page-break-before: avoid; padding-top: 0;} - - p { - margin-top: .5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .25em; - } - - table {width: auto; max-width: 100%; margin: 1em auto 1em auto;} - - .tdl { - padding-left: 1em; - text-indent: -1em; - padding-right: 0; - } - - .figcenter { - max-width: 100%; - margin: 0 auto 0 auto; - page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always; - } - .figcenter.samepage { - margin: 2em auto 2em auto; - page-break-before: avoid; - page-break-after: avoid; - } - - img {max-height: 80%;} - - hr { - margin-top: .1em; - margin-bottom: .1em; - visibility: hidden; - color: white; - width: .01em; - display: none; - } - - ul {margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 0;} - li {list-style-type: none; padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1.5em;} - - .poetry-container {text-align: center;} - .poetry {display: block; text-align: left; margin-left: 4em;} - .poetry .stanza {page-break-inside: avoid;} - - .transnote { - page-break-inside: avoid; - margin-left: 2%; - margin-right: 2%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - padding: .5em; - } - - .index {margin-left: 0;} - -} - - </style> - </head> - -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Story of Greece: Told to Boys and Girls, by Mary Macgregor</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Story of Greece: Told to Boys and Girls</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Mary Macgregor</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Walter Crane</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 15, 2021 [eBook #66070]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Turgut Dincer, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF GREECE: TOLD TO BOYS AND GIRLS ***</div> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="center larger">Transcriber's Note</p> - -<p>Larger versions of most illustrations may be seen by right-clicking them -and selecting an option to view them separately, or by double-tapping and/or -stretching them.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="max-width: 30em;"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="2352" height="3507" alt="" /> -</div> - -<h1>THE STORY OF GREECE</h1> - -<div id="i_frontis" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_001.jpg" width="1795" height="2495" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">She changed her into a spider.</div></div> - -<div class="newpage p4 center vspace wspace"> -<p class="large gesperrt"> -<span class="bold">THE</span><br /> -<span class="xxlarge">STORY OF GREECE</span></p> - -<p class="p2 smaller">TOLD TO BOYS AND GIRLS BY</p> - -<p class="p1 large">MARY MACGREGOR</p> - -<p class="p1 small">AUTHOR OF ‘THE STORY OF ROME’<br /> -‘THE STORY OF FRANCE,’ ETC.</p> - -<p class="p2">WITH NINETEEN PLATES IN COLOUR<br /> -BY WALTER CRANE</p> - -<div id="if_i_002" class="figcenter samepage" style="max-width: 14em;"> - <img src="images/i_002.jpg" width="862" height="834" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="p2 large">LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span><br /> -<span class="small">35 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C., & EDINBURGH</span> -</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage p4 center vspace wspace larger"> -TO<br /> -<span class="larger">JOYCE MOFFAT SCOTT</span> -</p> -<hr /> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">vii</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="smcap">Dear little Joyce</span>,—One of the reasons why this book -is to be your very own is that the story it tells begins in -Wonderland, and that is a land in which you and all other -little people wander at will.</p> - -<p>Grown up children, men and women as we call them, -do not know the secrets of this strange land, yet there are -a few who can always find their way across its border, as -they used to do when they were small like you. Some few -others there are who remember its secrets well.</p> - -<p>Shall I tell you some of the things you hear and see and -do in Wonderland?</p> - -<p>Why, when the wind blows soft, faint whispers reach -your ear, but you alone know what the whispers tell. When -the brooks gurgle you hear joyous laughter, and in the -springs of water you see the sparkle of elfin eyes.</p> - -<p>As the bluebells shake in the breeze, your tiny feet march -to the music of fairy bands, as the raindrops fall you gather -pearls with your little hands.</p> - -<p>The secrets of this strange Wonderland make you so -glad that you laugh and dance and sing.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful world,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">With the wonderful water round you curled,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And the wonderful grass upon your breast,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">World you are wonderfully drest.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The ancient Wonderland of Hellas, of which this story -tells, was unlike your Wonderland in this, that men and -women dwelt in it as well as boys and girls, and they, too, -saw and heard its secrets. And this was because, in a way -not known to-day, each had kept the heart of a little child.</p> - -<p>So it was that these men and women heard voices in the -wind and laughter in the streams, so it was that they saw -eyes in water springs and pearls in raindrops.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">viii</span></p> - -<p>More even than these things the Hellenes saw. For -across lone hillsides, through busy fields, in sacred groves -and flower-sweet meadows, radiant figures sped. And the -simple folk catching glimpses of these flitting forms said -one to the other, ‘The gods have come to live among us. -Their presence it is that makes the earth so fair, so wonderful.’ -As the years passed and the Hellenes grew older, sterner -times came. Cities sprang up on hillsides and by river-banks, -and the gods were seldom seen. Men went to war, -battles were lost and won.</p> - -<p>But never, in victory or in defeat, did the people lose -their early love of beauty, or that strange, dreamy sense of -wonder, which from the beginning was ever plucking at -their hearts.</p> - -<p>They longed to fulfil their dreams of beauty, they wished -to re-shape the world.</p> - -<p>But, because the world was so great, so wide, they began -with one of their cities, the one of which a poet sang,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘O rich and renowned and with violets crowned,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">O Athens the envied of nations.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Here they built temples which became the wonder of -the world, and in them they placed statues of the old gods -of Hellas, beautiful statues wrought by master hands out -of ivory and gold.</p> - -<p>Poets and philosophers lived in Athens, too, and so -literature and art spread the glory of Greece far and wide, -moulding the thoughts and quickening the deeds of many -peoples.</p> - -<p>Before the glory of Greece faded, Europe had learned -from her to follow truth, to love beauty.</p> - -<p>This story tells but a small part of the wonder of this -land, yet I hope that it will make you love her and wish to -learn more about her.—Your friend,</p> - -<p class="sigright larger"> -MARY MACGREGOR. -</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">ix</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> -<tr class="small"> - <td class="tdr">CHAP.</td> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">I.</td> - <td class="tdl">WONDERLAND</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">II.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE GREAT GOD PAN</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">3</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">III.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SIX POMEGRANATE SEEDS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">6</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">IV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BIRTH OF ATHENE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">11</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">V.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE TWO WEAVERS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">13</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE PURPLE FLOWERS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">16</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VII.</td> - <td class="tdl">DANAE AND HER LITTLE SON</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">18</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE QUEST OF PERSEUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">22</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">IX.</td> - <td class="tdl">ANDROMEDA AND THE SEA-MONSTER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">26</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">X.</td> - <td class="tdl">ACRISIUS IS KILLED BY PERSEUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">29</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ACHILLES AND BRISEIS THE FAIRCHEEKED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">32</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XII.</td> - <td class="tdl">MENELAUS AND PARIS DO BATTLE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">38</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">41</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE HORSES OF ACHILLES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">44</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DEATH OF HECTOR</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">48</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">POLYPHEMUS THE GIANT</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">54</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ODYSSEUS ESCAPES FROM THE CAVE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">58</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ODYSSEUS RETURNS TO ITHACA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">61</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">ARGUS THE HOUND DIES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">64</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XX.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BOW OF ODYSSEUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">67</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">x</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE LAND OF HELLAS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">72</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXII.</td> - <td class="tdl">LYCURGUS AND HIS LITTLE NEPHEW</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">76</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">LYCURGUS RETURNS TO SPARTA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">79</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE TRAINING OF THE SPARTANS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">82</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE HELOTS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">85</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ARISTOMENES AND THE FOX</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">89</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE OLYMPIAN GAMES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">94</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE LAST KING OF ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">97</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">CYLON FAILS TO MAKE HIMSELF TYRANT</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">100</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXX.</td> - <td class="tdl">SOLON FREES THE SLAVES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">102</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE ATHENIANS TAKE SALAMIS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">106</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXII.</td> - <td class="tdl">PISISTRATUS BECOMES TYRANT</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">109</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">HARMODIUS AND ARISTOGITON</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">113</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE LAW OF OSTRACISM</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">116</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BRIDGE OF BOATS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">118</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">DARIUS REWARDS HISTIAEUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">121</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">HISTIAEUS SHAVES THE HEAD OF HIS SLAVE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">123</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">SARDIS IS DESTROYED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">126</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XXXIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SANDAL SEWN BY HISTIAEUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">129</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XL.</td> - <td class="tdl">DARIUS DEMANDS EARTH AND WATER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">131</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF MARATHON</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">134</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLII.</td> - <td class="tdl">MILTIADES SAILS TO THE ISLAND OF PAROS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">137</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ARISTIDES IS OSTRACISED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">140</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DREAM OF XERXES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">145</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLV.</td> - <td class="tdl">XERXES ORDERS THE HELLESPONT TO BE SCOURGED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">148</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">‘THE BRAVEST MEN OF ALL HELLAS’</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">153</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">xi</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">156</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF ARTEMISIUM</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">161</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XLIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">THEMISTOCLES URGES EURYBIADES TO STAY AT SALAMIS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">163</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">L.</td> - <td class="tdl">THEMISTOCLES TRICKS THE ADMIRALS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_L">167</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LI">169</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF PLATAEA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LII">173</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DELIAN LEAGUE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">178</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THEMISTOCLES DECEIVES THE SPARTANS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">182</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THEMISTOCLES IS OSTRACISED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV">185</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE ELOQUENCE OF PERICLES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">189</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">PERICLES AND ELPINICE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVII">194</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE CITY OF ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVIII">196</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">GREAT MEN OF ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIX">200</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LX.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LX">202</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ATTICA IS INVADED BY THE SPARTANS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXI">205</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE LAST WORDS OF PERICLES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXII">207</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SIEGE OF PLATAEA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIII">210</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SENTENCE OF DEATH</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIV">214</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXV.</td> - <td class="tdl">BRASIDAS LOSES HIS SHIELD</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXV">218</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SPARTANS SURRENDER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">221</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">BRASIDAS THE SPARTAN</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVII">225</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">AMPHIPOLIS SURRENDERS TO BRASIDAS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVIII">228</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALCIBIADES THE FAVOURITE OF ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIX">232</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXX.</td> - <td class="tdl">SOCRATES THE PHILOSOPHER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXX">237</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALCIBIADES PRAISES SOCRATES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXI">240</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE IMAGES OF HERMES ARE DESTROYED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">244</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">xii</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALCIBIADES ESCAPES TO SPARTA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">247</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SIEGE OF SYRACUSE</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIV">249</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE ATHENIAN ARMY IS DESTROYED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXV">252</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALCIBIADES RETURNS TO ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXVI">255</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ANTIOCHUS DISOBEYS ALCIBIADES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXVII">258</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE WALLS OF ATHENS ARE DESTROYED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXVIII">261</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE MARCH OF THE TEN THOUSAND</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIX">264</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXX.</td> - <td class="tdl">PELOPIDAS AND EPAMINONDAS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXX">269</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SEVEN CONSPIRATORS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXI">273</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF LEUCTRA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXII">277</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DEATH OF EPAMINONDAS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXIII">281</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE TWO BROTHERS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXIV">286</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXV.</td> - <td class="tdl">TIMOLEON SENDS DIONYSIUS TO CORINTH</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXV">289</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ICETES TRIES TO SLAY TIMOLEON</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXVI">293</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF CRIMISUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXVII">296</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">DEMOSTHENES WISHES TO BECOME AN ORATOR</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXVIII">300</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">LXXXIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">DEMOSTHENES THE GREATEST ORATOR OF ATHENS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXXIX">303</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XC.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SACRED WAR</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XC">306</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER AND BUCEPHALUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCI">309</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER AND DIOGENES</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCII">312</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF GRANICUS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCIII">315</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE GORDIAN KNOT</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCIV">318</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCV.</td> - <td class="tdl">DARIUS GALLOPS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCV">321</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">TYRE IS STORMED BY ALEXANDER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCVI">325</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCVII">328</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCVIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER BURNS PERSEPOLIS</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCVIII">331</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">xiii</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XCIX.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER SLAYS HIS FOSTER-BROTHER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_XCIX">334</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">C.</td> - <td class="tdl">PORUS AND HIS ELEPHANT</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_C">338</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">CI.</td> - <td class="tdl">ALEXANDER IS WOUNDED</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_CI">342</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">CII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_CII">345</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">CIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">DEMOSTHENES IN THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#CHAPTER_CIII">349</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdl">INDEX</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#INDEX">353</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">xiv</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<table id="loi" summary="List of Illustratios"> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">She changed her into a spider,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#i_frontis"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> -</tr> -<tr class="small"> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr">AT PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Sweet, piercing sweet was the music of Pan’s pipe,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_006">6</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Demeter rejoiced for her daughter was by her side,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_010">10</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The Wind-god sent a gust from the South,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_018">18</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">For two days and two nights the boat was tossed hither and thither,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_020">20</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Often she would stand upon the walls of Troy,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_034">34</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">‘Yea, verily, thou art Odysseus,’</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_068">68</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">In the earliest times, a simple foot-race was the only event,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_096">96</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Solon, the wise lawgiver of Athens,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_102">102</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">They crashed into the Persian army with tremendous force,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_136">136</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Ship dashed against ship, till the Persian dead strewed the deep ‘like flowers,’</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_170">170</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">He stood silent before the king,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_188">188</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The figure of the goddess was a colossal one,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_196">196</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">He became a target for every arrow,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_220">220</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">He drank the contents as though it were a draught of wine,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_238">238</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The multitude saluted him with loud acclamations,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_258">258</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">He left the assembly, hiding his face in his cloak,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_304">304</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">He ran toward the horse and seized the bridle,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_310">310</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">With an effort he looked at them as they passed,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#if_i_348">348</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<div id="if_i_004" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 37.812em;"> - <img src="images/i_004.png" width="1815" height="2234" alt="" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">1</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="THE_STORY_OF_GREECE"><span class="larger">THE STORY OF GREECE</span></h2> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<span class="subhead">WONDERLAND</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> story of Greece began long, long ago in a strange -wonderland of beauty. Woods and winds, fields and rivers, -each had a pathway which led upward and onward into the -beautiful land. Sometimes indeed no path was needed, for -the rivers, woods, and lone hill-sides were themselves the -wonderland of which I am going to tell.</p> - -<p>In the woods and winds, in the trees and rivers, dwelt -the gods and goddesses whom the people of long ago worshipped. -It was their presence in the world that made it -so great, so wide, so wonderful.</p> - -<p>To the Hellenes, for that is the name by which the Greeks -called themselves, there were eyes, living eyes in flowers, -trees, and water. ‘So crowded full is the air with them,’ -wrote one poet who lived in the far-off days, ‘that there is -no room to put in the spike of an ear of corn without touching -one.’</p> - -<p>When the wind blew soft, the Hellenes listened to the -whispering of a voice. When it blew rough, and snatched -one of the children from their midst, they did not greatly -grieve. The child had but gone to be the playmate of the -gods.</p> - -<p>The springs sparkled clear, for in them dwelt the Naiads -or freshwater nymphs, with gifts as great as the river gods, -who were ofttimes seen and heard amid the churning, -tossing waters.</p> - -<p>In the trees dwelt the Dryads, nymphs these of the forest,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">2</span> -whom the Hellenes saw but seldom. Shy nymphs were the -Dryads, born each one at the birth of a tree, in which she -dwelt, fading away when the tree was felled, or when it -withered and died.</p> - -<p>Their revels were held in some wooded mountain, far -from the haunts of men. Were a human footfall heard, the -frolics ceased on the instant, while each Dryad sped swift -for shelter to the tree of her birth.</p> - -<p>So the gods wandered through the land, filling the earth -with their presence. Yet there was one lofty mountain in -central Greece, named Mount Olympus, which the Hellenes -believed was the peculiar home of the gods. It was to this -great mount that the actual roads on which the Hellenes -walked each day seemed ever to lead.</p> - -<p>On the sides of the mountain, green trees and dark pines -clustered close. The summit reached high up, beyond the -clouds, so used the ancient people to tell. Here, where no -human foot had ever climbed, up beyond the twinkling -stars, was the abode of the gods.</p> - -<p>What the Hellenes never saw with their eyes, they saw -quite clear with their imagination. Within the clouds, -where the gods dwelt, they gazed in this strange way, upon -marble halls, glistening with gold and silver, upon thrones -too, great white thrones, finer far than those on which an -earthly king might sit. The walls gleamed with rainbow -tints, and beauty as of dawns and sunsets was painted over -the vast arches of Olympus.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">3</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE GREAT GOD PAN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> supreme god of the Hellenes was Zeus. He dwelt in -the sky, yet on earth, too, he had a sanctuary amid the oak-woods -of Dodona.</p> - -<p>When the oak-leaves stirred, his voice was heard, mysterious -as the voice of the mightiest of all the gods.</p> - -<p>In days long after these, Phidias, a great Greek sculptor, -made an image of Zeus. The form and the face of the -god he moulded into wondrous beauty, so that men gazing -saw sunshine on the brow, and in the eyes gladness and -warmth as of summer skies.</p> - -<p>Even so, if you watch, you may catch on the faces of -those whose home is on the hill-side, or by the sea, a glimpse -of the beauty and the wonder amid which they dwell.</p> - -<p>It was only in very early times that the chief sanctuary of -Zeus was at Dodona. Before they had dwelt long in Hellas, -the Hellenes built a great temple in the plain of Olympia -to their supreme god and named it the Olympian temple.</p> - -<p>Here a gold and ivory statue of the god was placed, and -to the quiet courts of the temple came the people, singing -hymns and marching in joyous procession.</p> - -<p>Zeus had stolen his great power from his father Kronus, -with the help of his brothers and sisters. To reward them -for their aid the god gave to them provinces over which they -ruled in his name. Hera, Zeus chose as queen to reign -with him. To Poseidon was given the sea, and a palace -beneath the waves of the ocean, adorned with seaweed and -with shells.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">4</span></p> - -<p>Pluto was made the guardian of Hades, that dark and -gloomy kingdom of the dead, beneath the earth, while -Demeter was goddess of the earth, and her gifts were flowers, -fruits, and bounteous harvests.</p> - -<p>Athene was the goddess of war and wisdom, yet often -she was to be seen weaving or embroidering, while by her -table sat her favourite bird, an owl.</p> - -<p>Hermes was known as the fleet-footed, for on his feet he -wore winged sandals to speed him swift on the errands of -the gods.</p> - -<p>Apollo, the Sun-god, was the youngest of all the Olympian -deities. He dwelt at Parnassus on the eastern coast of -Greece, and his sanctuary was at Delphi.</p> - -<p>The fairest of the goddesses was Aphrodite, Queen of -Love. Her little son was named Eros, and he never grew -up. Always he was a little rosy, dimpled child, carrying in -his hands a bow and arrows.</p> - -<p>Many more gods and goddesses were there in the wonder -days of long ago, but of only one more may I stay to tell -you now.</p> - -<p>The great god Pan, protector of the shepherds and their -flocks, was half man, half goat. Every one loved this strange -god, who yet ofttimes startled mortals by his wild and wilful -ways. When to-day a sudden, needless fear overtakes a -crowd, and we say a panic has fallen upon it, we are using -a word which we learned from the name of this old pagan -god.</p> - -<p>Down by the streams the great god Pan was sometimes -seen to <span class="locked">wander—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘What was he doing, the great god Pan,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Down in the reeds by the river?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Spreading ruin and scattering ban,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Splashing and paddling with hoofs of a goat,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And breaking the golden lilies afloat,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">With the dragon-fly on the river.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘He tore out a reed, the great god Pan,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">From the deep cool bank of the river,’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span></p> -<p class="in0">and then sitting down he ‘hacked and hewed, as a great -god can,’ at the slender reed. He made it hollow, and -notched out holes, and lo! there was a flute ready for his -use.</p> - -<p>Sweet, piercing sweet was the music of Pan’s pipe as the -god placed his mouth upon the holes.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Blinding sweet, O great god Pan!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The sun on the hill forgot to die,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And the lilies revived, and the dragon-fly</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Came back to dream on the river.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>On the hill-sides and in the fields of Hellas, the shepherds -heard the music of their god and were merry, knowing that -he was on his way to frolic and to dance among them.</p> - -<p>Pan lived for many, many a long year; but there is a -story which tells how on the first glad Christmas eve, when -Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a traveller, as he passed -Tarentum, the chief Greek city in Italy, heard a voice crying, -‘The great god Pan is dead.’</p> - -<p>And when this same Jesus had grown to be a Man, and -‘hung for love’s sake on a Cross,’ one of our own women -poets sings that all the old gods of Greece</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6">‘fell down moaning,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Each from off his golden seat;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All the false gods with a cry,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Rendered up their deity,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Pan, Pan was dead.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">And the reason that the old gods fell was that the strange -Man upon the Cross was mightier than they. But in the days -of ancient Greece the gods were alive and strong; of that -the Hellenes were very sure.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">6</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SIX POMEGRANATE SEEDS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Demeter,</span> the goddess of the earth, was often to be seen in -the fields in springtime. As the Greek peasants sowed their -seed they caught glimpses of her long yellow hair while she -moved now here, now there, among them. It almost -seemed to these simple folk as though already the bare fields -were golden with the glory of harvest, so bright shone the -yellow hair of the goddess. Then they smiled hopefully -one to the other, knowing well that Demeter would give -them a bounteous reaping-time.</p> - -<p>In the autumn she was in the fields again, the peasants -even dreamed that they saw her stoop to bind the -sheaves. Certainly she had been known to visit their barns -when the harvest was safely garnered. And stranger -still, it was whispered among the womenfolk that the -great Earth-Mother had entered their homes, had stood -close beside them as they baked bread to feed their hungry -households.</p> - -<p>It was in the beautiful island of Sicily, which lies in the -Mediterranean Sea, that the goddess had her home. Here -she dwelt with her daughter Persephone, whom she loved -more dearly than words can tell.</p> - -<p>Persephone was young and fair, so fair that she seemed -as one of the spring flowers that leaped into life when her -mother touched the earth with her gracious hands.</p> - -<div id="if_i_006" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_006.jpg" width="1812" height="2516" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Sweet, piercing sweet was the music of Pan’s pipe</div></div> - -<p>Early as the dawn the maiden was in the fields with -Demeter, to gather violets while the dew still lay upon them, -to dance and sing with her playmates. At other times she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">7</span> -would move gravely by the side of her mother to help her in -her quiet labours.</p> - -<p>All this time, Pluto, King of Hades, was living in his -gloomy kingdom underground, longing for some fair maiden -to share his throne. But there was not one who was willing -to leave the glad light of the sun, no, not though Pluto -offered her the most brilliant gems in his kingdom.</p> - -<p>One day the dark king came up out of the shadows, riding -in his chariot of gold, drawn by immortal horses. Swifter -was their pace than that of any mortal steeds.</p> - -<p>Persephone was in a meadow with her playfellows when -the king drew near. The maiden stood knee-deep amid -the meadow-grass, and, stooping, plucked the fragrant sweet -flowers all around her—hyacinth, lilies, roses, and pale -violets.</p> - -<p>Pluto saw the group of happy maidens, beautiful each -one as a day in spring, but it was Persephone who charmed -him more than any other.</p> - -<p>‘She shall be my queen and share my throne,’ muttered -the gloomy king to himself. Then, for he knew that to woo -the maiden would be vain, Pluto seized Persephone in his -arms, and bore her weeping to his chariot.</p> - -<p>Swift as an arrow the immortal steeds sped from the -meadow, where Persephone’s playmates were left terror-stricken -and dismayed.</p> - -<p>On and on flew the chariot. Pluto was in haste to reach -Hades ere Demeter should miss her daughter.</p> - -<p>A river lay across his path, but of this the king recked -naught, for his steeds would bear him across without so -much as lessening their speed.</p> - -<p>But as the chariot drew near, the waters began to rise -as though driven by a tempest. Soon they were lashed to -such fury that Pluto saw that it was vain to hope to cross -to the other side. So he seized his sceptre, and in a passion -he struck three times upon the ground. At once a great -chasm opened in the earth, and down into the darkness<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span> -plunged the horses. A moment more and Pluto was in his -own kingdom, Persephone by his side.</p> - -<p>When the king seized the maiden in the meadow, and -bore her to his chariot, she had cried aloud to Zeus, her father, -to save her. But Zeus had made no sign, nor had any -heard save Hecate, a mysterious goddess, whose face was -half hidden by a veil.</p> - -<p>None other heard, yet her piteous cry echoed through -the hills and woods, until at length the faint echo reached -the ear of Demeter.</p> - -<p>A great pain plucked at the heart of the mother as she -heard, and throwing the blue hood from off her shoulders, -and loosening her long yellow hair, Demeter set forth, swift -as a bird, to seek for Persephone until she found her.</p> - -<p>To her own home first she hastened, for there, she thought, -she might find some trace of the child she loved so well. -But the rooms were desolate as ‘an empty bird’s nest or an -empty fold.’</p> - -<p>The mother’s eyes searched eagerly in every corner, but -nothing met her gaze save the embroidery Persephone had -been working, ‘a gift against the return of her mother, -with labour all to be in vain.’ It lay as she had flung it -down in careless mood, and over it crept a spider, spinning -his delicate web across the maiden’s unfinished work.</p> - -<p>For nine days Demeter wandered up and down the earth, -carrying blazing torches in her hands. Her sorrow was so -great that she would neither eat nor drink, no, not even ambrosia, -or a cup of sweet nectar, which are the meat and drink -of the gods. Nor would she wash her face. On the tenth -day Hecate came towards her, but she had only heard the -voice of the maiden, and could not tell Demeter who had -carried her away.</p> - -<p>Onward sped the unhappy mother, sick at heart for hope -unfulfilled, onward until she reached the sun. Here she -learned that it was Pluto who had stolen her daughter, and -carried her away to his gloomy kingdom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span></p> - -<p>Then in her despair Demeter left all her duties undone, -and a terrible famine came upon the earth. ‘The dry seed -remained hidden in the soil; in vain the oxen drew the -ploughshare through the furrows.’</p> - -<p>As the days passed the misery of the people grew greater -and greater, until faint and starving they came to Demeter, -and besought her once again to bless the earth.</p> - -<p>But sorrow had made the heart of the goddess hard, and -she listened unmoved to the entreaties of the hungry folk, -saying only that until her daughter was found she could -not care for their griefs.</p> - -<p>Long, weary days Demeter journeyed over land and sea -to seek for Persephone, but at length she came back to -Sicily.</p> - -<p>One day as she walked along the bank of a river, the -water gurgled gladly, and a little wave carried a girdle -almost to her feet.</p> - -<p>Demeter stooped to pick it up, and lo! it was the girdle -that Persephone had worn on the day that she had been -carried away. The maiden had flung it into the river as -the chariot had plunged into the abyss, hoping that it might -reach her mother. The girdle could not help Demeter to -recover her daughter, yet how glad she was to have it, how -safe she treasured it!</p> - -<p>At length, broken-hearted indeed, Demeter went to Zeus -to beg him to give her back her daughter. ‘If she returns -the people shall again have food and plenteous harvests,’ -she cried. And the god, touched with the grief of the mother -and the sore distress of the people, promised that Persephone -should come back to earth, if she had eaten no food while -she had lived in the gloomy kingdom of Hades.</p> - -<p>No words can tell the joy with which Demeter hastened -to Hades. Here she found her daughter with no smile -upon her sweet face, but only tears of desire for her mother -and the dear light of the sun. But alas! that very day -Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds. For every<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span> -seed that she had eaten she was doomed to spend a month -each year with Pluto. But for the other six months, year -after year, mother and daughter would dwell together, and -as they clung to one another they were joyous and content.</p> - -<p>So for six glad months each year Demeter rejoiced, for -her daughter was by her side, and ever it was spring and -summer while Persephone dwelt on earth. But when the -time came for her to return to Hades, Demeter grew ever -cold and sad, and the earth too became weary and grey. -It was autumn and winter in the world until Persephone -returned once more.</p> - -<div id="if_i_010" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_010.jpg" width="1810" height="2522" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Demeter rejoiced, for her daughter was by her side</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">11</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BIRTH OF ATHENE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">One</span> day Zeus was ill. To us it is strange to think of the -gods as suffering the same pains as mortals suffer, but to the -Hellenes it seemed quite natural.</p> - -<p>Zeus was ill. His head ached so severely that he bade -all the gods assemble in Olympus to find a cure for his pain. -But not one of them, not even Apollo, who was god of -medicine as well as Sun-god, could ease the suffering deity.</p> - -<p>After a time Zeus grew impatient with the cruel pain, and -resolved at all costs to end it. So he sent for his strong son -Hephaestus, and bade him take an axe and cleave open his -head.</p> - -<p>Hephaestus did not hesitate to obey, and no sooner had -the blow descended than from his father’s head sprang forth -Athene, the goddess of war and wisdom. She was clad -in armour of pure gold, and held in her hand a spear, poised -as though for battle. From her lips rang a triumphant -war-song.</p> - -<p>The assembled gods gazed in wonder, not unmixed with -fear at the warrior goddess, who had so suddenly appeared -in their midst. But she herself stood unmoved before them, -while a great earthquake shook the land and proclaimed to -the dwellers in Hellas the birth of a new god.</p> - -<p>Athene was a womanly goddess as well as a warlike one. -She presided over all kinds of needlework, and herself loved -to weave beautiful tapestries.</p> - -<p>Soon after the birth of the goddess a man named Cecrops -came to a province in Greece, which was afterwards known<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> -as Attica. Here he began to build a city, which grew so -beautiful beneath his hands that the gods in Olympus -marvelled. When it was finished, each of the gods wished -to choose a name for the city Cecrops had built.</p> - -<p>As only one name could be used, the gods met in a great -council to determine what was to be done. Soon, one by -one, each gave up his wish to name the city, save only -Athene and Poseidon.</p> - -<p>Then Zeus decreed that Athene and Poseidon should -create an object which would be of use to mortals. To -name the city and to care for it should be the prize of the -one who produced the more useful gift.</p> - -<p>Poseidon at once seized his three-pronged fork or trident, -which was the sign that he was ruler of the sea. As he -struck the ground with it lo! a noble horse sprang forth, -the first horse that the gods had seen.</p> - -<p>As Poseidon told the gods in how many ways the beautiful -animal could be of use to mortals, they thought that Athene -would not be able to produce anything that could help men -more.</p> - -<p>When she quietly bade the council to look at an olive-tree, -the gods laughed her to scorn. But they soon ceased -to laugh. For Athene told them how the wood, the fruit, -the leaves, all were of use, and not only so, but that the -olive-tree was the symbol of peace, while the horse was the -symbol of war. And war did ever more harm than good to -mortals.</p> - -<p>So the gods decided that it was Athene who had won -the right to name the city, and she gave to it her own name -of Athene, and the citizens ever after worshipped her as -their own peculiar goddess.</p> - -<p>Of this city, which we know as Athens, you will hear -much in this story.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE TWO WEAVERS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Athene</span> could not only wield the sword, she could also ply -the needle.</p> - -<p>In these olden days there lived in Greece a Lydian maid -who could weave with wondrous skill. So beautiful were -the tapestries she wrought that her fame spread far and wide. -Lords and ladies both came from distant towns to see the -maiden’s skilful hands at work.</p> - -<p>Arachne, for that was the maiden’s name, lived in a -cottage with her parents. They were poor folk, and had -often found it hard to earn their daily bread. But now that -their daughter was famous for her embroidery their troubles -were at an end. For not only lords and ladies, but merchants, -too, were glad to pay well to secure the young maid’s -exquisite designs.</p> - -<p>And so all would have been well with Arachne and her -parents had not the foolish girl become vain of her work. -Soon her companions began to weary of her, for of nothing -could she talk save of her own deft fingers, of her own -beautiful embroideries.</p> - -<p>Those who loved Arachne grew sad as they listened to -her proud words, and warned her that ‘pride ever goes -before a fall.’</p> - -<p>But Arachne only tossed her pretty head as she listened -to the wisdom of older folk. Nor did she cease to boast, -even saying that she could do more wonderful work than -the goddess Athene.</p> - -<p>Not once, but many times did Arachne say that she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> -wished she might test her skill against that of the goddess. -And should a prize be offered, proudly she declared that it -was she who would win it.</p> - -<p>From Olympus Athene heard the vain words of the -maid. So displeased was she with her boldness that she -determined to go to see Arachne, and if she did not repent -to punish her.</p> - -<p>She changed herself into an old white-haired dame, and -came to earth. Leaning upon a staff she knocked at the -door of the cottage where Arachne lived, and was bidden -to enter.</p> - -<p>Arachne was sitting in the midst of those who had come -to see and to praise her work. Soon she began to talk, as -she was quick to do, of her skill, and of how she believed -that her work surpassed in beauty any that Athene could -produce.</p> - -<p>The old woman pushed her way through the group that -surrounded the maid, and laying her hand upon the shoulder -of Arachne she spoke kindly to her.</p> - -<p>‘Be more modest, my child,’ she said, ‘lest the anger -of the gods descend upon you, lest Athene take you at your -word, and bid you to the contest you desire.’</p> - -<p>Impatiently Arachne shook off the stranger’s hand, and -answered, ‘Who are you who dare speak to me? I would -Athene might hear my words now, and come to test her skill -against mine. She would soon see that she had a rival in -Arachne.’</p> - -<p>Athene frowned at the insolence of the maiden. Then -the little company were startled to see the old woman -suddenly change into the glorious form of the goddess -Athene. As they gazed they were afraid and fell at her -feet.</p> - -<p>But Arachne did not worship the goddess. Foolish -Arachne looked boldly in her face, and asked if she had -come to accept her challenge.</p> - -<p>Athene’s only answer was to sit down before an empty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> -loom. Soon each, in silence, had begun to weave a wondrous -tapestry.</p> - -<p>Swift and more swift moved the fingers of the weavers, -while the group of strangers, gathered now near to the door, -watched the webs as they grew and grew apace.</p> - -<p>Into her tapestry Athene was weaving the story of her -contest with Poseidon for the city of Cecrops. The olive-tree, -the horse, the gods in the council, all seemed to live as -they appeared on the web of the goddess.</p> - -<p>The tapestry woven by Arachne was also beauteous as her -work was wont to be. In it you saw the sea, with waves -breaking over a great bull, to whose horns clung a girl -named Europa. And Europa’s curls blew free in the wind.</p> - -<p>At length Athene rose from the loom, her work complete. -Arachne, too, laid down her spindle, and as she turned to -look upon the tapestry of the goddess her courage suddenly -failed.</p> - -<p>A glance had been enough to show her that her skill was -as nothing before the wonder and the beauty of Athene’s -work.</p> - -<p>Too late the maiden repented that she had defied the -goddess. In her despair she seized a rope and tied it round -her neck to hang herself.</p> - -<p>But the goddess saw what Arachne meant to do, and at -once she changed her into a spider, bidding her from henceforth -never cease to spin.</p> - -<p>And so when you see a spider weaving its beautiful embroidery -on a dewy morning in the garden, or when you -find a delicate web in your lumber-room, you will remember -how Athene punished poor foolish Arachne in the days of -old.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE PURPLE FLOWERS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Apollo,</span> the youngest and most beautiful of all the gods, -dearly loved a lad named Hyacinthus.</p> - -<p>Ofttimes he would leave the other gods sipping nectar -in Mount Olympus, ofttimes he would forsake the many -beautiful temples in which he was worshipped on earth, -that he might be free to wander through the woods with his -little friend.</p> - -<p>For Hyacinthus was only a merry little lad, who loved -to roam over hill and dale, and when the fancy seized him -to hunt in the woods.</p> - -<p>Apollo was never happier than when he was with the -boy. Sometimes he would go hunting with him, and then -Hyacinthus was merrier than ever, for the world seemed -more full of brightness when the Sun-god was by his side. -Sometimes the friends would walk together over hill and -dale, followed by the dogs Hyacinthus loved so well.</p> - -<p>One day they had wandered far, and the little lad was -tired, so he flung himself down in a grassy meadow to rest, -Apollo by his side. But the Sun-god was soon eager for a -game. He sprang to his feet, crying, ‘Hyacinthus, let us -play at quoits before the shadows fall.’</p> - -<p>Quoits were flat, heavy discs, and the game was won by the -player who could fling the quoits the farthest through the air.</p> - -<p>Hyacinthus was ever willing to do as Apollo wished, -and the game was soon begun. After a throw of more than -usual skill and strength the friends laughed gleefully.</p> - -<p>O but it was good to be alive in such a happy world, -thought Hyacinthus. And Apollo, as he looked at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> -merry face of the little lad, rejoiced that he was not sitting -in the cold marble halls of Olympus, but was here on the -glad green earth.</p> - -<p>By and by while they still played, Zephyrus, the god of -the south wind, came fleeting by. He saw the Sun-god and -his little playmate full of laughter and of joy.</p> - -<p>Then an ugly passion, named jealousy, awoke in the -heart of the god, for he too loved the little hunter Hyacinthus, -and would fain have been in Apollo’s place.</p> - -<p>Zephyrus tarried a while to watch the friends. Once as -Apollo flung his disc high into the air, the Wind-god sent a -gust from the south which blew the quoit aside. He meant -only to annoy Apollo, but Hyacinthus was standing by, so -that the quoit struck him violently on the forehead.</p> - -<p>The lad fell to the ground, and soon he was faint from -loss of blood.</p> - -<p>In vain Apollo tried to staunch the wound; nothing he -could do was of any use. Little by little the boy’s strength -ebbed away, and the Sun-god knew that the lad would never -hunt or play again on earth. Hyacinthus was dead.</p> - -<p>The grief of the god was terrible. His tears fell fast as he -mourned for the playmate he had loved so well.</p> - -<p>At length he dried his tears and took his lyre, and as he -played he sang a last song to his friend. And all the woodland -creatures were silent that they might listen to the love-song -of the god.</p> - -<p>When the song was ended, Apollo laid aside his lyre, -and, stooping, touched with his hand the blood-drops of the -lad. And lo! they were changed into a cluster of beautiful -purple flowers, which have ever since been named hyacinths, -after the little lad Hyacinthus.</p> - -<p>Year by year as the spring sun shines, the wonderful -purple of the hyacinth is seen. Then you, who know the -story, think of the days of long ago, when the Sun-god lost -his little friend and a cluster of purple flowers bloomed -upon the spot where he lay.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DANAE AND HER LITTLE SON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> stories I have told you are about the gods of ancient -Greece; the story I am going to tell you now is about a -Greek hero.</p> - -<p>When you think of a hero, you think of a man who does -brave, unselfish deeds. But to the Hellenes or Greeks a -hero was one who was half god, half man—whose one parent -was a god while the other was a mortal. So the god Zeus -was the father of Perseus, the hero of whom I am going -to tell, while his mother was a beautiful princess named -Danae.</p> - -<p>From morning to night, from night till morning, Acrisius, -the father of Danae, was never happy. Yet he was a -king.</p> - -<p>A king and unhappy? Yes, this king was unhappy -because he was afraid that some day, as an oracle had foretold, -he would be slain by his grandson.</p> - -<p>The ancient Greeks often sent to sacred groves or temples -to ask their gods about the future, and the answer, which -was given by a priestess, was called an oracle.</p> - -<p>Now Acrisius, King of Argos, had no grandson, so it was -strange that the oracle should make him afraid. He hoped -that he never would have a grandson.</p> - -<p>His one child, beautiful, gentle Danae he had loved well -until he had heard the oracle. Now he determined to send -her away from the palace, to hide her, where no prince -would ever find her and try to win her for his bride.</p> - -<div id="if_i_018" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_018.jpg" width="1807" height="2503" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">The Wind-god sent a gust from the south</div></div> - -<p>So the king shut the princess into a tower, which was -encased in brass and surrounded it with guards, so that no -one, and least of all a prince, could by any chance catch -a glimpse of his beautiful daughter.</p> - -<p>Very sad was Danae, very lonely, too, when she was left -in the brazen tower, and Zeus looking down from Olympus -pitied her, and before long sent a little son to cheer her -loneliness.</p> - -<p>One day the guards saw the babe on his mother’s knee. -Here was the grandson about whom the king had hoped -that he would never be born.</p> - -<p>In great alarm they hastened to the palace to tell the -king the strange tidings. Acrisius was so frightened when -he heard their story that he flew into a passion, and vowed -that both Danae and Perseus, as her little son was named, -should perish. So he ordered the guards to carry the -mother and her babe to the seashore, and to send them -adrift on the waters in an empty boat.</p> - -<p>For two days and two nights the boat was tossed hither -and thither by the winds and the waves, while Danae, in -sore dismay but with a brave heart, clasped her golden-haired -boy tight in her arms.</p> - -<p>The child slept sound in the frail bark, while his mother -cried to the gods to bring her and her treasure into a safe -haven.</p> - -<p>On the third day the answer to her prayers came, for -before her Danae saw an island with a shore of yellow -sand. And on the shore stood a fisherman with his net, -looking out to sea. He soon caught sight of the boat, and -as it drew near he cast his net over it, and gently pulled -it to the shore.</p> - -<p>It seemed to Danae almost too good to be true, to stand -once again on dry land. She thought it was but a dream, -from which she would awake to find herself once more -tossing on the great wide sea.</p> - -<p>But there stood Dictys, the fisherman, looking at her in -wonder. Then Danae knew that she was indeed awake.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span> -She hastened to thank him for his help, and to ask him where -she could find shelter for herself and her child.</p> - -<p>Then the fisherman, who was the brother of Polydectes, -king of the island on which Danae had landed, said that if -she would go with him to his home he would treat her as a -daughter. And Danae went gladly to live with Dictys.</p> - -<p>So Perseus grew up in the island of Seriphus, playing on -the sands when he was small, and when he had grown tall -and strong going voyages to other islands with Dictys, or -fishing with him nearer home. Zeus loved the lad and -watched over him.</p> - -<p>Fifteen years passed, and then the wife of Polydectes -died, and the king wished to marry Danae, for he loved her -and knew that she was a princess.</p> - -<p>But Danae did not wish to wed Polydectes, and she refused -to become his queen, for indeed she loved no one save -her son Perseus.</p> - -<p>Then the king was angry, and vowed that if Danae -would not come to the palace as his queen, he would compel -her to come as his slave.</p> - -<p>And it was even so, as a slave, that Perseus found her, -when he returned from a voyage with Dictys.</p> - -<p>The anger of the lad was fierce. How dare any one -treat his beautiful mother so cruelly! He would have slain -the king had not Dictys restrained him.</p> - -<p>Subduing his anger as well as he could, Perseus went -boldly to the palace, and taking no heed of Polydectes, he -brought his mother away and left her in the temple of Athene. -There she would be safe, for no one, not even the king, -would enter the sanctuary of the goddess.</p> - -<p>‘Perseus must leave the island,’ said Polydectes when -he was told of the lad’s bold deed. He thought that if her -son were banished Danae would perchance be willing to -become his queen.</p> - -<div id="if_i_020" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_020.jpg" width="1813" height="2506" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">For two days and two nights the boat was tossed hither -and thither</div></div> - -<p>But Polydectes was too crafty to issue a royal command -bidding Perseus leave Seriphus. That, he knew, would -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span>make Danae hate him more than ever, so he thought of a -better way to get rid of the lad. He arranged to give a great -feast in the palace, and proclaimed that each guest should -bring a gift to present to the king.</p> - -<p>Among other youths, Perseus, too, was invited, but he -was poor and had no gift to bring. And this was what the -unkind king wished.</p> - -<p>So when Perseus entered the palace empty-handed, -Polydectes was quick to draw attention to the lad, laughing -at him and taunting him that he had not done as the other -guests and brought with him a gift. The courtiers followed -the example of their king, and Perseus found himself attacked -on every side.</p> - -<p>The lad soon lost his temper, and looking with defiance at -Polydectes, he cried, ‘I will bring you the head of Medusa -as a gift, O King, when next I enter the palace!’</p> - -<p>‘Brave words are these, Perseus,’ answered the king. -‘See that you turn them into deeds, or we shall think you -but boast as does a coward.’</p> - -<p>Then as Perseus turned and left the banqueting-hall -the king laughed well pleased, for he had goaded the lad -until he had fallen into the trap prepared for him. If -Perseus went in search of the head of Medusa, he was not -likely to be seen again in Seriphus, thought the king.</p> - -<p>And Perseus, as he walked away toward the sea, was -saying to himself, ‘Yes, I shall go in search of Medusa, nor -shall I return unless I bring her head with me, a gift for the -king.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE QUEST OF PERSEUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Medusa</span> and her two sisters were named the Gorgons. The -sisters had always been plain and even terrible to see, but -Medusa had once been fair to look upon.</p> - -<p>When she was young and beautiful her home was in a -northern land where the sun never shone, so she begged -Athene to send her to the south where sunshine made the -long days glad. But the goddess refused her request.</p> - -<p>In her anger Medusa cried, ‘It is because I am so -beautiful that you will not let me go. For if Medusa -were to be seen who then would wish to look at -Athene.’</p> - -<p>Such proud and foolish words might not be suffered by -the gods, and the maiden was sharply punished for her -rash speech. Her beautiful curly hair was changed into -serpents, living serpents that hissed and coiled around her -head. Nor was this all, but whoever so much as glanced at -her face was at once turned into stone.</p> - -<p>Terrible indeed was Medusa, the Gorgon, whose head -Perseus had vowed to bring as a gift to Polydectes. She -had great wings like eagles and sharp claws instead of -hands.</p> - -<p>Now as Perseus wandered down to the shore after he -had defied the king, his heart began to sink. How was he -even to begin his task? He did not know where Medusa -lived, nor did any one on the island.</p> - -<p>In his perplexity he did as his mother had taught him -to do; he prayed to Athene, and lo! even as he prayed the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> -goddess was there by his side. With her was Hermes, the -fleet-footed, wearing his winged sandals.</p> - -<p>‘The gods will aid you, Perseus,’ said Athene, ‘if you -will do as they bid you. But think not to find their service -easy. For they who serve the gods must endure hardship, -and live laborious lives. Will this content you?’</p> - -<p>Perseus had no fears now that he knew the gods would -help him, and with a brave and steadfast heart he answered, -‘I am content.’</p> - -<p>Then Pluto sent to the lad his magic helmet, which made -whoever wore it invisible. Hermes gave to him the winged -sandals he wore, so that he might be able to fly over land -and sea, while Athene entrusted to him her shield, the dread -Ægis, burnished bright as the sun. The shield was made -from the hide of a goat, but the Hellenes thought of it as -the great storm-cloud in which Zeus hid himself when he -was angry. For it was the shield of her father Zeus that -Athene used.</p> - -<p>Upon Medusa herself Perseus would not be able to cast -a glance lest he be turned to stone, but looking at the shield -he would see her image as in a mirror.</p> - -<p>The lad was now armed for his quest, but not yet did -he know whither it would lead.</p> - -<p>But Athene could direct him. She said that the abode -of the Gorgons was known to none save three sisters called -the Grææ. These sisters had been born with grey hair, -and had only one eye and one tooth between them, which -they used in turn. Their home was in the north, in a land -of perpetual darkness, and it was there that Perseus must -go to learn the dwelling-place of the Gorgons. So at length -the lad was ready to set out on his great adventure.</p> - -<p>On and on, sped by his winged sandals he flew, past -many a fair town, until he left Greece far behind. On and -on until he reached the dark and dreary land where the -Grææ dwelt. He could see them now, the three grey -sisters, as they sat in the gloom just outside their cave.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span></p> - -<p>As Perseus drew near, unseen by them, because of his -magic helmet, the sisters were passing their one eye from -hand to hand, so that at that moment all three were blind.</p> - -<p>Perseus saw his chance, and stretching out his hand -seized the eye. They, each thinking the other had it, -began to quarrel. But Perseus cried, ‘I hold the eye in -my hand. Tell me where I may find Medusa and you shall -have it back.’</p> - -<p>The sisters were startled by a voice when they had -neither seen nor heard any one approach; they were more -startled by what the voice said.</p> - -<p>Very unwilling were they to tell their secret, yet what -could they do if the stranger refused to give back their one -eye? Already he was growing impatient, and threatening to -throw it into the sea. So lest he should really fling it away -they were forced to tell him where he would find the Gorgon. -Then Perseus, placing the eye in one of the eager, outstretched -hands, sped swiftly on his journey.</p> - -<p>As he reached the land of which the Grææ had told him, -he heard the restless beating of the Gorgon’s wings, and he -knew that his quest was well-nigh over.</p> - -<p>Onward still he flew, and then raising his burnished -shield he looked into it, and lo! he saw the images of the -Gorgons. They lay, all three, fast asleep on the shore.</p> - -<p>Unsheathing his sword, Perseus held it high, and then, -keeping his gaze fixed upon the shield, he flew down and -swiftly cut off Medusa’s head and thrust it into a magic -bag which he carried slung over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>Now as Perseus seized the terrible head, the serpents -coiled around the Gorgon’s brow roused themselves, and -began to hiss so fiercely that the two sisters awoke and knew -that evil had befallen Medusa.</p> - -<p>They could not see Perseus, for he wore his magic helmet, -but they heard him, and in an instant they were following -fast, eager to avenge the death of their sister.</p> - -<p>For a moment the brave heart of the hero failed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span></p> - -<p>Was he doomed to perish now that his task was -accomplished?</p> - -<p>He cried aloud to Athene, for he heard the Gorgons -following ever closer on his path. Then more swiftly sped -the winged sandals, and soon Perseus breathed freely once -again, for he had left the dread sisters far behind.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ANDROMEDA AND THE SEA-MONSTER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">As</span> Perseus journeyed over land and sea on his great -quest, he often thought of the dear mother he had left in -Seriphus. Now that his task was done he longed to fly -over the blue waters of the Mediterranean to see her, to -know that she was safe from the cruel King Polydectes. -But the gods had work for Perseus to do before he might -return to his island home.</p> - -<p>Again and again the lad struggled against wind and rain, -trying ever to fly in the direction of Seriphus, but again and -again he was beaten back.</p> - -<p>Faint and weary he grew, tired too of striving, so that he -thought he would die in the desert through which he was -passing.</p> - -<p>Then all at once it flashed across his mind that Hermes -had told him that as long as he wore the winged sandals he -could not lose his way. New courage stole into his heart as -he remembered the words of the god, and soon he found -that he was being carried with the wind toward some high -mountains. Among them he caught sight of a Titan or -giant named Atlas, who had once tried to dethrone Zeus, -and who for his daring had been doomed to stand,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Supporting on his shoulders the vast pillar</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of Heaven and Earth, a weight of cumbrous grasp.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The face of Atlas was pale with the mighty burden he -bore, and which he longed to lay down. As he caught sight -of Perseus he thought that perhaps the stranger would be able -to help him, for he knew what Perseus carried in his magic<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> -bag. So as he drew near Atlas cried to him, ‘Hasten, -Perseus, and let me look upon the Gorgon’s face, that I may -no longer feel this great weight upon my shoulders.’</p> - -<p>Then in pity Perseus drew from the magic bag the head -of Medusa, and held it up before the eyes of Atlas. In a -moment the giant was changed into stone, or rather into a -great rugged mountain, which ever since that day has been -known as the Atlas Mountain.</p> - -<p>The winged sandals then bore Perseus on until he reached -a dark and desolate land. So desolate it was that it seemed -to him that the gods had forsaken it, or that it had been -blighted by the sins of mortals. In this island lived Queen -Cassiopeia with her daughter Andromeda.</p> - -<p>Cassiopeia was beautiful, but instead of thanking the -gods for their gift of beauty, she used to boast of it, saying -that she was fairer than the nymphs of the sea.</p> - -<p>So angry were the nymphs when they heard this, that -they sent a terrible monster to the island, which laid it -waste, and made it dark and desolate as Perseus had seen.</p> - -<p>The island folk sent to one of their temples to ask what -they could do to free their island from the presence of the -sea-serpent.</p> - -<p>‘This monster has been sent to punish Cassiopeia for her -vain boast,’ was the answer. ‘Bid her sacrifice her daughter -Andromeda to the sea-serpent, then will the nymphs remove -the curse from your homes.’</p> - -<p>Andromeda was fair and good, and the people loved her -well, so that they were greatly grieved at the oracle. Yet -if they did not give up their princess their homes would be -ruined, their children would perish before their eyes.</p> - -<p>So while the queen shut herself up in her palace to weep, -the people took the beautiful maiden down to the shore -and chained her fast to a great rock. Then slowly, sorrowfully, -they went away, leaving her a prey to the terrible -monster.</p> - -<p>As Perseus drew nearer to the sea he saw the maiden.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> -The next moment he was gazing in horror at the sea-serpent, -as with open, hungry jaws it approached its victim.</p> - -<p>Quick as lightning Perseus drew his sword and swooped -down toward the monster, at the same moment holding -before him the head of Medusa.</p> - -<p>As the eyes of the serpent fell upon that awful sight, it -slipped backward, and before Perseus could use his sword, -it was changed into a rock, a great black rock. And if you -go to the shore of the Levant you may see it still, surrounded -by the blue waters of the Mediterranean.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ACRISIUS IS KILLED BY PERSEUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">As</span> soon as Perseus saw that the monster was harmless, he -took off his magic helmet, and hastening to Andromeda he -broke the chain that held her to the rock. Then bidding her -fear no more he led her back to the palace, where the queen -sat weeping for her lost daughter.</p> - -<p>When the door of her room was opened Cassiopeia never -stirred. Andromeda’s arms were around her, Andromeda’s -kisses were on her cheek before she could believe that her -daughter was in very truth alive. Then, indeed, the -mother’s joy was boundless.</p> - -<p>So fair, so good was the maiden that Perseus loved her, -and thanked the gods who had led him to that desolate -land. Before many weeks had passed the princess was -wedded to the stranger who had saved her from the terrible -sea-monster.</p> - -<p>Twelve months later they left Cassiopeia, and sailed -away to Seriphus, for Perseus longed to see his mother, and -to bring to her his beautiful bride.</p> - -<p>Seven long years had passed since Perseus set out on -his quest, and Danae’s heart was glad when she saw her son -once more.</p> - -<p>As soon as their greetings were over, Perseus left Andromeda -with his mother, and went to the palace, carrying with -him the head of Medusa in the magic bag.</p> - -<p>The king was feasting with his nobles when Perseus -entered the banqueting-hall. Long, long ago he had ceased -to think of Perseus, for he believed that he had perished on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> -his wild adventure. Now he saw him, grown to be a man, -entering the hall, and he grew pale with sudden fear.</p> - -<p>Paying no heed to any, Perseus strode through the -throng of merry courtiers until he stood before the throne -on which sat Polydectes.</p> - -<p>‘Behold the gift I promised you seven years ago, O -King!’ cried Perseus, and as he spoke he drew forth the -head of Medusa and held it up for the king to see.</p> - -<p>Polydectes and his startled nobles stared in horror -at the awful face of the Gorgon, and as they gazed the -king and all his followers were changed into figures of -stone.</p> - -<p>Then Perseus turned and left the palace, and telling the -island folk that Polydectes was dead, he bade them now -place Dictys, the fisherman, upon the throne.</p> - -<p>He then hastened to the temple of Athene, and with a -glad heart gave back to the goddess the gifts which had -served him so well—the helmet, the sandals, the shield.</p> - -<p>As his own offering to Athene he gave the head of the -Gorgon. She, well pleased, accepted it, and had it placed -in the centre of her shield, so from that day the Ægis became -more terrible than before, for the Gorgon’s head still turned -to stone whoever looked upon it.</p> - -<p>Danae had often talked to Perseus when he was a boy -of Acrisius, her father, and of Argos, the city from which he -had been banished when he was a babe. Perseus now -resolved to sail to Argos with Danae and Andromeda. -During these years Acrisius had been driven from his throne -by an ambitious prince. He was in a miserable dungeon, -thinking, it may be, of his unkindness to his daughter Danae, -when she once again reached Argos.</p> - -<p>Perseus soon drove away the usurper, and for his mother’s -dear sake he took Acrisius out of his dungeon and gave him -back his kingdom. For Danae had wept and begged -Perseus to rescue his grandfather from prison.</p> - -<p>It seemed as though the oracle that long ago had made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> -Acrisius act so cruelly would now never be fulfilled. But -sooner or later the words of the gods come true.</p> - -<p>One day Perseus was present at the games that were -held each year at Argos. As he flung a quoit into the air -a sudden gust of wind hurled it aside, so that it fell upon -the foot of Acrisius, who was sitting near.</p> - -<p>The king was an old man now, and the blow was more -than he could bear. Before long he died from the wound, -and thus the oracle of the gods was fulfilled.</p> - -<p>Perseus was kind as he was brave, and it grieved him -that he had caused the death of his grandfather, although -it had been by no fault of his own.</p> - -<p>Argos no longer seemed a happy place to the young king, -so he left it, and going to a city called Mycenæ, he made it -his capital. Here, after a long and prosperous reign, Perseus -died. The gods whom he had served loyally, placed him -in the skies, among the stars. And there he still shines, -together with Andromeda and Cassiopeia.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ACHILLES AND BRISEIS THE FAIRCHEEKED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> story of Perseus belongs to the Heroic Age of Greek -history, to the time when heroes were half mortal, half -divine. Many other wonderful tales belong to the Heroic -Age, but among them all none are so famous as those that -are told in the <i>Iliad</i> and the <i>Odyssey</i>. The <i>Iliad</i> tells of -the war that raged around the walls of the city of Troy; the -<i>Odyssey</i> of the adventures of the goodly Odysseus.</p> - -<p>In the north-west corner of Asia, looking toward Greece, -the ruins of an ancient city have been discovered. It was -on this spot that Troy or Ilium was believed to have stood.</p> - -<p>Strange legends gathered round the warriors of the -Trojan War, so strange that some people say that there -never were such heroes as those of whom the <i>Iliad</i> tells. -However that may be, we know that in long after years, -when the Greeks fought with the people of Asia, they remembered -these old stories, and believed that they were -carrying on the wars which their fathers had begun.</p> - -<p>The <i>Iliad</i> and the <i>Odyssey</i> were written by a poet named -Homer, so many wise folk tell. While others, it may be -just as wise, say that these poems were not written by one -man, but were gathered from the legends of the people, now -by one poet, now by another, until they grew into the collection -of stories which we know as the <i>Iliad</i> and the <i>Odyssey</i>.</p> - -<p>At first these old stories were not written in a book; they -were sung or told in verse by the poets to the people of -Hellas. And because what is ‘simple and serious lives -longer than what is merely clever,’ these grave old stories of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> -two thousand years ago are still alive, and people are still -eager to read them.</p> - -<p>Some day you will read the <i>Iliad</i> and the <i>Odyssey</i>. In this -story I can only tell you about a few of the mighty warriors -who fought at Troy, about a few of their strange adventures.</p> - -<p>If you look at a map of Greece you will easily find, in the -south, the country called Peloponnesus. In Peloponnesus -you will see Sparta, the capital city, over which Menelaus -was king, when the story of the <i>Iliad</i> begins.</p> - -<p>Menelaus was married to a beautiful queen named Helen. -She was the fairest woman in the wide world.</p> - -<p>One day there came to the court of the king a prince -named Paris. He was the second son of Priam, King of Troy. -Menelaus welcomed his royal guest and treated him with -kindness, but Paris repaid the hospitality of the king most -cruelly. For when affairs of State called Menelaus away -from Sparta for a short time, Paris did not wait until he -returned. He hastened back to Troy, taking with him the -beautiful Queen of Sparta, who was ever after known as -Helen of Troy.</p> - -<p>When Menelaus came home to find that Helen had -gone away to Troy, he swore a great oath that he would -besiege the city, punish Paris, and bring back his beautiful -queen to Sparta; and this was the beginning of the Trojan -War.</p> - -<p>Menelaus had not a large enough army to go alone against -his enemy. So he sent to his brother Agamemnon, who -was the chief of all the mighty warriors of Hellas, and to -many other lords, to beg them to help him to besiege Troy, -and, if it might be, to slay Paris.</p> - -<p>The chiefs were eager to help Menelaus to avenge his -wrongs, and soon a great army was ready to sail across the -Hellespont to Asia, to march on Troy.</p> - -<p>But before the army embarked, the warriors sent, as -was their custom, to an oracle, to ask if their expedition -would be successful.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span></p> - -<p>‘Without the help of goodly Achilles, Troy will never be -taken,’ was the answer.</p> - -<p>Achilles was the son of Thetis, the silver-footed goddess, -whose home was in the depths of the sea. Well did she love -her strong son Achilles. When he was a babe she wished to -guard him from the dangers that would surely threaten him -when he grew to be a man, so she took him in her arms and -carried him to the banks of the river Styx. Whoever -bathed in these magic waters became invulnerable, that is, he -became proof against every weapon. Silver-footed Thetis, -holding her precious babe firmly by one heel, plunged him -into the tide, so that his little body became at once invulnerable, -save only the heel by which his mother grasped him. -It was untouched by the magic water.</p> - -<p>Achilles set sail with the other chiefs for Troy, so it -seemed as though the city would be taken by his help, as -the oracle foretold. With him Achilles took his well-loved -friend Patroclus.</p> - -<p>For nine long years was the city of Troy besieged, and all -for the sake of Helen the beautiful Queen of Sparta. Often -as the years passed, she would stand upon the walls of Troy -to look at the brave warriors of Hellas, to wonder when they -would take the city. But when nine years had passed, no -breach had yet been made in the walls.</p> - -<p>When the Hellenes needed food or clothing, they attacked -and plundered the neighbouring cities, which were not -so well defended as Troy.</p> - -<p>The plunder of one of these cities, named Chryse, was the -cause of the fatal quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles.</p> - -<p>In Chryse there was a temple sacred to Apollo, guarded -by a priest named Chryses. His daughter Chryseis, and -another beautiful maiden named Briseis the Faircheeked, -were taken prisoners when the town was sacked by the -Hellenes. Agamemnon claimed the daughter of the priest -as his share of the spoil, while Briseis he awarded to Achilles.</p> - -<div id="if_i_034" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_034.jpg" width="1806" height="2494" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Often she would stand upon the walls of Troy</div></div> - -<p>When Chryses the priest found that his daughter had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span> -been carried away by the Greeks, he hastened to the tent of -Agamemnon, taking with him a ransom great ‘beyond -telling.’ In his hands he bore a golden staff on which he -had placed the holy garland, that the Greeks, seeing it, might -treat him with reverence.</p> - -<p>‘Now may the gods that dwell in the mansions of -Olympus grant you to lay waste the city of Priam and to fare -happily homeward,’ said the priest to the assembled chiefs, -‘only set ye my dear child free and accept the ransom in -reverence to Apollo.’</p> - -<p>All save Agamemnon wished to accept the ransom and -set Chryseis free, but he was wroth with the priest and -roughly bade him begone.</p> - -<p>‘Let me not find thee, old man,’ he cried, ‘amid the ships, -whether tarrying now or returning again hereafter, lest the -sacred staff of the god avail thee naught. And thy daughter -will I not set free. But depart, provoke me not, that thou -mayest the rather go in peace.’</p> - -<p>Then Chryseis was angry with Agamemnon, while for -his daughter’s sake he wept.</p> - -<p>Down by the ‘shore of the loud-sounding sea’ he walked, -praying to Apollo, ‘Hear me, god of the silver bow. If ever -I built a temple gracious in thine eyes, or if ever I burnt to -thee fat flesh ... of bulls or goats, fulfil thou this my -desire; let the Greeks pay by thine arrows for my tears.’</p> - -<p>Apollo heard the cry of the priest, and swift was his -answer. For he hastened to the tents of the Greeks, bearing -upon his shoulders his silver bow, and he sped arrows of -death into the camp.</p> - -<p>Dogs, mules, men, all fell before the arrows of the angry -god. The bodies of the dead were burned on great piles of -wood, and the smoke rose black toward the sky.</p> - -<p>For nine days the clanging of the silver bow was heard. -Then Achilles called the hosts of the Greeks together, and -before them all he spoke thus to Agamemnon: ‘Let us go -home, Son of Atreus,’ he said, ‘rather than perish, as we surely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span> -shall do if we remain here. Else let us ask a priest why -Apollo treats us thus harshly.’</p> - -<p>But it was easy to tell why Apollo was angry, and -Calchas, a seer, answered Achilles in plain-spoken words. -‘The wrath of the god is upon us,’ he said, ‘for the sake of -the priest whom Agamemnon spurned, refusing to accept -the ransom of his daughter. Let Chryseis be sent back to -her father, and for sacrifice also a hundred beasts, that the -anger of the god may be pacified.’</p> - -<p>Deep was the wrath of Agamemnon as he listened to the -words of Calchas.</p> - -<p>‘Thou seer of evil,’ he cried, his eyes aflame with anger, -‘never yet hast thou told me the thing that is pleasant. -Yet that the hosts of our army perish not, I will send the -maiden back. But in her place will I take Briseis the Fair-cheeked, -whom Achilles has in his tent.’</p> - -<p>When Achilles heard these words he drew his sword to -slay Agamemnon. But before he could strike a blow he -felt the locks of his golden hair caught in a strong grasp, and -in a moment his rage was checked, for he knew the touch was -that of the goddess Athene. None saw her save Achilles, -none heard as she said to him, ‘I came from heaven to stay -thine anger.... Go to now, cease from strife, and let not -thine hand draw the sword.’</p> - -<p>Then Achilles sheathed his sword, saying, ‘Goddess, -needs must a man observe thy saying even though he be -very wroth at heart, for so is the better way.’</p> - -<p>Yet although Achilles struck no blow, bitter were the -words he spoke to the king, for a coward did he deem him -and full of greed. ‘If thou takest from me Briseis,’ he cried, -‘verily, by my staff, that shall not blossom again seeing it -has been cleft from a tree, never will I again draw sword for -thee. Surely I and my warriors will go home, for no quarrel -have we with the Trojans. And when Hector slaughters -thy hosts, in vain shalt thou call for Achilles.’</p> - -<p>Well did Agamemnon know that he ought to soothe the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span> -anger of Achilles and prevail on him to stay, for his presence -alone could make the Trojans fear. Yet in his pride the king -answered, ‘Thou mayest go and thy warriors with thee. -Chieftains have I who will serve me as well as thou, and who -will pay me more respect than ever thou hast done. As for -the maiden Briseis, her I will have, that the Greeks may know -that I am indeed the true sovereign of this host.’</p> - -<p>The Assembly then broke up, and Chryseis was sent home -under the charge of Odysseus, one of the bravest of the -Greek warriors.</p> - -<p>When the priest received his daughter again, he at once -entreated Apollo to stay his fatal darts, that the Greeks -might no longer perish in their camp. And Apollo heard -and laid aside his silver bow and his arrows of death.</p> - -<p>Then Agamemnon called heralds, and bade them go to -the tent of Achilles and bring to him Briseis of the fair -cheeks. ‘Should Achilles refuse to give her up,’ said the -angry king, ‘let him know that I myself will come to fetch -the maiden.’</p> - -<p>But when the heralds told Achilles the words of the king, -he bade Patroclus bring the damsel from her tent and give -her to the messengers of Agamemnon. And the maiden, -who would fain have stayed with Achilles, was taken to the -king.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">MENELAUS AND PARIS DO BATTLE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> the heralds of Agamemnon had led Briseis away, -Achilles stripped off his armour, for not again would he fight -in the Trojan War. Down to the seashore he went alone -to weep for the loss of Briseis the Faircheeked.</p> - -<p>As he wept he called aloud to his mother Thetis. From -the depths of the sea she heard his cry, and swift on a wave -she reached the shore. Soon she was by the side of her son, -and taking his hand, as when he was a boy, she asked, ‘My -child, why weepest thou?’</p> - -<p>Then Achilles told how Agamemnon had taken from him -Briseis, whom he loved.</p> - -<p>‘Go to the palace of Zeus,’ he entreated her, ‘and -beseech Zeus to give me honour before the hosts of the -Greeks. Let him grant victory to the Trojans until the king -sends to Achilles to beg for his help in the battle.’</p> - -<p>So Thetis, for the sake of her dear son, hastened to -Olympus, and bending at the knee of Zeus she besought the -god to avenge the wrong done to Achilles.</p> - -<p>At first Zeus, the Cloud-gatherer, was silent, as though he -heard her not. ‘Give me now thy promise,’ urged Thetis, -‘and confirm it with a nod or else deny me.’</p> - -<p>Then the god nodded, and thereat Olympus shook to its -foundations. So Thetis knew that she had found favour in -the eyes of Zeus, and leaving the palace of the gods she -plunged deep into the sea.</p> - -<p>Zeus hastened to fulfil his promise, and sent to -Agamemnon a ‘baneful dream.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span></p> - -<p>As the king dreamed, he thought he heard Zeus bid him -go forth to battle against the Trojans, for he would surely -take the city. But in this Zeus deceived the king.</p> - -<p>When Agamemnon awoke in the morning he was glad, -for now he hoped to win great honour among his warriors. -Quickly he armed himself for battle, throwing a great cloak -over his tunic, and slinging his sword, studded with silver, -over his shoulder. In his right hand he bore the sceptre of -his sires, the sign of his lordship over all the great hosts of -Hellas.</p> - -<p>Then when he was armed, the king assembled his great -army, and after telling his dream, he bade it march in silence -toward the city.</p> - -<p>But when the Trojans saw the Hellenes drawing near, -they came out to meet them ‘with clamour and with shouting -like unto birds, even as when there goeth up before -heaven a clamour of cranes which flee from the coming of -winter and sudden rain.’</p> - -<p>As the Trojans approached, Menelaus saw Paris who -had stolen his fair wife, and he leaped from his chariot that -he might slay the prince. But Paris, when he saw the wrath -of Menelaus, was afraid and hid himself among his comrades.</p> - -<p>Then Hector, his brother, who was the leader of the -Trojans, mocked at him for his cowardice, until Paris grew -ashamed.</p> - -<p>‘Now will I challenge Menelaus to single combat,’ he -cried. And Hector rejoiced at his words and bade the -warriors stay their arrows.</p> - -<p>‘Hearken, ye Trojans and ye Greeks,’ he cried, ‘Paris -bids you lay down your arms while he and his enemy -Menelaus alone do battle for Helen and for her wealth. -And he who shall be victor shall keep the woman and her -treasures, while we will make with one another oaths of -friendship and of peace.’ So there, without the walls of the -city, oaths were taken both by the Greeks and the Trojans. -But the heart of Priam, King of Troy, was heavy lest harm<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span> -should befall Paris, and he hastened within the gates of the -city that he might not watch the combat. ‘I can in no wise -bear to behold with mine eyes my dear son fighting with -Menelaus,’ he said. ‘But Zeus knoweth, and all the -immortal gods, for whether of the twain the doom of death -is appointed.’</p> - -<p>Then Menelaus and Paris drew their swords, and Menelaus -cried to Zeus to grant him his aid, so that hereafter men -‘may shudder to wrong his host that hath shown him -kindness.’</p> - -<p>But it seemed that Zeus heard not, for when Menelaus -flung his ponderous spear, although it passed close to Paris, -rending his tunic, yet did it not wound him, and when he -dealt a mighty blow with his sword upon the helmet of his -enemy, lo, his sword broke into pieces in his hand.</p> - -<p>Then in his wrath, Menelaus reproached the god: ‘Father -Zeus,’ he cried, ‘surely none of the gods is crueller than thou. -My sword breaketh in my hand, and my spear sped from my -grasp in vain, and I have not smitten my enemy.’</p> - -<p>Yet even if Zeus denied his help, Menelaus determined -to slay his foe. So he sprang forward and seized Paris by -the strap of his helmet. But the goddess Aphrodite flew to -the aid of the prince, and the strap broke in the hand of -Menelaus. Before the king could again reach his enemy, a -mist sent by the goddess concealed the combatants one from -the other. Then, unseen by all, Aphrodite caught up Paris, -‘very easily as a goddess may,’ and hid him in the city -within his own house.</p> - -<p>In vain did Menelaus search for his foe, yet well did he -know that no Trojan had given him shelter. For Paris was -‘hated of all even as black death,’ because it was through his -base deed that Troy had been besieged for nine long years.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> gods were angry with Aphrodite because she had hidden -Paris from the king, and they determined that, in spite of -their oath, the two armies should again begin to fight.</p> - -<p>So Athene was sent to the Trojan hosts, disguised as one -of themselves. In and out among the soldiers she paced, -until at length she spoke to one of them, bidding him draw -his bow and wound Menelaus.</p> - -<p>The soldier obeyed, and the arrow, guided by Athene, -reached the king, yet was the wound but slight.</p> - -<p>When the Greeks saw that the Trojans had disregarded -their oath, they were full of wrath, and seizing their arms -they followed their chiefs to battle. ‘You had thought them -dumb, so silent were they,’ as they followed. But as the -Trojans looked upon the enemy there arose among them a -confused murmur as when ‘sheep bleat without ceasing to -hear their lambs cry.’</p> - -<p>Fierce and yet more fierce raged the battle. Valiant -deeds were done on both sides, but when Hector saw that -the Greeks were being helped by the gods, he left the battlefield -and hastened to the city.</p> - -<p>At the gates, wives and mothers pressed around him, -eager to hear what had befallen their husbands, their sons. -But Hector tarried only to bid them go pray to the gods.</p> - -<p>On to the palace he hastened to find Hecuba, his mother. -She, seeing him come, ran to greet him and to beg of him to -wait until she brought honey-sweet wine, that he might pour -out an offering to Zeus, and himself drink and be refreshed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span></p> - -<p>But Hector said, ‘Bring me no honey-sweet wine, my -lady-mother, lest thou cripple me of my courage and I be -forgetful of my might. But go thou to the temple with all -thy women, to offer gifts to Athene and to beseech her aid.’</p> - -<p>Then leaving his mother, Hector went to the house of -Paris, and bitterly did he rebuke him, because he was not in -the forefront of the battle.</p> - -<p>‘Stay but till I arm and I will go with thee,’ answered -Paris. But Hector heeded him not, for he was in haste to -find his dear wife Andromache and their beautiful boy, -Skamandriss. By the people the child was called Astyanax, -the City King, for it was his father who guarded Troy.</p> - -<p>Andromache was not in their house, but on the wall of -the city, watching the battle, fearing lest harm should befall -her lord. With her was her little son, in the arms of his -nurse.</p> - -<p>Hector dared not linger to search for his wife, but as he -hastened back to the gates she saw him and ran to bid him -farewell ere he returned to battle.</p> - -<p>Close to his side she pressed, and her tears fell as she -cried:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Too brave! thy valour yet will cause thy death.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thou hast no pity on thy tender child,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor me, unhappy one, who soon must be</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thy widow. All the Greeks will rush on thee</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To take thy life. A happier lot were mine</div> - <div class="verse indent0">If I must lose thee to go down to earth,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For I shall have no hope when thou art gone—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nothing but sorrow. Father have I none,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And no dear mother....</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent30">Hector, thou</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Art father and dear mother now to me,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And brother and my youthful spouse besides,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In pity keep within the fortress here,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor make thy child an orphan nor thy wife</div> - <div class="verse indent0">A widow.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>But Hector, though he dearly loved his wife, could not -shrink from the battle. As Andromache ceased to plead<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span> -with him, he held out his arms to his little son, but the child -drew back in fear of the great plumes that waved on his -father’s shining helmet.</p> - -<p>Then Hector took off his helmet and laid it on the ground, -while he caught his child in his arms and kissed him, praying -Zeus and all the gods to defend him.</p> - -<p>Andromache gazed pitifully at her husband as, at length, -he gave the child to its nurse, and he seeing her great grief, -took her hand and said:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Sorrow not thus, beloved one, for me.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">No living man can send me to the shades</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Before my time; no man of woman born,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Coward or brave, can shun his destiny.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But go thou home and tend thy labours there,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The web, the distaff, and command thy maids</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To speed the work. The cares of war pertain</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To all men born in Troy, and most to me.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Then springing into his chariot, Hector drove swiftly -back to the field of battle.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE HORSES OF ACHILLES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Hector</span> and Paris reached the battlefield at the same -moment. The Trojans were encouraged to fight yet more -fiercely when they saw the two princes, and soon so many of -the Greeks were slain that Agamemnon grew afraid.</p> - -<p>‘Zeus hath sent me a deceiving dream,’ he said to his -counsellors. ‘If the gods send not their help we must perish, -unless indeed Achilles will forget his anger and come to our -aid. Verily, Zeus loveth Achilles, seeing that he putteth the -Greeks to flight that he may do him honour. But even as I -wronged him in my folly, so will I make amends and give -recompence beyond all telling.’</p> - -<p>Then, casting aside his pride, the king sent messengers -to the tent of Achilles, to say that he would send back -Briseis and give to him splendid gifts if he would but come -to the help of the Greeks, for they were flying before the -enemy.</p> - -<p>But the heart of Achilles was too bitter to be touched by -the fair promises of the king, for had he not taken from him -Briseis, the lady of his love? So he bade the messengers -go back to Agamemnon and say that he would not fight, but -he would launch his ships on the morrow and sail away to -his own land.</p> - -<p>When the king heard that Achilles spurned his gifts, and -refused to come to his aid, he was afraid. But his counsellors -said, ‘Let us not heed Achilles, whether he sail or whether -he linger by the loud-sounding sea. When the gods call to -him, or when his own heart bids, he will fight. Let us go<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span> -once more against the Trojans, and do thou show thyself, O -king, in the forefront of the battle.’</p> - -<p>Then Agamemnon rallied his men and led them against -the foe, yet again he was driven back. Chief after chief -was wounded, and at length the Hellenes fled to their ships to -defend them from the Trojans. But Patroclus determined -to plead with Achilles to save his countrymen from defeat. -When he entered the tent of his friend he was weeping -for pity of the dead and wounded.</p> - -<p>‘Wherefore weepest thou, Patroclus, like a fond little -maid that runs by her mother’s side?’ asked Achilles as he -looked up at the entrance of his friend and saw his tears.</p> - -<p>‘Never may such wrath take hold of me as that thou -nursest, thrice brave, to the hurting of others,’ answered his -comrade. ‘The Greeks are lying wounded and dead. If -thou wilt not come to their help, let me lead thy men so that -the enemy may be beaten back....’</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent32">‘And give</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The armour from thy shoulders. I will wear</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thy mail, and then the Trojans, at the sight,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">May think I am Achilles, and may pause</div> - <div class="verse indent0">From fighting.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Even as Patroclus pleaded with his friend, a great light -flared up against the sky. The Trojans had set fire to the -Greek ships.</p> - -<p>Then, at length, Achilles was roused. He would not go -himself to the help of Agamemnon, but he bade Patroclus -put on his armour, while he called together his brave warriors -and commanded them to follow his friend to battle.</p> - -<p>Quickly Patroclus donned the well-known armour of -Achilles, then calling to Automedon, the chariot driver, he -bade him harness Xanthus and Balius, the immortal horses -of his friend, for their speed was swift as the wind.</p> - -<p>As Patroclus vanished from sight in the chariot drawn -by Xanthus and Balius, Achilles prayed to Zeus. ‘O Zeus,’ -he cried, ‘I send my comrade to this battle. Strengthen his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span> -heart within him, and when he has driven from the ships the -war and din of battle, scathless then let him return to me and -my people with him.’</p> - -<p>Down upon the Trojans swept the warriors led by -Patroclus. They, seeing the armour of Achilles were afraid, -and fled from the ships. But ere long they discovered that -it was not Achilles but Patroclus who wore the well-known -armour, and they returned to fight with new courage. And -ever, where the battle raged most fiercely, did Patroclus -bid Automedon drive his chariot.</p> - -<p>Then the gods bade Hector find Patroclus and slay him. -Little trouble had the prince in finding the warrior who -wore the armour of Achilles. Bravely the two heroes fought, -but Patroclus was not able to stand against the great strength -of Hector. Moreover, the gods betrayed him, striking him -from behind on the head and shoulders, so that the helmet -of Achilles fell in the dust. Apollo also snatched his shield -from his arm and broke his spear in two.</p> - -<p>When Hector saw that his enemy was disarmed, he took -his spear and struck him so fiercely that Patroclus fell</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘With clashing mail, and all the Greeks beheld</div> - <div class="verse indent0">His fall with grief.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">The friend of Achilles was wounded to death.</p> - -<p>In his triumph Hector was merciless. He mocked at his -fallen foe, saying, ‘Patroclus, surely thou saidst that thou -wouldst sack my town, and from Trojan women take away the -day of freedom, and bring them in ships to thine own dear -country. Fool, ... I ward from them the day of destiny, -but thee shall vultures here destroy.’</p> - -<p>Faint though he was, Patroclus answered, ‘It was not -thou, Hector, who didst slay me, but Apollo, who snatched -from me my shield and brake my sword in twain.’ Then -his strength failed and he breathed his last.</p> - -<p>No pity yet showed Hector, for he stripped off the armour -of Achilles from the body of Patroclus that he might wear it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span> -himself. But Zeus, as he looked upon the haughty victor, -was displeased.</p> - -<p>‘Ah, hapless man,’ said the god to himself, ‘no thought -is in thy heart of death that yet draweth nigh unto thee; -thou doest on thee the divine armour of a peerless man before -whom the rest have terror. His comrade, gentle and brave, -thou hast slain, and unmeetly hast stripped the armour -from his head and shoulders.’</p> - -<p>The immortal horses of Achilles wept when they knew -that Patroclus was slain. Automedon lashed them, he spoke -kindly to them, yet would they not move. As a pillar on -a tomb, so they stood yoked to the chariot. From their -eyes big teardrops fell, their beautiful heads hung down -with grief so that their long manes were trailed in the dust. -Thus sorely did the immortal steeds grieve for the death of -Patroclus.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE DEATH OF HECTOR</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Fierce</span> and long raged the battle around the body -of Patroclus. And while the armies fought, a messenger -hastened to the tent of Achilles to tell him that his comrade -was slain and that the Trojans fought for his body as it lay -naked on the ground, stripped of its armour. ‘Thy armour,’ -said the messenger, ‘Hector has taken for himself.’</p> - -<p>When Achilles heard the bitter tidings he took dust and -poured it with both hands upon his head. ‘As he thought -thereon, he shed big tears, now lying on his side, now on his -back, now on his face, and then anon he would rise upon his -feet, and roam wildly beside the beach of the salt sea.’ -As he cried aloud in his grief his mother, Thetis, heard in her -home beneath the sea. Swiftly she sped to her son that she -might learn why he wept.</p> - -<p>Achilles told her all that had befallen Patroclus, and how -he himself cared no longer to live, save only that he might slay -Hector who had killed his friend.</p> - -<p>Thetis bade her son wait but till the morrow before he -went to battle, and she would bring him armour made by -the great Fire-god.</p> - -<p>Then she left him and prayed the god Hephaestus, -keeper of the forge, to give her armour for her dear son.</p> - -<p>Hephaestus was pleased to work for so goodly a warrior -as Achilles. Quickly he set his twenty bellows to work, and -when the fire blazed in the forge, he threw into it bronze and -silver and gold. Then taking a great hammer in his hand he -fashioned a marvellous shield, more marvellous than words<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">49</span> -can tell. Before morning a complete suit of armour was -ready for Achilles.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Hector had all but captured the body of -Patroclus. But the gods spoke to Achilles, bidding him -now succour the body of his friend. Without armour -Achilles could not enter the fray, yet he hastened to the -trenches that the Trojans might see him.</p> - -<p>Around his head gleamed a golden light, placed there by -Athene. When the Trojans saw the flame and heard the -mighty cry of Achilles, they drew back afraid.</p> - -<p>Three times the warrior shouted, and three times the -Trojans drew back in fear. While they hesitated the Greeks -rushed forward and carried away the body of Patroclus, -nor did they lay it down until they laid it in the tent of -Achilles.</p> - -<p>On the morrow Thetis came back to her son, bringing -with her the armour made by Hephaestus. She found him -weeping over the body of his friend.</p> - -<p>‘My child,’ she said, ‘him who lieth here we must let -be, for all our pain. Arm thyself now and go thy way into -the fray.’</p> - -<p>Then Achilles put on the armour of the god in haste, for -he feared lest another than he should slay Hector.</p> - -<p>With Achilles once again at their head, the Greek warriors -attacked the Trojans with redoubled fury. But it was -Hector alone whom Achilles longed to meet, and soon he -saw his enemy near one of the gates of Troy. Now he -would avenge the death of Patroclus. But when Hector -saw the great hate in the eyes of his enemy, lo, he turned -and fled.</p> - -<p>‘As a hawk, fastest of all the birds of air, pursues a dove -upon the mountains,’ so did Achilles pursue the prince -until he was forced to stand to take breath. Then Hector, -encouraged by the gods, drew near to him and spoke, ‘Thrice, -great Achilles, hast thou pursued me round the walls of Troy, -and I dared not stand up against thee; but now I fear thee<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">50</span> -no more. Only do thou promise, if Zeus give thee the victory, -to do no dishonour to my body, as I also will promise to do -none to thine should I slay thee.’</p> - -<p>But Achilles, remembering Patroclus, cried out in anger -that never would he make a covenant with him who had -slain his friend.</p> - -<p>Then with fierce blows each fell upon the other, until at -length Achilles drove his spear through the armour that -Hector wore, and the Trojan prince fell, stricken to the -ground.</p> - -<p>Achilles, his anger still burning fiercely, stripped the -dead man of his armour, while many Greek warriors standing -near thrust at him with their spears, saying to one -another, ‘Go to, for easier to handle is Hector now, than -when he burnt the ships with blazing fire.’</p> - -<p>Then Achilles tied the dead man to his chariot with -thongs of ox-hide and drove nine times round the city walls, -dragging the fair head of Hector in the dust.</p> - -<p>From the tower Priam and Hecuba saw the body -of their son dragged in the dust, and bitter was their -pain.</p> - -<p>But Andromache knew not yet what had befallen her -lord, for she sat in an inner chamber wearing a purple cloth. -Soon she bade her maids prepare a bath for Hector, for she -thought that he would return ere long from the battle. -She knew not yet that Hector would never return, but as -the noise of the wailing of the people reached the room in -which she sat, her heart misgave her. In haste she ran to -the wall of the city, only to see the chariot of Achilles as it -dragged Hector down to the loud-sounding sea.</p> - -<p>Then fainting with grief, Andromache fell to the ground, -and the diadem which Aphrodite had given to her on her -wedding morn dropped from her head, to be worn by her -no more.</p> - -<p>Down by the seashore Achilles burned the body of -Patroclus with great honour, and when the funeral rites were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">51</span> -ended, he dragged the dead body of Hector round the tomb, -weeping for the loss of his dear comrade.</p> - -<p>But Zeus was angry with Achilles for treating the Trojan -prince so cruelly, and he sent Thetis to bid her son give back -Hector’s body to Priam, who would come to offer for it a -ransom. ‘If Zeus decrees it, whoever brings a ransom shall -return with the dead,’ answered Achilles.</p> - -<p>Then Zeus sent a messenger to the house of Priam, where -the mother and the wife of Hector wept, saying, ‘Be of good -cheer in thy heart, O Priam.... I am the messenger of -Zeus to thee, who though he be afar off, hath great care and -pity for thee. The Olympian biddeth thee ransom noble -Hector’s body, and carry gifts to Achilles that may gladden -his heart.’</p> - -<p>So Priam set out alone, save for the driver of the wagon -which was to bring Hector again to Troy, for so had the -messenger commanded. But Hecuba feared to let the old -man go alone to the tent of the enemy. When he reached -the camp of the Greeks, Priam hastened to the tent of -Achilles, and entering it before his enemy was aware, the -old king fell at the feet of his enemy and begged for the -body of his dear son.</p> - -<p>Achilles could not look upon the grief of the old man -unmoved, but when Priam offered him gifts he frowned and -haughtily he answered, ‘Of myself am I minded to give -Hector back to thee, for so has Zeus commanded.’</p> - -<p>Then a truce for nine days was made between the Greeks -and the Trojans, so that King Priam and his people might -mourn for Hector and bury him undisturbed by fear of the -enemy.</p> - -<p>Priam tarried with Achilles until night fell. Then while -he and his warriors slept, the king arose and bade the driver -yoke the horses and mules. When this was done they laid -the body of Hector upon the wagon, and in the silence of the -night set out on their homeward journey.</p> - -<p>At the gates of Troy stood Andromache and Hecuba<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">52</span> -watching until Priam returned. And when the wagon -reached the city the Trojans carried Hector into his own -house. Then Andromache took the head of her dear -husband in her arms and said, ‘Husband, thou art gone -young from life and leavest me a widow in thy halls. And -the child is yet but a little one ... nor methinks shall he -grow up to manhood, for ere then shall this city be utterly -destroyed. For thou art verily perished who didst watch -over it and guard it, and keptest safe its noble wives and -infant little ones.’</p> - -<p>The following morning Priam bade his people go gather -wood for the burial, and after nine days the body of Hector -was laid on the pile and burned. Then his white bones, -wrapped in purple cloth, were placed in a golden chest. -Above the chest a great mound was raised, and thus Hector, -the brave prince of Troy, was buried.</p> - -<p>Soon after the burial of Hector Achilles was killed by a -poisoned arrow which Paris aimed at his heel, the one spot -of his body that Thetis had failed to bathe in the magic -waters of the river Styx. Paris himself perished soon after -the death of Achilles.</p> - -<p>Troy still remained untaken. Then goodly Odysseus -told the Greeks that although they could not take the city -by storm, they might take her by a stratagem or trick.</p> - -<p>So the Greeks, as he bade them, built a huge wooden -horse, which was hollow within. Here they hid a number -of their bravest warriors, and then the main body of the army -marched away, as though they were tired of trying to take -the city. The wooden horse they left as an offering to -Poseidon. Only a slave named Sinon was left behind to -persuade the Trojans to drag the horse into the city. But -the Trojans needed little persuasion. They came out of -the city, gazed at the strange horse, half feared a trick, and -then, like children amused with a new toy, they pulled it -within the walls of Troy.</p> - -<p>So glad were the Trojans that the enemy had gone away,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">53</span> -that they made a great feast. While they ate and drank, -careless of danger, Sinon helped the Greek warriors out -of the hollow wooden horse. They waited until it was -late and all was quiet, then they slipped down to the -gates and flung them open, while their comrades, who -had not marched far away, rushed in to plunder and burn -the city. Thus after many long years Troy was taken by -the counsel of Odysseus.</p> - -<p>One of the first to sail away from the city was Menelaus, -with his beautiful queen safe at his side. After many -adventures he reached Sparta and lived with Helen ‘in -peace, comfort, and wealth, and his palace shone in its -splendour like the sun or the moon.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">54</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">POLYPHEMUS THE GIANT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Greek warriors burned and sacked the city of Troy, and -then they set sail for the sunny isles of Greece. But storms -overtook some, the gods sent misfortune to others, so that -but few reached their own land in safety.</p> - -<p>Odysseus, King of Ithaca, an island on the western coast -of Greece, suffered greater hardships than any other. For -ten years he was either tossed by the gods on stormy seas, -or kept a captive in strange countries. Of some of his -adventures I shall tell you now.</p> - -<p>When Odysseus and his comrades sailed away from -Troy, they were driven by a fair wind to the shore of -Ismarus. Here dwelt a rich and prosperous people called -the Cicones.</p> - -<p>The Greeks wished to take much spoil back with them to -their homes, so they resolved to slay the Cicones and plunder -their city.</p> - -<p>Some of the citizens escaped the sword of the adventurers -and hastened to their kinsmen who dwelt farther from the -shore. When they had told their terrible tidings, their -comrades armed themselves and sped to the shore to punish -the strangers.</p> - -<p>Odysseus had tried in vain to make his followers go back -to their ships. They had refused to be hurried, and were -now sitting on the seashore eating and drinking, heedless -of danger.</p> - -<p>Before they were aware the kinsmen of the Cicones had -fallen upon them, and when the sun went down they had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">55</span> -slain six men out of each of the strangers’ ships. The rest -barely escaped with their lives.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the Greeks reached their vessels and sailed -away from Ismarus, when Zeus sent a north wind against -them. For nine days their ships were driven hither and -thither. Their sails were torn to shreds, when on the tenth -day the sailors caught sight of land. It was the land of the -lotus-eaters, where the people fed only on the fruit of the -lotus, a fruit that brought sleep and forgetfulness to the -eater.</p> - -<p>Odysseus sent three sailors on shore to find out what -manner of people the lotus-eaters were. No sooner had they -landed than the inhabitants brought them fruit, which -they ate with delight. But the honey-sweet flowers made -them forget Odysseus, their comrades, and their ships. They -had no wish save to stay for ever with the lotus-eaters to -share their magic food.</p> - -<p>At length, Odysseus grew tired of waiting for the three -sailors to return, and he himself with a few armed men went -on shore to look for them. He thought that perhaps they -had been taken prisoners and had been bound with chains, -but he found them lying on the yellow sand, dreamy and -content.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘And sweet it was to dream of Fatherland,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of child, and wife, and slave; but evermore</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Most weary seem’d the sea, weary the oar,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Weary the wandering fields of barren foam.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>When the three sailors saw Odysseus they cried:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent16">‘“We will return no more”</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And all at once they sang, “Our island home</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Is far beyond the wave; we will no longer roam.”’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Odysseus and his comrades were offered fruit by the -kindly lotus-eaters, but Odysseus waved it aside and bade -his men drag away the three sailors who had already eaten. -The sailors wept sore, for fain would they have dwelt for ever<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">56</span> -in the land of dreams. But when they were once more on -their vessels and had put out to sea, the breezes brought -back health to their bodies, vigour to their minds. Soon -they were able to rejoice that they had left the enchanted -lotus-land far behind.</p> - -<p>Westward sailed the fleet of Odysseus, until it reached -the island of Sicily, where the Cyclopes dwelt. The Cyclopes -were giants who had each but one eye, fixed in the middle of -his brow.</p> - -<p>Odysseus, taking with him only his own crew, landed on -the island, for he wished to see the Cyclopes. He had -walked but a little way when he came to a great cave, in -which stood baskets filled with cheeses and milkpans filled -with milk. In this cave dwelt Polyphemus, one of the sons -of Poseidon, and the fiercest of all the fierce Cyclopes.</p> - -<p>Into this cave went Odysseus and his comrades. -Polyphemus was not within; he was out on the hills with his -flocks.</p> - -<p>‘Let us take the cheeses and drive away the lambs and -the kids that are here, before the giant returns,’ said the -sailors. But Odysseus would not do as they wished, for, said -he, ‘I greatly wish to see the giant shepherd who dwells in -the cave.’</p> - -<p>‘Verily,’ said Odysseus, as he told the tale in after days, -‘verily, his coming was not to be a joy to my company.’</p> - -<p>Evening drew on apace, and Polyphemus, driving his -flocks before him, reached the cave. When he had driven -his flocks in before him, the giant took a huge rock and placed -it in the doorway.</p> - -<p>Odysseus and his comrades had hidden themselves in the -dimmest corners of the cave when Polyphemus entered. -The giant lighted a great fire of pine wood and began to milk -the ewes. Soon the flames lighted up every corner of the -cave, and Polyphemus saw his unexpected guests.</p> - -<p>In a voice that struck terror even into the brave hearts -of the Greeks, so gruff, so loud it was, the giant demanded,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">57</span> -‘Strangers, who are ye? Whence sail ye over the watery -ways? On some trading enterprise or at adventure do ye -rove, even as sea-robbers over the brine?’</p> - -<p>Boldly then answered Odysseus, ‘“<em>No Man</em>” is my -name. My ship, Poseidon, the shaker of the earth, broke -it to pieces, for he cast it upon the rocks at the border of -your country, and brought it nigh the headland, and a wind -bore it thither from the sea. But I, with these my men, -escaped from utter doom. Give us, we beseech thee, food -and shelter.’</p> - -<p>As you know, Odysseus had not been shipwrecked, his -vessel, safely anchored, awaited his return, nor was his true -name <em>No Man</em>. He dared not tell the giant the truth, lest -he should go in search of his ship and take it for firewood, -while he and his companions were kept prisoners in the cave.</p> - -<p>The giant said not a word when Odysseus ended his tale, -but he stretched out his great hand, seized two of the -strangers, and devoured them before the eyes of their -horrified companions. Then, well satisfied with his meal, he -fell fast asleep.</p> - -<p>In the morning the giant finished his breakfast by eating -two more of his guests, then, moving away the stone at the -entrance of the cave as easily as if it had been a feather, he -drove his flocks to pasture. He did not forget to replace the -stone in the doorway before he turned away.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">58</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ODYSSEUS ESCAPES FROM THE CAVE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Odysseus</span> was determined that he and his comrades should -escape from the cave of the dread Cyclops. Hour after hour -he pondered how he might persuade the giant to let them go, -but at length he thought, ‘I will not persuade him, I will force -him to let us go.’</p> - -<p>At that moment, his eye fell upon a great staff or club in -a corner of the cave. He bade his companions make a sharp -point to it. When this was done he hardened it in the fire -and then hid it from sight.</p> - -<p>The day passed slowly, but at length evening came and -Polyphemus returned to the cave. His guests shrank into -the farthest corner as the giant began his supper, but ere he -finished, he again stretched out his hand, seized two of his -prisoners, and devoured them. Then Odysseus offered him -a draught of wine which he had brought with him from -Ismarus.</p> - -<p>Deep drank the giant, and ere he fell into a sound sleep he -turned to Odysseus saying, ‘<em>No Man</em>, thee will I eat last in -return for thy gift of wine.’</p> - -<p>Odysseus waited until he saw that Polyphemus was fast -asleep, then he bade his comrades put the point of the great -staff in the fire. When it was red hot he told them to -thrust it deep into the eye of the giant. So great was the -pain that the Cyclops leaped up from his sleep and hurled -away the staff, uttering loud cries of agony.</p> - -<p>The giants who dwelt on the mountains round about -heard the voice of Polyphemus, and together they hastened -to the doorway of the cave.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">59</span></p> - -<p>‘What hath so distressed thee, Polyphemus,’ they cried, -‘that thou criest thus aloud through the immortal night and -makest us sleepless? Surely no mortal driveth off thy flocks -against thy will; surely none slayeth thyself by force or -craft?’</p> - -<p>‘<em>No Man</em> is slaying me by guile, nor at all by force,’ -answered Polyphemus, proud even in his pain.</p> - -<p>‘If no man is harming thee, it may be that Zeus has sent -sickness upon thee,’ answered the giants. ‘Pray thou then -to thy father Poseidon for aid. As for us, we will go back to -our slumbers.’</p> - -<p>Odysseus laughed to himself as he heard their retreating -feet, for now he was sure that he would be able to save -himself and his comrades.</p> - -<p>When morning dawned, Polyphemus, still groaning with -pain, groped his way to the door. Having found it he pushed -the stone a little way to the side to allow his flocks to pass out -of the cave. To make sure that his prisoners did not escape -with the animals, he sat down by the entrance and touched -the back of each ram as it passed. But Odysseus had tied -his followers with osier twigs beneath the rams, and so, in -spite of the care of the giant, all his prisoners escaped. -Odysseus himself was the last to leave the cave, holding fast -to the fleece of the largest ram.</p> - -<p>No sooner had Odysseus rejoined his companions than -he loosened the twigs with which he had bound them. Then -together they ran to the shore, driving before them many of -the giant’s best sheep. These they took on board their -ship, and then rowed out some way from land.</p> - -<p>Polyphemus soon found that he had been outwitted, and -he began to stumble down toward the sea.</p> - -<p>When Odysseus saw him, he bade his men rest on their -oars, while he spoke to the giant in a loud voice.</p> - -<p>‘Cyclops,’ he cried, ‘so thou wert not to eat the company -of a weakling by main might in thy hollow cave. Thine -evil deeds were very sure to find thee out, thou cruel man,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">60</span> -who hadst no shame to eat thy guests within thy gates, -wherefore Zeus hath requited thee and the other gods.’</p> - -<p>In his rage Polyphemus took a great rock off the top of a -mountain and hurled it in the direction from which the voice -came. The rock fell near to the bow of the ship, so that the -waters rose and pushed the vessel toward the shore.</p> - -<p>But Odysseus seized a pole and swiftly thrust the ship -back from the land. Then he bade the sailors pull for the -open sea with might and main.</p> - -<p>When the ship was once more some distance from the -shore, Odysseus taunted the giant yet again with his evil -deeds.</p> - -<p>‘Cyclops,’ he cried, ‘if any one of mortal men shall ask -thee of the unsightly blinding of thine eye, say that it was -Odysseus who blinded it, the Waster of Cities, son of Laertes, -whose dwelling is in Ithaca.’</p> - -<p>Then the giant, in impotent anger, stretched out his -hands to the heavens and cried, ‘Hear me, Poseidon, girdler -of the earth, god of the dark hair, if indeed I be thy son.... -Grant that he may never come to his home, even Odysseus, -waster of cities, son of Laertes, whose dwelling is in Ithaca; -yet if he is ordained to see his friends and come into his well-builded -house and his own country, late may he come, and -in evil case, with the loss of all his company, in the ship of -strangers, and find sorrows in his house.’</p> - -<p>And so it came to pass, even as the Cyclops prayed, for -only after many wanderings did Odysseus reach his home, -to find it in the hands of those who prayed that the king -might never return to Ithaca.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">61</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ODYSSEUS RETURNS TO ITHACA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> small island of Ithaca, of which Odysseus was king, lay -on the western shore of Greece. His subjects deemed that -their king was dead, for ten years had passed since Troy had -been destroyed, and yet he had not come home.</p> - -<p>But Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, would not believe -that her lord was dead; she clung to the hope that he would -yet return. Princes came to the palace to beg the queen to -wed, but in vain did each one urge his suit, for hope -whispered in the heart of Penelope, ‘My lord is still alive.’</p> - -<p>Laertes, the father of Odysseus, was too old, her little son -Telemachus was too young, to help the queen, when the -princes rudely insisted on living in the palace and in wasting -the goods of Odysseus. Again and again they entreated her -to wed one among them. But the queen grew angry and -rebuked them for their insolence in living in the palace. -From day to day, from week to week, from month to month, -even from year to year, Penelope mocked at the impatience -of her suitors.</p> - -<p>For she set up in the hall of the palace a large loom and -began to weave a beautiful robe. ‘Ye princely youths, my -wooers,’ she said, ‘now that Odysseus is dead, as ye declare, -do ye abide patiently, how eager soever on this marriage of -mine, till I finish the robe.’</p> - -<p>The princes agreed to wait until the robe was finished, -but little did they dream how long the queen would take -to her task.</p> - -<p>Day after day, day after day, they watched as Penelope<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">62</span> -sat at her web weaving, ever weaving. But night after night, -night after night, when the insolent princes had gone to bed, -the queen carefully unravelled the work they had seen her do -by day.</p> - -<p>For three long years did Penelope mock her suitors in this -way, but when the fourth year came, and the robe was still -incomplete, one of the queen’s serving-maids betrayed her -secret to the princes.</p> - -<p>Then the queen could no longer refuse to wed, yet still -she tried to put off the day as long as might be. So she -promised to marry him who could most easily bend the great -bow of Odysseus, and hit the mark on which she should -decide. There was now but a little while until the day -would dawn on which the trial of strength and skill was to -take place.</p> - -<p>Telemachus meanwhile had grown into a tall lad, and, -guided by Athene, he left the palace where the princes -wasted his wealth to go in search of his father. It might be -that Odysseus was a captive in some distant land.</p> - -<p>But Odysseus was on his way to Ithaca, sailing in the -ship of a king who had befriended him.</p> - -<p>As the vessel glided into the harbour of the little island, -Odysseus lay asleep on the deck. So the sailors lifted him -in a rug on which he lay and put him down in his own -kingdom by the side of the road.</p> - -<p>When he awoke Odysseus did not at first know where he -was, for Athene had covered the land with a thick mist.</p> - -<p>‘O woe is me now, unto what mortals’ land am I now -come?’ cried the king, well-nigh in tears with desire for his -own country.</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke, Athene stood by his side disguised as a -young man.</p> - -<p>‘What land is this?’ asked Odysseus, not yet knowing -that it was the goddess to whom he spoke, but thinking that -it was one of the country folk.</p> - -<p>‘Thou art witless, stranger, or thou art come from afar,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">63</span> -if indeed thou askest of this land,’ said Athene. ‘Verily -it is rough and not fit for the driving of horses, yet is it not a -very sorry isle, though narrow withal. For herein is corn -past telling, and herein, too, wine is found, and the rain is on -it evermore and the fresh dew. And it is good for feeding -goats and feeding kine; all manner of wood is here, and -watering-places unfailing are herein. Wherefore, stranger, -the name of Ithaca hath reached even unto Troyland.’</p> - -<p>Then Odysseus knew that it was the grey-eyed goddess -Athene who spoke to him, and he answered, ‘Methinks that -thou speakest thus to mock me and beguile my mind. Tell -me whether, in very deed, I am come to mine own dear -country?’</p> - -<p>The goddess did not answer, but silently she scattered the -mist that the king might see that he was indeed in his own -kingdom.</p> - -<p>Then Odysseus was glad and stooped to kiss the earth, -knowing that at last his weary wanderings were at an end.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">64</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ARGUS THE HOUND DIES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Athene</span> knew that if Odysseus went to the palace, the princes -would pretend that he was not the king, and would perhaps -even slay him. So she bade him go, not to the palace, but -to the hut of his swineherd Eumaeus, who had remained -loyal to him and to his house.</p> - -<p>That no one, not even the swineherd, might recognise -the king, Athene changed him into an old beggar man, with -dirty, tattered garments.</p> - -<p>In this miserable guise Odysseus reached the hut of -Eumaeus. Now Eumaeus believed that strangers were sent -by Zeus, so he welcomed the beggar and gave him food.</p> - -<p>As he ate, the swineherd sat beside him, bewailing the -absence of his king, who had never returned from the Trojan -War.</p> - -<p>‘His name,’ said Eumaeus, ‘even though he is not here, -it shameth me to speak, for he loved me exceedingly, and -cared for me at heart; nay, I call him “worshipful,” albeit -he is far from hence.’</p> - -<p>Much, too, did the swineherd tell of Penelope, of -Telemachus, and of how the insolent suitors lived at the -palace and wasted the king’s goods. As Odysseus listened, -he longed to go at once to the palace to avenge his wrongs.</p> - -<p>That night the king spent in the hut of his swineherd, -lying before the fire, while over him the swineherd flung a -covering of goatskins. But Eumaeus did not sleep. He -cast over his shoulders a rough mantle, and taking with him -a sharp sword he went out to guard his herd of swine. And<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">65</span> -the king was glad when he saw how well the swineherd cared -for the flocks of his absent lord.</p> - -<p>In the morning, as Eumaeus kindled a fire and prepared -breakfast for the stranger, footsteps were heard without. -Telemachus had returned to Ithaca, having sought for his -father in vain.</p> - -<p>Eumaeus hastened to welcome his master’s son and -‘kissed him all over as one escaped from death.’ Then he -set before the prince the best that his hut could provide.</p> - -<p>When Telemachus had eaten and had drunk sweet wine -out of a wooden goblet, he bade Eumaeus hasten to the palace -to tell his mother that he had come safely home. So the -swineherd took his sandals, bound them on his feet and set -out for the city. Odysseus and Telemachus were left alone.</p> - -<p>Then Athene came to the hut unseen, and changed -Odysseus into his own goodly form, bidding him tell -Telemachus who he was.</p> - -<p>At first the prince could not believe that this stranger, -so strong, so fair, was Odysseus. But when at length he -knew that it was indeed his father he embraced him, while -tears of joy fell down his cheeks.</p> - -<p>Then Athene bade them determine how the king should -make himself known to Penelope, and how the greedy and -insolent suitors should be punished.</p> - -<p>The father and son talked long together and they agreed -that on the morrow Telemachus should go to the palace, -but to none, no, not even to Penelope, was he to tell that -Odysseus had returned.</p> - -<p>The arms that hung in the hall of the palace the prince -was to hide in his own room, so that when the time for the -king’s revenge should come the suitors might find neither -sword nor shield with which to defend themselves. Odysseus -was to follow his son to the palace when a few hours had -passed, disguised once more as a beggar.</p> - -<p>So, on the morrow, Telemachus set out for the palace. -As he entered the hall the first to see him was his father’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">66</span> -old nurse Eurycleia. She was busy spreading the skins -upon the oaken chairs, but she left her work and ran to -greet the prince, ‘kissing him lovingly on the head and -shoulders.’</p> - -<p>Penelope, too, coming from her chamber, saw him, and -cast her arms about her dear son and fell a-weeping, and -kissed his face and both his beautiful eyes. ‘Thou art come, -Telemachus,’ she said, ‘a sweet light in the dark. Methought -I should never see thee again.’</p> - -<p>While Telemachus was still telling his lady-mother all -that had befallen him in his search for his father, the beggar, -with Eumaeus by his side, entered the court of the palace.</p> - -<p>In the court lay Argus, the great hound that Odysseus -himself had trained ere he went to Troy. Old was he now -and despised, for no longer could he run in the hunt, swift as -the wind. The princes had banished him from the hall, -while by the servants he was spurned.</p> - -<p>As the beggar drew near, Argus raised his head, looked at -the stranger, and began to wag his tail to show his joy. For -rags could not hide his master from the faithful hound.</p> - -<p>Odysseus turned his head away, that Eumaeus might not -see his tears.</p> - -<p>‘Surely a hound so noble as this should not lie thus -neglected in the yard,’ he said to the swineherd.</p> - -<p>‘In very truth,’ answered Eumaeus, ‘this is the dog of a -man that has died in a far land. If he were what once he was -in limb and in the feats of the chase, when Odysseus left him -to go to Troy, soon wouldst thou marvel at the sight of his -swiftness and his strength. There was no beast that could -flee from him in the deep places of the wood when he was in -pursuit of prey.’</p> - -<p>As the king and the swineherd passed on into the palace, -Argus fell back content to die, for after watching and waiting -for twenty years he had seen his master once again.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">67</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BOW OF ODYSSEUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the hall of the palace the suitors sat feasting, as was their -custom. When Eumaeus entered, followed by the beggar, -they no sooner caught sight of him than they began to mock -at his rags. But Telemachus took a loaf and gave it to the -stranger, bidding him go to each prince and beg for himself, -for said he, ‘Shame is an ill mate of a needy man.’</p> - -<p>One haughty suitor, named Antinous, rebuked Eumaeus -for bringing a beggar to the palace. ‘Have we not here -vagrants enough,’ he said in angry tones, ‘killjoys of the -feast?’ And he seized a footstool and struck Odysseus on the -shoulder.</p> - -<p>Penelope heard how Antinous had treated the stranger -in her halls and she was angry. Turning to her old nurse -Eurycleia she said, ‘Nurse, they are all enemies, for they all -devise evil continually, but of them all Antinous is the most -like to black fate. Some hapless stranger is roaming about -the house, begging alms of the men as his needs bid him; all -the others filled his wallet and gave him somewhat, but -Antinous smote him at the base of the right shoulder with a -stool.’</p> - -<p>Then she summoned Eumaeus and bade him send the -stranger to her, for she wished to know if he had heard -aught of Odysseus as he wandered from place to place.</p> - -<p>So when evening came the old nurse brought a settle, -spread over it a fleece, and placed it near to Penelope. Then -the beggar was brought to the queen’s room, and, sitting on -the settle, he told to her many a tale, and some were true and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">68</span> -some were false, for he would not yet have her know that he -himself was her lord Odysseus.</p> - -<p>Penelope wept as she listened to the stories the stranger -told. For he had seen Odysseus, and she thought that her -husband might yet return in time to save her from the -suitors whom she despised.</p> - -<p>But at length the queen dried her tears and called to -Eurycleia to come wash the feet of the stranger, who was of -the same age as her master.</p> - -<p>The old woman answered, ‘Gladly will I wash his feet, -for many strangers travel-worn have ere now come hither, but -I say that I have never seen any so like another as this -stranger is like Odysseus, in fashion, in voice, and in feet.’</p> - -<p>Then the king feared lest his old nurse should know him, -and he turned his face from the hearth. But she, as she -tended him, saw a scar on the spot where a boar had wounded -him long years before, and she knew her master had come -home.</p> - -<p>Tears well-nigh choked her, yet she touched his chin -lightly and said, ‘Yea, verily, thou art Odysseus, my dear -child.’</p> - -<p>But when she would have told the queen, Odysseus bade -her be silent, until he had taken revenge on the princes who -were feasting in his palace.</p> - -<p>As she dismissed the stranger, Penelope told him that on -the morrow the suitors held a feast, when they were to contend -for her hand. ‘Him who shall most easily bend the bow -of Odysseus I have promised to wed,’ she said. ‘Then will -I go and forsake this house, this house of my wedlock, so fair -and filled with all livelihood, which methinks I shall yet -remember, aye, in a dream.’</p> - -<p>Then Odysseus answered, ‘Wife revered of Odysseus, -no longer delay this contest in thy halls; for lo, Odysseus -will be here before these men, for all their handling of this -polished bow, shall have strung it and shot the arrow to the -mark.’</p> - -<div id="if_i_068" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_068.jpg" width="1797" height="2510" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">‘Yea, verily thou art Odysseus’</div></div> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">69</span></p> -<p>Penelope scarce heard the stranger’s words, so troubled -were her thoughts. She bade him farewell, then went to -her room to weep for her absent lord until ‘grey-eyed Athene -cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.’</p> - -<p>On the morrow Odysseus awoke early, and as he thought -of all that he hoped to do that day, he lifted up his hands -to Zeus.</p> - -<p>‘O Father Zeus,’ he cried, ‘if thou hast led me to mine -own country of good will, then give me a sign.’ And in -answer the god thundered from Olympus, and Odysseus -knew the voice of the god and was glad.</p> - -<p>Penelope too arose early on this fateful day, and when -she had put on her royal robes she came down the wide staircase -from her chamber, carrying in her hand the strong key -of her lord’s treasure-chest.</p> - -<p>She unlocked the chest, and taking from it the great bow -in its case she laid it upon her knees and wept over it. Then, -drawing the bow from its case, she carried it into the hall -where the suitors were feasting.</p> - -<p>‘Ye suitors,’ she said, as she laid down before them the -bow and the quiver of arrows, ‘Ye suitors, who devour this -house, making pretence that ye wish to wed me, lo! here is a -proof of your skill. Here is the bow of the great Odysseus. -Whoso shall bend it easiest in his hands and shoot an arrow -nearest to the mark I set, him will I follow, leaving this house -of my wedlock, so fair which methinks I shall yet remember, -aye, in a dream.’</p> - -<p>Then each suitor in turn tried to bend the mighty bow, -but each tried in vain.</p> - -<p>‘Give the bow to me,’ cried the beggar, as he saw that the -suitors had failed to bend the mighty bow, ‘give it to me that -I may prove that my hands are strong.’</p> - -<p>The princes laughed at the words of the stranger. How -should the old man bend the bow which they in their youthful -strength were unable to move?</p> - -<p>But Telemachus gave the bow into the stranger’s hands,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">70</span> -for, said he, ‘I would fain see if the wanderer can bend the -bow of Odysseus.’ Then turning to his mother, the prince -besought her to go to her daily tasks until the contest was -over, for not for her eyes was the dread revenge of Odysseus. -So Penelope with her maidens went to her room, and as she -spun she mourned for her absent lord.</p> - -<p>In the hall Odysseus stood with his beloved bow in his -hand. Carefully he tested it lest harm had befallen it in his -absence. Then taking an arrow from the quiver he placed -it on the bow and drew the string, and lo! it sped to its -mark and reached the wall beyond.</p> - -<p>At once Telemachus, his sharp sword in his hand, sprang -to his father’s side, while Eumaeus, to whom the beggar’s -secret had been told, followed him fast.</p> - -<p>The suitors leaped to their feet in dismay as the arrows -of Odysseus fell swiftly among them. Then they turned to -the walls to seek the arms which usually hung there, but -Telemachus had carried them away.</p> - -<p>Not until the proud suitors were slain did Odysseus -cease to bend his mighty bow. But at length all was over -and none were left to mock at the stranger.</p> - -<p>Then Odysseus bade Eurycleia go tell Penelope that her -lord had returned and awaited her in the hall.</p> - -<p>The queen lay on her bed fast asleep when the old nurse -broke into her room, and, all tremulous with joy, told her that -Odysseus had come and slain the suitors. Too good were the -tidings for Penelope to believe.</p> - -<p>‘Dear nurse,’ she cried, ‘be not so foolish. Why dost -thou mock my sorrow? It may be that one of the gods hath -slain the suitors, but Odysseus himself hath perished in a -strange land.’</p> - -<p>‘Nay, I mock thee not, dear child,’ answered Eurycleia. -‘The stranger with whom thou didst talk yesterday is -Odysseus.’</p> - -<p>Yet Penelope could not believe that her lord had returned. -She spoke sadly to the old nurse, telling her that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">71</span> -she was deceived and did not understand the ways of the -gods. ‘None the less,’ she added, ‘let us go to my child, -that I may see the suitors dead, and him that slew them.’</p> - -<p>Down in the hall Odysseus, clothed no longer in rags, -but in bright apparel, awaited his wife.</p> - -<p>Then Penelope as she gazed upon him knew that it was -indeed Odysseus, and she threw her arms around him and -kissed him, saying, ‘Be not angry with me, Odysseus, that I -did not know thee when I first saw thee. For ever I feared -lest another than thou should deceive me, saying he was my -husband, but now I know that thou art indeed he.’ So -welcome to her was the sight of her lord, that ‘her white arm -she would never quite let go from his neck.’</p> - -<p>Thus after twenty years did Odysseus come back to -Ithaca.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">72</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE LAND OF HELLAS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> stories of gods and heroes are not pure history. They -are myths or legends which have grown with the ages, until -sometimes they are told as though they were true.</p> - -<p>Although the tales I have been telling you of the early -days of Greece are myths, yet the Greeks who lived in later -times would often speak of them as though they had actually -happened.</p> - -<p>I am going to tell you now, not of gods or heroes, but -of the true deeds of mortal men. And first of all you will -wish to hear a little about the land in which the ancient -Greeks lived.</p> - -<p>It was named, as you already know, Hellas, while the -inhabitants were called Hellenes.</p> - -<p>But Hellas and her people had another name given to -them by the Romans, who called Hellas Graecia, and the -Hellenes Graeci, from a tribe that dwelt in a part of the -country known as Epirus. Epirus was not a very important -region, but it was well known to the Romans who dwelt in -the south of Italy. We have altered these Roman names a -little and call Hellas Greece, the Hellenes Greeks.</p> - -<p>If you open your atlas at the map of Europe, you will -find in the south the little country of Greece, which although -it is so small has yet flung its influence over all the wide -world.</p> - -<p>On three sides Greece is bounded by the Mediterranean -Sea, and the country is now usually known as the Balkan -Peninsula.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">73</span></p> - -<p>Greece is a land of great mountains. Of its loftiest -summit; Olympus, which in ancient days was the abode of -the gods, you have already read.</p> - -<p>The coast-line is broken up much as is the coast of -Scotland, by arms of the sea which run far inland, so far -inland that it is easy to reach the water from any part of the -country.</p> - -<p>Close to the shores of Greece lie the islands of the Ægean -Sea. In these islands many Greeks settled, so that they -became an important part of Greece. The Ægean Sea we -now call the Archipelago.</p> - -<p>In the time of Homer all Greeks were called Achaeans. -But in later days, only those Greeks were called Achaeans who -lived in the narrow strip of land in northern Peloponnesus -called Achaea.</p> - -<p>The ancient Achaeans dwelt in the valleys, which were -cut off from one another by great spurs of mountains. They -were united by an ancient league, and quarrelled less with one -another than did the other peoples of Greece.</p> - -<p>Besides the Achaeans there were three other great races -in Greece.</p> - -<p>The Dorians came from a little country called Doris, near -the famous Pass of Thermopylae, of which you have still -to hear. The Ionians dwelt on the east side of the Ægean -Sea, that is, they lived on the coast of Asia, while the Æolians -were scattered here and there throughout Greece.</p> - -<p>All these different tribes were Greeks, and they were -proud of their name, counting all other peoples barbarians, -and despising them because they were not Greeks. Many of -them were traders or adventurers from Asia, and they entered -the new country from the north-east, through Thessaly, and -that was not a difficult journey.</p> - -<p>Others crossed over from Asia by sea to search for a new -home. But their galleys were rough, uncomfortable vessels, -in which there was little room for the many who embarked. -When storms arose they suffered great misery, huddled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">74</span> -closely together on their small and unseaworthy boats. -Fear, too, took hold of them and the horror of death.</p> - -<p>So the wanderers were glad when they saw the many -little islands that were studded here and there over the -Ægean Sea. Some of these islands, it is true, were mere -rocks, desolate and without water. But there were others -where people had already settled and made a home. On these -the strangers landed to fight with the inhabitants, until, by -the help of the gods, they had conquered and taken possession -of them. Here they feasted, glad of heart that the perils of -the sea were now at an end.</p> - -<p>In the Heroic Age the kings of the different tribes were -believed to have descended from the gods, and each country -or state had its own king. And so it was when the Heroic -Age had passed away. Each tribe or little nation, living in -its own valley or plain, still had its own separate sovereign, -and each soon built for itself a city. The city might be -small, but it was always surrounded by a wall, which was -built for defence. If there was no wall it was not a city but -a village, however large it might be.</p> - -<p>In those days kings were not ashamed to work. They -were often to be seen in the fields at harvest time, not looking -idly on, but toiling side by side with their people.</p> - -<p>Odysseus, King of Ithaca, is said to have built his own -bedroom as well as his own boats. He claimed too to be a -skilful ploughman and reaper. And still, for many years -after the age of Odysseus, kings worked as hard as he had -done.</p> - -<p>The queens and princesses were as diligent as the kings. -Often they were to be found, like Penelope, sitting at a loom -weaving or working beautiful embroideries. They even went -to the well themselves to fetch water, and were sometimes -to be seen by the riverside, where they helped to wash the -linen of the household.</p> - -<p>In battle the king was always on the field, riding before -his army in a war chariot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">75</span></p> - -<p>When peace reigned he often sat in the market-place to -judge his people. Each suppliant told his own tale and -brought his own witnesses. The elders of the city then gave -their judgment of the case, after which the king, taking his -sceptre in his hand, stood up to pronounce sentence.</p> - -<p>But above all else the king was the chief priest of his -people, offering sacrifices for them, while they, with due -reverence, looked upon him as a god.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">76</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">LYCURGUS AND HIS LITTLE NEPHEW</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Dorians were a brave and sturdy race, braver, perhaps, -than any other of the Greek tribes. Apollo, the Sun-God, one -of the noblest of the Olympians, was the god they held in -greatest reverence.</p> - -<p>A band of these Dorians came from the north and settled -in the valley of Laconia, through which flows the river -Eurotas. Here they built villages and called themselves -Lacedaemonians.</p> - -<p>Before long five of these villages joined together to form a -city, which was named Sparta. Sparta became the capital -or chief city in Laconia.</p> - -<p>At first the new city was weak, scarcely able to hold her -own against the neighbouring tribes, and much less able to -add to her dominion. She was indeed hardly able to keep -order within her own borders.</p> - -<p>Sparta was ruled not by one king but by two, and so you -might perhaps think that she would be governed better than -any other city or state, but this was not so.</p> - -<p>The first kings were twin brothers, for an oracle had -bidden the Spartans ‘to take both as kings, but to give -greater honour to the elder.’</p> - -<p>Instead of helping each other to improve their country, -the two kings often disagreed, and then spent their days in -quarrelling. The people were content that they should do -so, for while the kings quarrelled they had no time to frame -stricter laws or to punish those who disturbed the peace of -the city.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">77</span></p> - -<p>It soon became clear that if Sparta was to grow great -and prosperous a strong man must be found to guide the -kings as well as the people. This strong man was found -in Lycurgus the famous lawgiver.</p> - -<p>History tells little about the life of the lawgiver, but -many legends cluster around his name. It is told that -Lycurgus belonged to one of the royal houses, and that when -his elder brother died he became for a short time one of the -kings of Sparta.</p> - -<p>The queen-mother was an ambitious woman, and she -wished still to sit on the throne as she had done while her -husband was alive. So she said to Lycurgus that she would -kill her tiny baby boy who would one day be king, if he -would marry her. But the lawgiver was angry, and rebuked -the queen-mother for wishing to do such a wicked deed.</p> - -<p>One night as he sat at supper with the chief men of Sparta, -Lycurgus ordered his little nephew to be brought to him.</p> - -<p>When the child was carried into the room he took him in -his arms and holding him up for all to see, he cried, ‘Men of -Sparta, here is a king born unto us.’ Before them all he -placed the babe on the throne, and as the child had not yet -been named, he called him Charilaus, the joy of the people.</p> - -<p>From that time Lycurgus became the guardian of his -little nephew and the regent of the kingdom. So upright -were his ways, so honest his words, that he was reverenced -by the people as greatly as when he was king.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the queen-mother had not forgiven Lycurgus -for thwarting her ambition, and she determined to punish -him. So she spread a report among the people that Lycurgus -meant to put his nephew to death that he might again -become king.</p> - -<p>Before long the rumour spread by the queen-mother -reached the ears of Lycurgus, and he at once made up his -mind to leave Sparta until Charilaus was old enough to -reign. As he journeyed from place to place Lycurgus -studied the laws and manners of the different countries, so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">78</span> -that when he returned to Sparta he might be able to improve -the laws of his own land.</p> - -<p>At Ionia he is said not only to have read the works of -Homer, but to have met the poet himself. So wise were -many of the customs described in the poet’s books that he -set to work to reframe those that he thought would be of -most use in his own country.</p> - -<p>Some stories tell that Lycurgus made a copy of part of the -poet’s works, for it is thought that the Greeks at this time -(about 800 or 900 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>) already knew how to write. It was -thus Lycurgus who made the works of Homer well known to -his countrymen.</p> - -<p>But in all his travels what interested Lycurgus most was -the way the soldiers were trained in Egypt. In other -countries he had seen men who ploughed their fields or plied -their trade, leave their work to fight when war broke out, but -the Egyptian soldiers were soldiers and nothing else all the -year round.</p> - -<p>Lycurgus determined that he would train the youths -of Sparta as strictly as the soldiers in Egypt were trained. -They should be neither ploughmen nor merchants, but the -best soldiers the world had ever seen.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">79</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">LYCURGUS RETURNS TO SPARTA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">While</span> Lycurgus was journeying from country to country, -Sparta was ruled more badly than before. The laws were -not obeyed, and no one punished those who disobeyed -them.</p> - -<p>The citizens who cared for the welfare of the State longed -for the return of Lycurgus and even sent messengers to bid -him come home.</p> - -<p>‘Kings, indeed, we have,’ they said, ‘who wear the marks -and assume the titles of royalty, but as for the qualities of -their minds they have nothing by which they are to be -distinguished from their subjects. You alone have a nature -made to rule and a genius to gain obedience.’</p> - -<p>Lycurgus was at length persuaded to return to Sparta, -but before he would attempt to reform the laws of his -country he went to Delphi to ask the help and advice of -Apollo.</p> - -<p>The oracle encouraged the future lawgiver, for it told -him that he was the beloved of the gods, who heard his -prayers, and that his laws would make Sparta the most -famous kingdom in the world.</p> - -<p>Then Lycurgus hesitated no more. He went back to -Sparta determined to spend his life for the good of his -country.</p> - -<p>His first act was to call together thirty of the chief men -of Sparta and tell them his plans. When they had promised -to support him he bade them assemble armed, at the market-place -at break of day, for he wished to strike terror into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">80</span> -the hearts of those who were ready to resist any change in -the laws of the land.</p> - -<p>On the day appointed, the market-place was crowded -with the followers of Lycurgus and the mob who had come to -see what was going to be done.</p> - -<p>King Charilaus hearing the tramp of armed men was so -frightened that he fled to the temple of Athene for sanctuary, -or, as we should say, for safety. He believed that a plot had -been formed against him and that his life was in danger.</p> - -<p>But Lycurgus soon allayed the king’s fears, sending a -messenger to tell him that all he wished to do was to give -better laws to the State, so that it might grow strong and -prosperous.</p> - -<p>King Charilaus was a kind and gentle prince. His -brother-king, who knew him well, said, ‘Who can say he is -anything but good. He is so even to the bad.’</p> - -<p>When he had been reassured by his uncle, Charilaus left -the temple of Athene, and going to the market-place he joined -Lycurgus and his thirty followers.</p> - -<p>Lycurgus began his reforms by limiting the power of the -kings, for he decreed that on all important matters of State -they should consult the Senate or Council of Elders.</p> - -<p>The plans of the Senate were laid before the assembly of -the people, the members saying ‘Yes’ if they agreed to them, -‘No’ if they disagreed. Nor were they allowed to talk together -over the matter before they gave their answer.</p> - -<p>Long after the death of the lawgiver, five new rulers, -called ephors or overseers, were chosen from the people.</p> - -<p>At first the ephors shared their power with the kings, but -little by little they succeeded in getting more power into their -own hands. They began their duties with this strange order -to the people, ‘Shave your upper lip and obey the laws.’</p> - -<p>Although the kings lost some of their power through the -laws that were made by Lycurgus, yet they kept their right -as priests to offer each month solemn sacrifices to Apollo -for the safety of the city. Before the army marched to battle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">81</span> -it was usual, too, for the kings to pray to the gods to give -them victory. But there were other priests in Sparta as -well as those who belonged to the royal houses.</p> - -<p>The supreme command of the army belonged to the kings, -who might go to war with any country as they pleased. If -a noble or one of the people tried to interfere with their -decision, he was punished. A bodyguard of a hundred -always attended the royal commanders.</p> - -<p>But as the years passed, a new law was made declaring -that only one of the kings should go to battle at the head of -the army, and that one was forced to account to the people -for the way in which he carried on the war.</p> - -<p>In still later times the power of the king on the battlefield -was checked by the presence of two ephors. Sometimes a -king was glad of their presence, and would even appeal to -them to make the soldiers obey the royal commands.</p> - -<p>When a king died, no public work was done until ten -days after the funeral. Herodotus, a great Greek historian, -tells us how the news of the royal death was made known. -‘Horsemen carry round the tidings of the event throughout -Laconia, and in the city women go about beating a caldron. -And at this sign, two free persons of each house, a man and -a woman, must put on mourning garb (that is sackcloth -and ashes), and if any fail to do this great pains are imposed.’</p> - -<p>Lycurgus not only made laws to lessen the power of the -kings. He tried also to alter the extravagant customs of the -people. Gold and silver money was banished from the -country, and large bars of iron were used in its place. These -bars were so heavy, and took up so much room, that it was -impossible to hoard them.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">82</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE TRAINING OF THE SPARTANS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Lycurgus</span> had seen the severe discipline which soldiers in -Egypt were forced to undergo. He had made up his mind -that his own countrymen should be trained as thoroughly.</p> - -<p>The Spartans at this time were poor and their numbers -were small, perhaps about ten thousand were fit to bear -arms. They were surrounded by enemies whose attacks -they found hard to repulse.</p> - -<p>But Lycurgus thought that if each citizen became a soldier, -and that if each soldier was trained from his childhood to -fight and to endure hardship, Sparta would soon have an -army that no other power could conquer.</p> - -<p>So as soon as a baby boy was born in Sparta he was taken -to the Council of Elders that they might decide if he should -live or die. If the child was strong and healthy he was -given back to his parents, if he was weak and ailing he was -left alone on a hillside to die from cold and hunger.</p> - -<p>When he was seven years old, the Spartan boy was taken -from his home to a public training-house. Here the strict -discipline commanded by Lycurgus was begun.</p> - -<p>Shoes and stockings were never worn by the little lads of -Sparta, although the hills and countryside were rough for -unshod feet. In winter they were clad in one garment, just -as in summer.</p> - -<p>Their beds were made of rushes, which they had themselves -gathered from the banks of the river Eurotas. This -was a hard task, for they were not allowed to cut them with -a knife, but must break them with their hands. In winter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">83</span> -the boys used to scatter thistle-down on the rushes to give a -little warmth to their hard couch.</p> - -<p>Each child, from the age of seven, cooked his own food, -which was scanty and plain. If after their meals the boys -were still hungry, so much the better, said Lycurgus. It -would teach them to hunt the more keenly, that they might -add to their daily portion of food. It would teach them to -steal from the neighbouring farm-yards or gardens without -being found out.</p> - -<p>So a hungry Spartan boy would often climb into a garden -undiscovered, or even slip into a stranger’s larder in search of -fruit and food.</p> - -<p>If the lads were caught, they were punished, not, I am -sorry to tell you, for stealing, but for being so clumsy as -to be found out.</p> - -<p>Once a Spartan boy stole a young fox and hid it under his -coat. It soon began to scratch with its claws, to bite with -its teeth, until the lad was in terrible pain, yet he would have -died rather than tell what he was suffering. Such was the -endurance taught to the lads of Sparta.</p> - -<p>If a boy shirked any hardship or flagged at his gymnastic -exercises he was flogged, perhaps even tortured. One test of -his endurance was a terrible scourging, under which he would -die rather than utter a cry of pain.</p> - -<p>In public the boys were trained to be silent, or if they were -spoken to, to answer as shortly as possible. Their short, -abrupt way of talking was called laconic, because the name -of their country was Laconia. We still use the word laconic -when we hear any one speak in as brief a way as possible.</p> - -<p>Hard as the Spartan training was, cruel as it sometimes -became, it yet made boys into strong and hardy soldiers.</p> - -<p>Girls, too, were trained, although not so severely as boys. -They ran, they wrestled, they boxed with one another, while -boys and girls marched together in religious processions and -danced on the solemn feast days.</p> - -<p>When they were twenty years of age, the girls usually<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">84</span> -married. They had been taught, as had the boys, that they -belonged to the State, and that they must love their country -and serve her with all their strength. So when Spartan -mothers sent their sons forth to war, they handed them their -shields saying, ‘Return either with your shield or upon it,’ -for they feared death less than disgrace or defeat.</p> - -<p>The children were taught to sing in chorus as part of their -drill. At some of the festivals three choirs took part, one of -old men, one of young men, and one of boys.</p> - -<p>When the old men sang a song beginning, ‘We once were -young and brave and strong,’ the young men answered, -‘And we’re so now, come on and try,’ while the boys’ voices -rang out bravely when their turn came, ‘But we’ll be strongest -by-and-by.’</p> - -<p>The Spartan lads were twenty years old before they left -the training-house to which they had been sent when they -were seven. They were then fully-trained soldiers and left -the training-house for the barracks.</p> - -<p>After they married, the men still had to take their meals -in the barracks with their fellow-soldiers. Not until they -were sixty years of age were the Spartans allowed to live -and take their meals in their own house. In this way almost -the whole of a Spartan’s life was given to the State.</p> - -<p>When war actually came and the Spartans were on the -field, they were treated with more kindness than in time of -peace. Their food was more plentiful and pleasant, their -discipline less strict. This was done to make the soldiers -look forward to war, and to desire it rather than peace.</p> - -<p>The younger soldiers, too, were allowed to curl their hair -before the battle began, to wear gayer clothes, and to carry -more costly arms. It is said that Lycurgus thought that -‘a large head of hair added beauty to a good face and terror -to an ugly one.’</p> - -<p>So famous became the bravery and the endurance of the -Spartans, that even now we call one who suffers hardships -without complaint ‘a Spartan.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">85</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE HELOTS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> Lycurgus made a law compelling soldiers to eat their -meals in the barracks, some of the wealthier citizens were -indignant.</p> - -<p>They did not wish to sit at table with their fellow-soldiers -in batches of fifteen; they would rather have gone to their -homes and taken their meals with their families.</p> - -<p>Nor did they enjoy the plain fare on which Lycurgus -insisted, a share of which each citizen was forced to send to -the mess table month by month.</p> - -<p>The most usual food in Laconia was black broth, which -was not a palatable soup. When some one ventured to -grumble at the broth, the cook answered, ‘It is nothing -without the seasoning of fatigue and hunger.’ This black -broth, with barley meal, cheese, and figs, was the Spartan’s -daily fare. Meat was a luxury which they enjoyed only on -special occasions.</p> - -<p>So great was the indignation against Lycurgus that a -crowd assembled in the market-place to complain of his laws, -and to speak harshly of his conduct.</p> - -<p>When they saw the great lawgiver coming toward the -market-place they were so angry that they picked up stones -to throw at him, and he was forced to fly for his life.</p> - -<p>His enemies followed him, but he outstripped them all -save one, named Alexander. As he turned to see who -pursued him so closely, Alexander struck his face with a stick -and put out one of his eyes.</p> - -<p>As the others hastened up, Lycurgus showed them what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">86</span> -Alexander had done, and they, ashamed of his violence, told -the lawgiver to take the rash youth and punish him as he -would. They then went with him to his house, to show that -they were sorry for what had happened.</p> - -<p>When they reached the door Lycurgus sent them all -away save his prisoner. Then going into his dining-room, he -dismissed his attendants and bade Alexander wait upon him. -During the meal he uttered no word of reproach, although the -lad had done him so great an injury.</p> - -<p>Alexander lived with Lycurgus until he learned not only -to admire but to imitate the industry and the gentleness of -his host. And so Lycurgus had the pleasure of seeing a rash -and wilful lad become a grave and sensible citizen.</p> - -<p>Each Spartan had a portion or ‘lot’ of land given to him, -on the produce of which he and his family had to live. But -citizen soldiers had no time to dig the ground, to sow, to reap, -for all their days were spent in drill and military exercises. -So their land was cultivated for them by the Helots, who had -owned Laconia before the Spartans conquered them and took -possession of their land.</p> - -<p>The Helots were treated very much as slaves, although -they had no taskmasters to drive them to their work. They -were even allowed to own property. But they had many -hardships to endure, and were always ready to rebel against -their masters.</p> - -<p>One of their greatest hardships was that their lives were -never safe. For while the Spartans were being trained, they -were often sent into the country with orders to kill any -Helot who was suspected of wishing to rebel.</p> - -<p>In time of war the Helots fought as light-armed troops. -If they showed themselves brave and loyal in the service of -the State, they were sometimes rewarded by being made free.</p> - -<p>Once during the great Peloponnesian War between Sparta -and Athens, of which you will read in this story, the Spartans -believed that the Helots had plotted to rise against them. -They determined that the rising should never take place,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">87</span> -and to prevent it they did a cruel deed. For they chose -two thousand of the bravest Helots, set them free, and gave -them a great feast to celebrate the event. Then when the -feast was over and the Helots had gone away to their homes, -suspecting nothing, the Spartans ordered each of the two -thousand freed men to be put to death. When the bravest -were killed, the others were not likely to rebel.</p> - -<p>The Spartan army became strong as Lycurgus had foreseen -it would, if it were trained according to his strict -methods. It conquered Peloponnesus, and for a time Sparta -was the chief city in that land.</p> - -<p>But there was one strange thing about these soldiers. -Well as they had been trained, they could never learn how to -attack or to take a town that was fortified. ‘Wall-fighting,’ -as the Greeks called it, was beyond their power. Even an -ordinary wall or fence would stop them in their victorious -course. At sea too they were not nearly so successful as -on land.</p> - -<p>Sparta itself was not, like other Greek cities, surrounded -by a wall. For when the citizens once sent to ask Lycurgus -if it were necessary to enclose their city with a wall, his -answer was, ‘The city is well fortified which hath a wall of -men instead of brick.’</p> - -<p>When, after many years, Lycurgus had finished his code -of laws, he called the people together and told them that he -was going to Delphi to consult the oracle on an important -matter which concerned the State.</p> - -<p>Before he set out he begged them, and also the two kings -and the Senate, to take an oath to keep his laws unaltered -until his return. This they gladly promised to do.</p> - -<p>Then Lycurgus journeyed to Delphi, and after offering -sacrifices to Apollo, he asked the god if the laws he had -made for his country were good laws.</p> - -<p>The oracle answered that the laws were good, and that as -long as the people kept them their fame would endure.</p> - -<p>Lycurgus sent this answer in writing to Sparta. Then,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">88</span> -that the Spartans might not be set free from their oath he determined -never to go back to the city. Yet it seemed that he -could not live away from her, and so, for the welfare of the -State, as he believed, the lawgiver starved himself to death.</p> - -<p>The Spartans kept the oath that they had taken, and -when they died their sons and their sons’ sons observed it. -For five hundred years, during the reigns of fourteen kings, -the laws of Lycurgus were unaltered and strictly followed.</p> - -<p>After his death Lycurgus was worshipped as a god, and a -temple was built for him in Sparta, where sacrifices were -offered to him every year.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">89</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ARISTOMENES AND THE FOX</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Spartans were eager to fight and to add to their -dominions. So they determined to attack the Messenians, -whose country lay west of Laconia, close to their own -borders.</p> - -<p>One day, while the Messenians were feasting and offering -sacrifices to their gods, the Spartans sent three youths disguised -as maidens across the borderland. Beneath their -robes the young soldiers carried arms. They stole quietly -in among the Messenians and attacked them in the midst of -their feast.</p> - -<p>But although the Messenians were unarmed they soon -captured the three Spartan lads. They then advanced -against the Spartans, and in the tumult that followed, -one of the kings of Sparta was slain.</p> - -<p>The war, which was thus begun in 743 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, lasted for -many years, and was known as the First Messenian War.</p> - -<p>No great battle was fought until four years had passed. -Even then neither side could claim a victory, but so many -Messenians had fallen that Aristodemus, their chief, withdrew, -with those of his followers who were left, to a mountain -fortress called Ithomé.</p> - -<p>Then, as was their custom, when it was difficult to know -what to do next, the Messenians sent to consult the oracle. -The answer filled them with dismay, for the oracle declared -that not until a maiden belonging to one of their ancient -houses was sacrificed to the gods need they hope to conquer -the Spartans. But Aristodemus loved his country so dearly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">90</span> -that he did not hesitate to sacrifice his own daughter to the -gods.</p> - -<p>When the Spartans heard what the brave chief had done, -they hastened to make peace with the Messenians. They -could not hope to conquer those for whom the gods would -now fight.</p> - -<p>A few years passed, and then the Spartans determined to -attack the Messenians once again, and to drive them from -Ithomé their mountain fortress.</p> - -<p>Again a great battle was fought, and again neither side -could claim the victory. But the king of the Messenians was -killed, and Aristodemus was chosen to rule in his place. -In the fifth year of his reign he defeated the Spartans and -drove them from his dominions.</p> - -<p>The victory brought no happiness to the king, for omens -of evil seemed to pursue him.</p> - -<p>In the temple a brazen shield fell from the hand of the -statue of Artemis the goddess. The daughter of Aristodemus -appeared to her father and bade him lay aside his armour. -He obeyed, and she then placed on his head a crown of gold -and clad him in a white robe. These things meant that the -death of the king was near.</p> - -<p>Aristodemus believed that not only he but his country -was doomed, and deeming that he had sacrificed his daughter -in vain, he slew himself in his despair on her tomb.</p> - -<p>For twenty years the war still dragged on, and only then -were the Spartans able to drive the Messenians from Ithomé -and raze the fortress to the ground.</p> - -<p>Many of the conquered people fled, while those who -remained were treated more harshly than were the Helots. -For they were compelled to pay as tribute to the Spartans -half the produce of their lands. This was the end of the First -Messenian War.</p> - -<p>For almost thirty years the conquered people bore their -cruel lot, then in 685 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> they rebelled, and the Second -Messenian War was begun.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">91</span></p> - -<p>Aristomenes, the leader of the rebels, was a bold and daring -foe. To show how little he feared the Spartans, he secretly -crossed the borderland into the enemy’s country, and one -night he succeeded in entering the city of Sparta itself. He -made his way to the temple of Athene, and walking in boldly -he hung up his shield beside the statue of the goddess, with -these words tied to it: ‘Dedicated by Aristomenes to the -goddess from the Spartan spoils.’</p> - -<p>With a band of his bravest followers, the chief made -more than one successful raid into the heart of the enemy’s -country, and plundered two of their cities.</p> - -<p>As in the first war, so in this second war, no decisive -victory was gained at first by either side. But legend tells -that Aristomenes did many valiant deeds.</p> - -<p>Three times he offered a strange sacrifice to the king of the -gods, which one who had slain in battle a hundred of the -foe was alone permitted to do. The sacrifice was named the -Hekatomphonia.</p> - -<p>The Spartans, alarmed at the daring of Aristomenes, sent -to consult the oracle at Delphi. They were told to send to the -famous city of Athens for a leader. Now the Spartans did -not wish to do this, for they were not on good terms with the -Athenians. Still, as they dared not disregard the oracle, -they did as they were bid.</p> - -<p>The Athenians did not wish to help the Spartans any -more than they wished to ask for help, yet they too knew -they could not ignore the oracle. So they got out of the -difficulty, as they thought, by sending a lame schoolmaster, -named Tyrtaeus. He would not be likely to lead an army -far.</p> - -<p>But although Tyrtaeus was a lame man, he was also a -poet. His war-songs roused the Spartans, and inspired them -to fight more bravely than ever. When they marched again -to battle they were singing the songs of Tyrtaeus and marching -to victory. Aristomenes was forced to retreat to the -mountains to a fortress called Ira.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">92</span></p> - -<p>For eleven years the war lingered on. The Spartans -often encamped at the foot of Ira to keep the enemy -in check. But again and again Aristomenes broke out -of the fortress, and with a band of followers crossed the -border and laid waste Laconia. Twice he was taken prisoner -and twice he escaped, but the third time he was captured -he was carried in triumph to the city of Sparta. With fifty -of his countrymen he was flung from Mount Taygetus into a -great chasm in the rock below.</p> - -<p>The fifty followers of Aristomenes were killed by the fall, -but Aristomenes was saved by the gods. For, so the legend -tells, an eagle with wings outspread carried him unhurt to -the bottom of the pit.</p> - -<p>For three days Aristomenes lay in the cavern surrounded -by the dead bodies of his comrades. To escape seemed -impossible. But when no hope was left in the heart of the -brave man, he noticed something move at the foot of the -cave. At once he roused himself to look more closely at the -moving object; it was a fox, prowling about in search of -food.</p> - -<p>In an instant hope was alive in the heart of Aristomenes. -If an animal had got into the cave, it was possible for him to -get out of it.</p> - -<p>Weak though he was for want of food, Aristomenes -managed to seize the tail of the fox, and to hold it fast when -the animal tried to escape.</p> - -<p>Onward the fox struggled, until it reached a narrow hole -in the rock. Then Aristomenes let his deliverer go, while he -began at once to enlarge the hole.</p> - -<p>The next day, to the joy of his countrymen and to the -alarm of his enemies, Aristomenes was again in the Messenian -fortress.</p> - -<p>But there was a traitor in the camp of the Messenians, and -one night, soon after the return of their leader, the mountain -fortress at Ira was betrayed into the hands of the Spartans.</p> - -<p>In the battle that followed, Aristomenes was wounded,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">93</span> -but gathering together the bravest of his followers, he made -a desperate charge through the lines of the enemy and -escaped. Some time after he died in Rome, but it is told -that two hundred and fifty years later, he was seen on a -battlefield fighting against the Spartans.</p> - -<p>The Second Messenian War ended, as had the first, in the -triumph of the Spartans, who again treated their prisoners -as slaves. In 464 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> war again broke out between the -Messenians and Sparta. The Spartans were victorious, and -the conquered people were driven from Peloponnesus. But -in 369 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> a great Theban leader called Epaminondas restored -freedom to the Messenians, and brought them back again to -their own country.</p> - -<p>The history of the Messenian War was written by the poet -Tyrtaeus, whose songs were sung for many years by the -Spartans as they marched to battle.</p> - -<p>Some of these songs we can still read for ourselves.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">94</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE OLYMPIAN GAMES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Greece</span> was made up of many separate States, each independent -of the other. But there were several bonds which -united the States. They spoke the same language, they -worshipped the same gods, they kept the same great -festivals.</p> - -<p>The festivals, held by a council called the Amphictyonic -Council, were honoured by all the States. The council was -made up of men chosen from twelve of the most ancient -Greek tribes, and met twice each year.</p> - -<p>The temple of Apollo at Delphi was under the care of the -Amphictyonic Council, and it was at Delphi that the spring-tide -festival was held. Another great festival of the -Amphictyonic Council was celebrated in the temple dedicated -to Demeter at Thermopylae.</p> - -<p>The Amphictyons, as the members of the council were -called, did not govern Greece as a parliament governs a -country. But they often talked of what could be done for -the good of the States, and of how their interests could be -united more closely.</p> - -<p>Of more power to weld the States together than the -council, were the national games, where members of all the -different countries of Greece met together.</p> - -<p>The chief of these games was the Olympian Games, -which were believed to have begun far back in the shadowy -past, and to have been revived by Lycurgus the lawgiver in -776 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span></p> - -<p>Olympia, where the games were held, was in the country<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">95</span> -of Elis in Peloponnesus. The King of Elis helped Lycurgus -to renew the interest of the Greeks in the ancient games.</p> - -<p>It is said that when Apollo first saw the beautiful valley -of Olympia he exclaimed, ‘Here will I make me a fair temple -to be an oracle for men.’</p> - -<p>The ancient Stadium, or race-course, was erected in the -valley, as well as a temple to Zeus, in which the victors of -the games were given wreaths of wild olive. These wreaths -were valued more than any other prize or distinction in -Greece. Indeed at Olympia no other reward was given save -the simple, wild olive branches, which were plucked from the -sacred grove in the Olympian plain, and twined into a -wreath.</p> - -<p>But when the victor returned to his own country, he was -loaded with gifts and honours, for he had gained for his -State and for his relations a glory which all longed to -possess.</p> - -<p>In the Olympian temple, in later days, there was a -marvellous statue of Zeus in gold and ivory, wrought by the -genius of Pheidias, the greatest sculptor of Greece.</p> - -<p>The games were open to all, and spectators as well as -competitors flocked to Olympia from every state in Greece. -To the Greeks these games were part of their religion; they -were rites pleasing, so they believed, to the gods.</p> - -<p>Should there be war between any of the Greek States at -the time of the games, all hostile acts were forbidden in -Olympia. Until the festival was over, those who had been -in arms, one against another, might meet in safety and in -peace. Twice or thrice an armed force made its way into -the sacred territory of Elis to interfere with the games. -This to the Greeks was sacrilege.</p> - -<p>In the earliest times the games lasted only for one day, -and a simple foot-race was the only event. But soon the -festival came to last for five days, for there were now, not -only foot-races, but wrestling, boxing, racing in armour, and -above all else chariot races. In these races it was not the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">96</span> -driver who, if successful, won the wreath of olive, but the -owner of the chariot.</p> - -<p>On the first day of the games, sacrifices were offered to -the gods, on the following three days the races were held, -while on the last day the people marched in procession to the -temple and again offered sacrifices and feasted.</p> - -<p>At the end of every four years the games were celebrated; -the time between the games being called an Olympiad. The -year 776 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> was counted as the first Olympiad, the second -began in 772 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> In ancient times the Greeks reckoned -their dates by the Olympiads, thus an event was said to -take place in a certain year of a certain Olympiad.</p> - -<p>Games were held at many other places as well as at -Olympia, but the three most important celebrations, after -the Olympian, were the Isthmian, the Pythian and the -Nemean.</p> - -<p>To these festivals came the poets of Greece, prepared to -celebrate in song the skill of the victors. During the -intervals between the games, great numbers of the people -assembled in a hall to listen to the poets while they recited -their poems.</p> - -<p>As the years passed the great Greek dramas or plays -came to be acted also at these festivals. At first the stage -was a simple wooden platform in the open air, but soon -wooden buildings were erected. Plays were performed at -Athens in a splendid theatre which was hewn out of the -solid rock of the Acropolis or citadel of the city. Tier after -tier was cut, until the theatre could hold thirty thousand -spectators.</p> - -<div id="if_i_096" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_096.jpg" width="1815" height="2508" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">In the earliest times a simple foot-race was the only event</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">97</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE LAST KING OF ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">You</span> remember how Cecrops came to Attica and built a city -so beautiful that the gods marvelled, and how Athene made -the first olive-tree and was therefore awarded the honour of -naming the city and becoming its patron. The olive-tree -was now said to grow on a rock in the stronghold or Acropolis -of the city.</p> - -<p>In ancient days Sparta was a more important city than -the beautiful one built by Cecrops, but little by little, as the -years passed, Athens became supreme in Greece and the most -glorious city of the world.</p> - -<p>At first Athens, like Sparta and the other States, was -governed by kings. But while Sparta continued to be a -monarchy, Athens became an oligarchy—that is, she was -governed by a few, and these few were nobles.</p> - -<p>When Codrus, the last king of Athens, was on the throne, -the State was invaded by the Dorians. An oracle had -declared that unless the Athenian king was slain in the camp -of the enemy, Athens would be taken.</p> - -<p>Codrus loved his city and determined to save it from the -enemy. So he disguised himself as a peasant and went to -the camp of the Dorians, where he killed the first soldier he -met. The comrades of the dead man at once fell upon Codrus -and, as he had hoped, he was speedily slain. Then as the -oracle had foretold Athens was saved from the enemy.</p> - -<p>The Athenians resolved that they would no longer -have kings to rule over them, because they were sure that -they could never find any worthy to follow Codrus who had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">98</span> -died for the sake of his country. This seems a strange reason -for which to overturn the monarchy. In most countries -it is the bad conduct of their kings which makes the people -wish to get rid of them.</p> - -<p>As Athens would not have another king, the son of -Codrus was given neither the power nor the title of royalty. -He was named merely archon, or ruler. An archon ruled -only for ten years.</p> - -<p>Soon the Athenians determined to choose nine archons -each year, for they thought it would be well to divide the -power among these men rather than entrust it to one ruler.</p> - -<p>The archons were obliged to consult a council of nobles -before they made a new law, while the council had to lay -their plans before the assembly of the people.</p> - -<p>In this way Athens became before long an oligarchy -governed by a few nobles. The nobles often proved harsh -rulers, taking from the people the rights that had been theirs -when Athens was a monarchy.</p> - -<p>At length the people grew so angry that they determined -to destroy the nobles who treated them so cruelly. But as -they were helpless without a leader, they were glad to follow -any ambitious noble who would place himself at their head -and lead them to fight against their oppressors. Too -often the deliverer seized the supreme power himself and -oppressed the people more than had the oligarch.</p> - -<p>The usurper was called by the Greeks a tyrant. But -the word tyrant did not mean to them, as it means to us, a -cruel man. It meant simply one who had seized a power to -which he had no real right.</p> - -<p>Some of the tyrants were cruel, but others used the power -which they had seized for the good of the State.</p> - -<p>The years 700 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> to 500 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> are known as the Age of the -Tyrants, because there were few States, save Sparta, which -did not fall under the power of a tyrant during those years.</p> - -<p>Often the people learned to hate a tyrant as greatly as -they had hated the nobles under whose harsh treatment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">99</span> -they had groaned. But it was not easy to get rid of him, -for he usually had hired soldiers to help him to keep the -citizens from rebelling. One of the wisest and best of the -tyrants was named Pisistratus, and he was a cousin of Solon, -the great lawgiver of Athens.</p> - -<p>Solon was not a tyrant, although had he wished he might -have become one.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">100</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">CYLON FAILS TO MAKE HIMSELF TYRANT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> people of Attica were divided into three classes. There -were the men of the Plain, who owned land and were wealthy; -the men of the Shore, who were fisher-folk and traders; the men -of the Hill or Uplanders, who were shepherds and herdsmen.</p> - -<p>These three parties, the Plain, the Shore, the Hill, as -they were often called, were dissatisfied with the way in -which they were treated by the nobles. For, little by little, -they were taking possession of the land and making free men -slaves.</p> - -<p>When the harvest failed, or when trade was bad, the poor -were forced to borrow from the rich. And if a poor man -could not pay his debt when it became due, his land and his -goods were seized by the rich man. Nor was that the worst, -for if the land and the goods were not enough to cover the -debt, then the poor man himself was taken to be used or sold -as a slave.</p> - -<p>So great was the discontent of the people, that in 632 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> -a noble named Cylon determined to put himself at their -head, overthrow those who were in power, and make himself -tyrant. But Cylon did not trouble to gain the goodwill of -the people. He succeeded in seizing the Acropolis, but it -was by the aid of soldiers whom he had hired from the -neighbouring city of Megara, not by the help of the people -of Athens. The Athenians were indignant when they saw -Megarian soldiers in their capital, and they looked on coldly -and struck no blow for Cylon when the archons besieged the -rebel noble in the citadel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">101</span></p> - -<p>Cylon did not stay to see his plans destroyed; he escaped -from the city by night, but his followers held the Acropolis -until famine stared them in the face. Then they gathered -for sanctuary around the altar of Athene and threw open -the gates of the citadel.</p> - -<p>Megacles, the chief archon, promised that the lives of the -defenders should be spared, but no sooner had they left the -altar than he ordered that they should be put to death.</p> - -<p>The Athenians punished Megacles for this treacherous -deed, for he and the family to which he belonged were -banished from Athens, while their property was seized by the -State. It is told that the city lay under a curse after the -treacherous deed of Megacles, nor was she freed from it until -a priest purified her with solemn religious rites.</p> - -<p>Cylon had neither gained his own ends nor had he helped -the people by his rebellion.</p> - -<p>Poverty and debt were hard to bear, yet these the citizens -might now have suffered in silence, but injustice drove them -to demand that the laws should be reformed. For the -archons punished as they pleased those who disobeyed the -law, and at the courts, sentence was often passed in favour of -those who had bribed or befriended the judge.</p> - -<p>When the people rose in 621 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> demanding that justice -should be done in the land, the task of reforming the laws -was entrusted to one of the archons named Draco.</p> - -<p>Until now the laws had not been written, and so many of -them were unknown to the people. Draco ordered that the -laws should be inscribed on tablets that they might be read -by the people. Sometimes he was blamed for the severity of -these laws, although all he had done was to make them known.</p> - -<p>But the code of laws which Draco drew up was so severe -that in later days, as the Athenians read them, they exclaimed -in horror, ‘The laws of Draco seem to have been written in -blood rather than with ink.’ And indeed there was cause for -dismay when the theft of a cabbage was punished with death. -Draco was thus of little real help to the poor people of Athens.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">102</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">SOLON FREES THE SLAVES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Solon,</span> the wise lawgiver of Athens, was a descendant of -King Codrus. His father had given away most of his wealth -to help his city or his countrymen, so Solon became a -merchant, as the sons of noblemen often did in these days of -long ago. To increase his business, Solon journeyed through -many of the states of Greece as well as to Asia. Wherever -he went he studied the laws and manners of the people, just -as Lycurgus the lawgiver of Sparta had done.</p> - -<p>Solon was not only a merchant, he was also a poet, and -because he was both wise and learned he was counted one of -the seven sages of Greece.</p> - -<p>When Solon returned from one of his journeys about -593 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, he was made an archon and asked to reform the -laws.</p> - -<p>His first act was a great and unexpected one, for he proclaimed -that henceforth no one might be made a slave because -he was unable to pay his debts. And more than that, he -said that those who were already slaves were at once to be -set free.</p> - -<p>Hundreds of men were thus delivered from slavery, many -hundreds more were freed from the fear of becoming slaves. -As these men ploughed their own lands and reaped their own -harvests they were full of gratitude to Solon. For this law -alone the name of Solon might well be held in reverence.</p> - -<div id="if_i_102" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_102.jpg" width="1816" height="2523" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Solon, the wise lawgiver of Athens</div></div> - -<p>So great was the joy of the people that the day the law -was passed was kept each year as a festival. But the rich -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">103</span>nobles were not pleased with Solon’s act, for they lost many -of their slaves and found it less easy to add to their -wealth.</p> - -<p>The lawgiver also declared that if there was war or strife -in the State, each citizen must take one side or the other. No -one was to be allowed to look on idly, or side now with one -party, now with another.</p> - -<p>Solon restored to the assembly of the people the rights -that had been wrested from it, and he did all he could to add -to its powers.</p> - -<p>In these ways Solon made Greece less and less of an -Oligarchy and more and more of a Democracy. That is to -say, Greece began to be governed by the many rather than -by the few.</p> - -<p>The laws made by Solon, and there were many of which I -have not told, were written on tables of wood and placed in -frames that revolved. These frames were called axones -and were numbered.</p> - -<p>When the laws had been written on the tables of wood -they were placed in the public hall that they might be read -by all. Other copies were made on stone pillars and kept in -the portico of the king. Each citizen took an oath that he -would keep these laws, which were to remain unaltered for a -hundred years.</p> - -<p>Solon had enemies, as reformers in all ages have had. -Some people complained because his laws were not bold -enough, others because they were too bold.</p> - -<p>Once when he was asked if he believed that he had given -to the Athenians the best possible laws, he answered, ‘The -best they could receive.’</p> - -<p>The complaints of his enemies did not greatly disturb -him. He declared that neither friend nor foe influenced him -as he worked. ‘I threw my stout shield over both parties,’ -he said, and steadfastly refused to alter his code.</p> - -<p>When he ceased to be archon he left Athens and spent -ten years seeing many strange people and many new places. -It is said that during his absence he met Croesus, King of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">104</span> -Lydia, the richest man in the world. As Solon and Croesus -did not live at the same time, it is not possible that the wise -lawgiver and the rich king could have met, but this is the -story that is told.</p> - -<p>When Solon reached Lydia, he went to the court of -Croesus. The nobles were clad in such rich garments and -were attended by so many guards and pages that the -Athenian thought that one of them must be the king himself. -But when he actually stood in the presence of the -monarch he must have smiled at his mistake, so gorgeously -was the king arrayed in gold and purple, so plentifully was he -bedecked with sparkling jewels.</p> - -<p>Croesus thought that Solon would be filled with awe at -the sight of his grandeur, but he soon found that purple -cloth and rare stones had no great interest for the Athenian.</p> - -<p>There were still his treasure-houses! These could not -fail to impress the stranger. So the king led Solon through -gallery after gallery that he might see his pictures, his statues, -and all the wonderful things that his wealth had brought -to him. Then in a glow of pride he turned to his guest, -asking if he did not think that Croesus was the happiest man -in the world.</p> - -<p>‘Nay, O king,’ answered Solon, ‘Tellus, one of my own -countrymen, was happier than thou, for he died bravely on -the battlefield in defence of his country.’</p> - -<p>Croesus thought Solon was foolish not to count that man -happiest who owned the most gold. But he only said, ‘After -Tellus, dost thou count me the happiest man in the world?’</p> - -<p>‘Nay,’ again answered the wise man, ‘but two sons who -loved their mother well, and served her with their strength.’</p> - -<p>Then the king was angry and he said, ‘Dost thou not -count me a happy man?’</p> - -<p>‘Call no man happy until he dies,’ replied the wise man, -‘for who knows what pains the gods may yet have in store -for him while he lives.’</p> - -<p>Croesus was yet to learn the truth of what Solon said.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">105</span> -For in days to come Cyrus, King of Persia, seized his city, -took him prisoner, and condemned him to be burned to death.</p> - -<p>As he was being bound to the pyre, Croesus remembered -the words of the Athenian, and he cried aloud three times, ‘O -Solon, Solon, Solon.’</p> - -<p>The King of Persia had never heard of Solon, and he asked -on what strange god his prisoner was calling.</p> - -<p>‘On no god,’ answered the miserable man, ‘but on one -whom I would that all tyrants might meet and converse -with.’ He then told Cyrus how Solon had said no one need -count himself happy while he lived, as he could not know -what misfortunes the gods had yet in store for him.</p> - -<p>Already the pyre had been set alight, but Cyrus, struck -by the words he had heard and thinking that he did not -know what fate might yet befall himself, ordered Croesus -to be set free.</p> - -<p>But the flames had blazed up fiercely, and no one could -quench the fire. Then Croesus besought Apollo to help him, -and lo! the sky which had been clear grew dark, and a heavy -downfall of rain soon extinguished the flames.</p> - -<p>‘Thus,’ says Plutarch, who tells this story, ‘Solon had -the glory by the same saying to save one king and instruct -another.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">106</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE ATHENIANS TAKE SALAMIS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Salamis,</span> an island lying about a mile from both Athens and -Megara, was in the hands of the Megarians. Its position -between the two States made it an important one. So the -Athenians determined to proclaim war against the Megarians -and try to win Salamis for themselves.</p> - -<p>But the war dragged on so long that the Athenians grew -weary, and although the Megarians still held the island they -longed for the war to end. The poor soldiers wished to -go home to plough their fields, the rich wished to escape -from the hardships of the camp to their own comfortable -homes.</p> - -<p>So at length peace was made, and a law was passed by the -Athenians forbidding any one either to say or to write, upon -pain of death, that Athens ought still to try to win Salamis.</p> - -<p>There were many citizens both indignant and ashamed -that such a law had been passed, yet lest they should be put -to death they did not dare to say what they thought.</p> - -<p>Solon was away from Athens when this law was passed, -and when he came back from his journey and found that -peace had been made while Salamis was still in the hands of -the Megarians, he was much displeased.</p> - -<p>Some time had passed since peace had been made, and -Solon knew that the Megarians were not now as strong as -they had been when the Athenians gave up fighting. So -he determined that he would rouse his countrymen to try -again to capture the island. Yet what could he do? He -would be put to death if he defied the law, which said that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">107</span> -no one must say or write that Athens ought still to try to -win Salamis.</p> - -<p>At length he hit on a strange plan. He pretended that -he was mad, and persuaded his own family to spread the -report that this terrible fate had befallen him. He then -wrote some verses, learned them by heart, and ran toward -the market-place, a cap upon his head. In those days a cap -was worn by a man only if he were ill.</p> - -<p>Solon soon attracted as much attention as he had hoped -to do by his strange gestures and by the words he shouted.</p> - -<p>As the people crowded round him he jumped on to the -platform from which heralds were used to announce important -tidings, and began to recite the verses he had written.</p> - -<p>‘I came myself as a herald from lovely Salamis, but with -song on my lips instead of common speech,’ so began the -poem. It then went on to blame those who wished no longer -to fight, and bade them ‘Arise and come to Salamis to win -that fair island and undo our shame.’</p> - -<p>As the people listened they forgot that they had believed -Solon was mad, and their hearts were stirred by his words.</p> - -<p>From that day so strong became the desire of the people -to blot out their disgrace and win Salamis, that the law which -had so displeased Solon was repealed. No one had thought -of punishing the man who had broken it.</p> - -<p>The Athenian forces were again mustered; Solon himself -being made commander of the troops. His cousin Pisistratus -went with him to battle, and it was he who succeeded in taking -the port of Salamis.</p> - -<p>In those days Athens had no fleet. Solon sailed toward -Salamis in a ship, but his army followed him in a number of -fishing-boats.</p> - -<p>When the Megarians caught sight of the Athenian ship, -they sent one of their own vessels to find out the strength -of the enemy’s fleet.</p> - -<p>Solon managed to capture this ship, and all on board -were taken prisoners. The captured vessel was then manned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">108</span> -with Athenians, and the men were ordered to sail slowly -and quietly to the island.</p> - -<p>Solon meanwhile reached the shore and, landing with his -army, at once attacked the Megarians. While the fight still -raged, the ship manned by Athenians sailed unnoticed to -the port. The soldiers leaped to the ground, sped swiftly -to the city, and took it almost before the citizens were aware -of the presence of the enemy.</p> - -<p>The island was soon in the hands of the triumphant -Athenians, by whom it was held for many long years, until -indeed Philip of Macedon conquered Greece.</p> - -<p>To celebrate the victory in after years, an Athenian ship -used to sail to the island just as the victorious one had done -on the actual battle day. When it reached the shore, a -soldier, armed as though for battle, jumped to the ground, -and with a loud shout ran toward the city, where he was met -and welcomed by his countrymen.</p> - -<p>Close to the spot where Solon won this victory a temple -was built and dedicated to the god of battle.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">109</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">PISISTRATUS BECOMES TYRANT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Solon</span> did not expect the laws he made to please each of the -three parties in Attica. So he was not greatly surprised that -while the Plain and the Coast were more or less content, the -Hill was dissatisfied and even rebellious.</p> - -<p>Pisistratus wished to help the Hill folk, who were -shepherds and herdsmen, and he hoped at the same time to -fulfil his own ambition, which was to become tyrant of -Athens.</p> - -<p>Solon did not think that it was good for the State to have -a tyrant at its head. He warned the people again and again -that Pisistratus would take away their freedom. But it was -in vain that he spoke, no one would listen to him.</p> - -<p>One day as Pisistratus drove in a chariot to the market-place, -the citizens saw to their horror that he had been -wounded. They crowded round his chariot begging to be -told what had happened. This was what Pisistratus wished. -He pointed to his wounds, telling them that the men of the -Plain had attacked him, because he was defending the rights -of the poor Hill folk. But Pisistratus was deceiving the -people, for he had given himself these wounds that he -might gain the sympathy of the people and be voted a -bodyguard.</p> - -<p>Lest he should be killed outright by his enemies, the -citizens agreed that he should have a guard of fifty clubsmen.</p> - -<p>At first Pisistratus seemed content with his guard, but -after a time he began to add to its number now one, then -another, until he knew that he was strong enough to defy his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">110</span> -enemies. He then seized the Acropolis and soon made himself -master of the State.</p> - -<p>The leaders of the Plain and the Shore were forced to -flee, and the people, in spite of the warnings of Solon, were -amazed at the cunning and the boldness Pisistratus had -shown.</p> - -<p>Solon himself felt that all he had done for the State was -undone when a tyrant ruled at Athens.</p> - -<p>Old as he now was, he was brave enough to go to the -market-place to upbraid the citizens for their folly in having -allowed Pisistratus to deceive them, and to beg them not to -lose their freedom without a struggle. ‘You might with -ease,’ he said, ‘have crushed the tyrant in the bud; but -nothing now remains but to pluck him up by the roots.’</p> - -<p>It is said that he even begged the people to take up arms -against Pisistratus, but they were not bold enough to defy -the tyrant.</p> - -<p>So Solon went home sadly, gathered together his arms and -laid them on the threshold of his house, saying, ‘I have done -my part to maintain my country and my laws, and I appeal -to others to do likewise.’</p> - -<p>Here is a verse from one of the poems which he wrote at -this <span class="locked">time—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘If now you suffer do not blame the Powers,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For they are good and all the fault is ours.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All the strongholds you put into his hands,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And now his slaves must do what he commands.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>His friends feared that Pisistratus would punish Solon -for his bold words and actions, perhaps even take his life, -so they begged him to leave the country, but he refused to go.</p> - -<p>When they asked him why he was not afraid, and to what -he trusted to save him from the anger of the tyrant, he -answered simply, ‘To my old age.’</p> - -<p>And his trust was well founded, for Pisistratus treated -Solon with kindness and with respect. He even asked his -advice in matters of State.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">111</span></p> - -<p>But the overthrow of his reforms was more than the old -lawgiver could bear, and two years later, when he was -eighty years of age, he died. It is said that by his own -wish his ashes were scattered on Salamis, the island which -he had won for Athens.</p> - -<p>Pisistratus was a good tyrant. For five years he ruled, -doing all that he could for the welfare of the State. But his -enemies, although they saw that Athens grew more prosperous -under his control, were ever plotting to get rid of him. At -the end of five years the Plain and the Coast joined together -and succeeded in driving Pisistratus from the city.</p> - -<p>But Megacles, the leader of the Coast, quarrelled with the -Plain, and he then offered to help Pisistratus to return to -Athens.</p> - -<p>It was by a strange trick that the Athenians were persuaded -once more to allow the tyrant to rule.</p> - -<p>In one of the villages of Attica, Megacles knew of a woman -named Phya, who was taller and more stately than most -Greek women. He ordered Phya to be clad in armour, such -as was worn by the goddess Athene, and then seating her in -his chariot he drove to Athens. Before the chariot went a -herald to proclaim that the goddess Athene was herself -coming to bid them open their gates to Pisistratus and to -restore him to power.</p> - -<p>The story tells that the Athenians believed that Phya -was indeed the goddess, and they hastened to obey her -behests. Pisistratus was allowed to enter the city and rule -it as before.</p> - -<p>For six years all went well, then the tyrant quarrelled -with Megacles, who again joined the Plain, and Pisistratus -was expelled for the second time.</p> - -<p>But the tyrant was a patient and a persistent man. For -ten years he lived in a province called Thrace, keeping in -touch all the time with the Hill. In 535 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he was back -again in Attica, with no goddess to help him, but with a -band of hired soldiers to strengthen his party.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">112</span></p> - -<p>The Athenian army was sent against the invaders, but -Pisistratus pretended that he did not mean to fight. So the -Athenians, thinking themselves safe, sat down to their -midday meal. Then, while they were eating and drinking, -the tyrant fell upon them, scattering them with but little -loss on either side. As the Athenians fled, the sons of -Pisistratus, Hippias and Hipparchus, rode after them, crying -aloud that all who went quietly home would be pardoned. -The citizens saw that it was useless to resist, so Pisistratus -entered Athens as tyrant for the third time.</p> - -<p>During the next eight years Pisistratus devoted himself -to making Athens the most beautiful city of the world. He -ordered that a new feast should be held in honour of the gods, -and he began to build a magnificent temple to Zeus, which -he did not live to finish. Many learned men were invited to -Athens, and poets and historians were encouraged to write -and to read their works to the people. It is even said that -Pisistratus collected a library, which he urged the citizens to -use, but of this we cannot be sure.</p> - -<p>Then, thinking perhaps that Athens was strong enough -to defy her enemies, the tyrant ordered the walls of the city -to be pulled down. So that for half a century Athens, like -Sparta, was an unwalled town.</p> - -<p>In many of the States where tyrants ruled, Pisistratus -had formed allies, and he even offered his friendship to Sparta, -the State that despised tyrants and would not allow them to -rule in Peloponnesus.</p> - -<p>Pisistratus died in 527 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, and was succeeded by his two -sons, Hippias and Hipparchus.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">113</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">HARMODIUS AND ARISTOGITON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Hippias</span> and Hipparchus were as eager as their father -Pisistratus had been to govern Athens well. Nor did they -quarrel as to the way in which they could best do this, as -brother-tyrants might have done.</p> - -<p>But one day Hipparchus quarrelled with a citizen named -Harmodius, and to quarrel with Harmodius meant to make -an enemy of his great friend Aristogiton.</p> - -<p>Harmodius showed that he was angry with Hipparchus, -who then used his power as tyrant to punish the citizen. -This was unfair, as the quarrel was a private one.</p> - -<p>The tyrant even refused to allow the sister of Harmodius -to carry a basket in the procession of the gods, an insult -which the citizen could ill brook. He therefore resolved to -revenge himself, and together with Aristogiton he made a -plot to slay not only Hipparchus but his brother Hippias as -well. Only a few friends were told of the plot, which they -hoped to carry out on the day of the procession. As it -was usual to carry arms at the festival, it would arouse no -suspicion if the friends were seen to carry theirs.</p> - -<p>When the day arrived, Harmodius and Aristogiton -appeared at the festival bearing lances, as did the other -citizens. But to be the more certain of carrying out their -plan, they also carried daggers concealed beneath their -cloaks.</p> - -<p>The conspirators wished to kill Hippias outside the city -gates, while he was arranging the order of the procession. -But when they approached the tyrant he chanced to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">114</span> -talking to one of those who knew of the plot, and the conspirators -fled, thinking that Hippias had learned their secret.</p> - -<p>Hippias was saved, but rushing to the market-place -the two friends fell upon Hipparchus and killed him.</p> - -<p>The conspirators expected the citizens to rally round -them, but they stood aloof, while Harmodius was seized by -the guards and put to death. Aristogiton was tortured to -make him betray the names of those who knew of the plot, -but he too died, steadfastly refusing to speak.</p> - -<p>Although at first the Athenians paid little attention to -what Harmodius and Aristogiton had done and had suffered, -they began ere long to think of them as heroes who had freed -Athens from the rule of one of the tyrants. Perhaps this -was because Hippias, frightened by his brother’s death, -brought hired soldiers into the city, raised the taxes that he -might have money with which to pay his mercenaries, and -began to oppress the citizens in many other ways.</p> - -<p>The discontent of the people encouraged Cleisthenes, the -son of Megacles, to put himself at their head and lead them -against Hippias, but they were soon crushed by the hired -soldiers of the tyrant.</p> - -<p>Cleisthenes then tried to do by a trick what he had been -unable to do by force. He knew that he was liked by the -priests at Delphi, for he had given munificent gifts to the -temple. So he begged them if a Spartan came to consult -the oracle, no matter about what, to answer always, ‘Athens -must be set free.’ This the priests promised should be done.</p> - -<p>The Spartans had been friendly with Pisistratus, and they -did not wish to harm his son. But when the oracle’s one -answer to all their requests was ‘Athens must be set free,’ -they knew that they must march against the tyrant if they -wished their own affairs to prosper. At first they were -defeated by the mercenaries of Hippias, but one of their -kings then took command of the army and defeated the -tyrant, who took refuge in the Acropolis.</p> - -<p>The citadel would stand a long siege, as Hippias was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">115</span> -well aware. But he was soon forced to surrender, for his -children whom he was sending secretly out of the country -were captured by the Spartans. On condition that their -lives should be spared, Hippias promised to leave the state -within five days.</p> - -<p>So the children were released and sailed with Hippias, -under a safe conduct, to Asia, where they lived in a small -town which had belonged to Pisistratus.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">116</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE LAW OF OSTRACISM</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">After</span> Cleisthenes had set Athens free from the rule of -Hippias, he began to reform the laws and to make Athens a -more democratic State than she had yet been.</p> - -<p>Until now the Athenians had been divided into four -tribes; Cleisthenes split up the four tribes into ten. Each of -the ten tribes he then arranged in ten parishes or ‘demes.’</p> - -<p>In each tribe there were demes made up of the Plain, the -Shore, and the Hill. As these demes had to fight together -in time of war, the three different parties grew to be friends -instead of enemies. And that was why Cleisthenes had -arranged the tribes in this way, instead of making one tribe -consist of ten demes of Hill men and another of ten demes -of Plain or Coast men.</p> - -<p>Members from the new tribes were sent to the assembly -of the people, and to the assembly Cleisthenes gave new -powers. It could choose its own rulers, and punish those -who ruled unjustly. It could impose taxes, make war, and -settle terms of peace.</p> - -<p>But of all the laws which Cleisthenes made, the one which -will interest you most is the one that was called the law of -Ostracism. The word ostracism comes from the Greek -<em>ostrakon</em>, a shell.</p> - -<p>In Athens there were often two leaders opposed to one -another, but each as powerful as the other.</p> - -<p>Cleisthenes thought that it would be a good plan to be -able to get rid of one of these leaders for a time and so save -the city from civil war, which often threatened to overtake<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">117</span> -it. So he said that when it was necessary to banish one of -these leaders, the citizens should meet together, each being -given an oyster-shell on which to write the name of the man -of whom he disapproved.</p> - -<p>If six thousand votes were given against one leader he -was said to be ostracised, and was compelled to leave the -city within ten days for five or perhaps even for ten years. -His exile was not a disgrace, it was enforced only for the good -of the State. When the five or ten years had passed, the -leader returned to Athens to hold as high a position as he had -held before and to take possession of his property.</p> - -<p>The reforms of Cleisthenes displeased the nobles who -wished Athens to be an oligarchy, and they were angry that -so much power had been given to the assembly of the people. -They said the city would soon be ruined, for how could the -people who were unaccustomed to so much power use it -well and wisely. But the fears of the nobles were groundless, -for from this time Athens grew more prosperous as well as -more powerful. She soon had a stronger army, a better -fleet, and, as you shall hear, was victorious over her enemies -both by land and by sea.</p> - -<p>Great writers and sculptors too added to the glory of -Athens and made her the most famous city of Greece.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">118</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BRIDGE OF BOATS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Along</span> the western shore of Asia Minor there were many -Greek colonies. One of these was called Ionia, and the chief -city of the Ionian state was Miletus.</p> - -<p>The Greeks who lived in these colonies owned, often -against their will, the King of Persia as their overlord. In -time of war they were forced to fight for him.</p> - -<p>In 521 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> a great monarch, named Darius, became King -of Persia. He added many kingdoms to his dominions during -the first nine years of his reign. In 512 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he determined -to conquer Greece and add it also to his possessions.</p> - -<p>So he assembled a great army and crossed the Bosphorus, -but instead of going west to Thessaly which lies in the north-east -of Greece, Darius turned first toward the north, and -crossing the Balkans, he reached the river Danube. Beyond -the river lay a wild and desolate country, the home of the -Scythians, who wandered up and down the land, settling -now here, now there, as their fancy pleased.</p> - -<p>The ‘great king,’ as the Persian monarchs were often called, -bade the Ionian Greeks, who formed part of his army, throw -a bridge of boats across the river. When this was done he -bade them stay to guard the bridge, while he marched with -the main body of his men into the wild Scythian country. -Should he not return in sixty days, Darius told the Ionians -that they might break up the bridge and go back to their -homes.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the great king crossed the bridge and -marched into Scythia, than his difficulties began.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">119</span></p> - -<p>The foe he had come to seek was not to be found. Knowing -that they were not strong enough to face Darius in battle, -the Scythians had driven their herds far into the desert, -while they themselves, like shadows, dogged the steps of -the Persian army.</p> - -<p>Two months passed, and still the king had not been able -to make the enemy fight. Their shadowy forms were sometimes -seen, but they were never near enough to be attacked.</p> - -<p>Darius was unwilling to own that his expedition had been -useless. Yet his men were sick from cold, and their provisions -were nearly at an end, so he had almost made up his -mind to order the retreat. But while he still hesitated, the -story tells that the Scythians sent one of their number to -the great king, carrying with him as gifts a bird, a mouse, a -frog, and five arrows.</p> - -<p>The Persians demanded the meaning of these strange -gifts, but the messenger had no answer to give. He had -been but bidden to give them to the great king and return to -his people.</p> - -<p>Then Darius called together his council to consider what -the offering might betoken.</p> - -<p>The king himself thought that the presents were to show -that the Scythians were ready to surrender their land, for -on it the mouse found its home; their water, for in it dwelt -the frog. The bird was a symbol of their war-steeds, and with -the arrows showed that they were willing to lay down their -arms. Darius was satisfied with his own explanation, but -one of his councillors thought that the gifts had quite a -different meaning.</p> - -<p>‘O Persians,’ he cried, ‘listen to my words and be wise. -For unless ye become as birds and fly up into heaven, or go -down like mice beneath the earth, or, becoming frogs, leap -into the lake, ye will not escape being shot by these arrows.’</p> - -<p>As he listened to these alarming words, the king thought -that after all perhaps this was the true meaning of the gifts, -so he determined to return to the Danube. But the sick<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">120</span> -men and the beasts of burden were left behind when the army -set out, for they could not march as quickly as Darius -wished. The groanings of these miserable men and the cries -of the animals were heard by the Scythians, who soon discovered -what had happened and set out in pursuit of Darius -and his army.</p> - -<p>Now the Ionians in charge of the bridge had long been -tired of waiting for the return of the great king. He had -perished, they said one to the other, and it would be well for -them to break up the bridge and return to their homes.</p> - -<p>Those who longed most to throw off their allegiance to -the Persians muttered that even if the king had not already -perished, he would soon do so, if he reached the Danube -without provisions, to find the bridge was no longer there.</p> - -<p>Miltiades, an Athenian, was strongly in favour of withdrawing, -but Histiaeus, tyrant of Miletus, begged the Ionians -to remain, for Darius would come back, of that he felt certain. -Then turning to the other tyrants, he cried, ‘O ye tyrants, -be sure of this, that if we leave the Persians to perish, the -men of our cities will rise up against us, because it is the king -who strengthens us in our power; and if he die, neither shall -I be able to rule in Miletus, nor you in those cities of which -ye are tyrants.’ Then the other tyrants agreed with -Histiaeus that it would be for their own good to wait for the -king.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">121</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DARIUS REWARDS HISTIAEUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Meanwhile</span> a band of Scythians had reached the banks of -the Danube. The Ionians had already loosed some of the -boats on the farther side, that the enemy might think that -the bridge was useless. And they, seeing this, and thinking -that it would be impossible for Darius to cross the river, -turned back to meet him.</p> - -<p>But that same night, after a terrible march, the great -king reached the river unnoticed by the Scythians. He saw -at once that there were no boats on his side of the river. -Had the Ionians gone home and left him to fall into the hands -of his enemy?</p> - -<p>Then he bade one of his men who was noted for the -strength of his voice to call aloud for Histiaeus of Miletus. -No sooner was this done than an answering shout was heard, -and Histiaeus sent in haste to restore the bridge of boats. -When the boats were secure, Darius with his weary army -crossed to the other side, and was greeted with every token -of loyalty by the Greeks.</p> - -<p>The king was grateful to Histiaeus when he heard that -it was he who had persuaded the other tyrants to await his -return, after the sixty days had passed, and he bade him -ask for whatever he wished.</p> - -<p>Now the tyrant longed to build a strong city far from the -control of the Persian power. So he asked for land in the -country called Thrace, which stretches north of Macedon to -the river Danube, and Darius granted his request.</p> - -<p>But Megabazus, the general of the great king, did not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">122</span> -trust Histiaeus, and when he came to Sardis, where the king’s -court was, he said to Darius, ‘O king, what hast thou done? -Thou hast given to a Greek who is wise and crafty a city in -Thrace, where there is much timber for building ships and -blades for oars, and mines of silver, and round it there are -many people, both Greek and barbarian, who will take him -for a chief and do his will by night and by day. See then -that he make not war against thee in time to come.’</p> - -<p>Darius feared lest Megabazus was right, and he determined -to send for Histiaeus and keep him at his own court. Yet -as Megabazus might have made a mistake, the message the -king sent to the Greek was a kind one.</p> - -<p>‘O Histiaeus,’ said the king, ‘I have pondered it well, and -I find none who is better minded to me and to my kingdom -than thou art. This I know, for I have learnt it, not by -words but in deed. And now I purpose to do great things. -Come therefore to me in any wise, that I may entrust them -to thee.’</p> - -<p>These words pleased Histiaeus. It seemed to him that -the great king was treating him even as one of his counsellors. -But when he reached the king’s court and was told what the -commands of Darius were, he was not so well content.</p> - -<p>‘O Histiaeus,’ said the king, ‘there is nothing more -precious than a wise and kind friend, and I knew that this -thou art to me. So now thou must leave Miletus and the -new city which thou hast built, and come with me to my court -at Susa.’</p> - -<p>The Greek found it hard to hide his anger and disappointment. -Rather would he be tyrant at Miletus, or ruler in -his new city, than a favoured courtier at Susa.</p> - -<p>Aristagoras, the brother-in-law of Histiaeus, was now made -tyrant of Miletus, while Darius appointed his own brother -Artaphernes to be ruler of Sardis.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">123</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">HISTIAEUS SHAVES THE HEAD OF HIS SLAVE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">For</span> a few years after Histiaeus was summoned to Susa, the -Greek cities in Asia showed no disloyalty.</p> - -<p>But about 500 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the people of Naxos, an island in the -Ægean Sea, rose and expelled the nobles from their city. -This was the beginning of a war between Greece and Asia, -known as the Ionian revolt.</p> - -<p>The nobles, when they were turned out of Naxos, went to -Aristagoras, tyrant of Miletus, to beg him to help them to -punish the rebels and to gain possession of the island.</p> - -<p>Aristagoras knew that alone he was not strong enough -to regain Naxos for the nobles, but he said that he would ask -Artaphernes, the Persian ruler in Sardis, to help him.</p> - -<p>So Aristagoras went to Sardis and begged Artaphernes to -give him a hundred ships to sail against Naxos, promising if -he would do so to reward him with money and with gifts.</p> - -<p>Artaphernes offered, if Darius would consent, to give not -only a hundred, but two hundred ships. The great king -bade his brother do as he thought well, so two hundred ships, -under the command of Megabates, were sent from Sardis to -join Aristagoras in his expedition against Naxos.</p> - -<p>The two leaders, Aristagoras and Megabates, had not -sailed far together when they quarrelled, and it was because -of this quarrel that the plans of Aristagoras went awry.</p> - -<p>One night Megabates found that no watch had been set -on one of the ships belonging to Aristagoras. He was so -angry with the captain for being careless that he ordered -his head to be placed in one of the oarholes in the side of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">124</span> -vessel. When this was done the unhappy man could do -nothing to set himself free, but with hanging head he was -forced to gaze into the water.</p> - -<p>When Aristagoras found what Megabates had done he -went at once to ask him to set the culprit free. This -Megabates refused to do, and the tyrant himself released the -captain.</p> - -<p>To have his authority flouted in this way made Megabates -angry, but when he would have spoken, Aristagoras proudly -bade him be silent, saying, ‘Did not Artaphernes send you to -serve under me?’</p> - -<p>Perhaps it would have been wiser to allow the Persian -to speak, for now his anger smouldered in his heart, and -he resolved to be revenged on Aristagoras. So he sent a -messenger to Naxos to warn the citizens that an enemy was -at hand.</p> - -<p>The Naxians at once strengthened their walls and brought -provisions into their city, so that when Aristagoras arrived, -he found to his astonishment that the citizens had been -warned and were ready to resist an attack.</p> - -<p>For four months the Greeks and Persians besieged Naxos, -but all their efforts to take the city were vain. Then, their -money and their provisions having come to an end, Aristagoras -was forced to order the fleets to withdraw.</p> - -<p>The tyrant was now in great trouble. He had neither -gold nor gifts to give to Artaphernes as he had promised. -He had wasted Persian money on a useless expedition, and he -had made Megabates his enemy. What would Darius say -when he heard these things? Aristagoras was afraid that -the king would no longer allow him to be tyrant of Miletus.</p> - -<p>It seemed to Aristagoras that the only way to save himself -from disgrace was to persuade the Greeks in Asia Minor -to revolt against Darius and himself to become their leader.</p> - -<p>Now just at this time Histiaeus was more than ever -determined to escape from the court of Susa. He thought -if Aristagoras would but incite the Greeks to rebel, Darius<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">125</span> -would send him back to Miletus to restore order to the -city.</p> - -<p>So while Aristagoras was still hesitating about rousing the -citizens, a slave was shown into his presence. He came from -Histiaeus, and said that his master had bidden him tell -Aristagoras to shave off his hair and look at the message -that was branded on his head.</p> - -<p>This was a strange way to send a message! But Histiaeus -had been unable to think of any other way to tell Aristagoras -what he wished him to do. So he had himself first shaved -the head of his slave, and branded on it certain signs which -meant that the tyrant was to revolt against the Persians. -He had waited only until the slave’s hair had grown again, -when he had at once sent him to Miletus.</p> - -<p>When Aristagoras looked at the slave’s head and learned -that Histiaeus encouraged him to revolt, he hesitated no -longer. He determined to rouse the Ionian Greeks, and he -began with his own city Miletus. When he had assembled -the citizens he told them that the time had come to throw off -the Persian yoke. He then gave up his position as tyrant -that Miletus might be made into a democracy. The example -of Miletus was quickly followed by many other cities, and the -Greeks were soon in open rebellion against Darius.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">126</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">SARDIS IS DESTROYED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Ionians knew that they would not be able to throw off -the Persian yoke without help from their kinsfolk in Greece. -So Aristagoras was appointed to go to Sparta to beg king -Cleomenes to help the Ionians, who were of the same race -as were he and his people.</p> - -<p>When Aristagoras reached Sparta he tried to tempt the -king to help the Ionians by telling him of the wealth he might -gain for himself. After Artaphernes was conquered at Sardis -it would, he said, be an easy matter to go to Susa and seize -the treasures of the great king. He then showed Cleomenes -a thing he had never seen before—a map engraved in -bronze. Aristagoras pointed out to him all the countries -he might make his own if he would aid the Ionians in their -revolt.</p> - -<p>The king listened and looked, then he dismissed the Greek, -promising to think over the matter. In three days he sent -for Aristagoras and asked him how long it took to journey -from Ionia to Susa.</p> - -<p>‘Three months,’ answered the messenger.</p> - -<p>‘O stranger,’ then said Cleomenes, ‘depart from Sparta -before the sun goes down; thou art no friend to the Lacedaemonians -when thou seekest to lead them three months’ -journey from the sea.’</p> - -<p>In spite of the king’s command, Aristagoras still tarried -in Sparta. He had made up his mind that he would see -Cleomenes once again ere he left the country.</p> - -<p>So one day, taking an olive branch in his hand as a sign<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">127</span> -of peace, he went to the king’s house. He found Cleomenes -alone with his little daughter Gorgo, a child about eight -years old.</p> - -<p>Aristagoras begged the king to send his daughter away, -but Cleomenes said, ‘Pay no heed to the child.’</p> - -<p>Then the Greek tried to bribe the king to send help to -Ionia. Ten talents he offered, twenty, thirty, but in vain. -Forty, fifty! Surely, thought Aristagoras, the king would -be won by fifty talents.</p> - -<p>But at that moment little Gorgo interfered. ‘Father,’ -she cried, ‘the stranger will corrupt you unless you rise up -and go.’</p> - -<p>Cleomenes listened to the child’s words and knew that -they were wise. He rose and left the room, and Aristagoras -knew that he had been beaten by the little princess.</p> - -<p>But although Sparta would not help, Athens might. So -Aristagoras went to the beautiful city and found that the -Athenians were willing to send twenty ships to the aid of -the Ionians. ‘These ships,’ said Herodotus, ‘were the beginnings -of evil both to the Greeks and to the barbarians.’</p> - -<p>In 498 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the Athenian fleet was ready. It sailed across -the Ægean and the troops landed at Ephesus, where they -were joined by the Ionians. Together they marched upon -Sardis.</p> - -<p>Artaphernes saw that he could not hope to hold the town -against the force that was approaching. So he left the city -to be plundered, while he with a small band of soldiers took -refuge in the Acropolis.</p> - -<p>As they met with little resistance, the Athenians at once -began to pillage the town. One of the soldiers set fire to a -house, and as many of them were made of wickerwork, while -all the roofs were thatched, the flames spread quickly -through the city until Sardis was destroyed. Then the -Greeks, loaded with plunder, began to march back to -Ephesus, but on the way they were met by a troop of -Persians and defeated. The Athenians now determined to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">128</span> -go home. Aristagoras begged them to stay, but they paid -no heed to his request, and hastening to the shore they -embarked and set sail for Athens. Nor did the Athenians -take any further share in the Ionic revolt.</p> - -<p>But they had already done enough to rouse the anger of -Darius. The great king knew that it would be easy to punish -Aristagoras and the Ionians. As for the strangers who had -burned Sardis, one of his capital towns, they, whoever they -were, should suffer most heavily. He was told that the -strangers were the Athenians.</p> - -<p>‘The Athenians—who are they?’ he demanded -haughtily. And when he had been told he sent for a bow -and shot an arrow high into the air, saying as he did so, -‘O Zeus, suffer me to avenge myself on the Athenians.’ -He then bade one of his slaves say to him three times each -day as he sat at dinner, ‘O king, remember the Athenians.’</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Aristagoras saw that there was little chance -of the revolt being successful against the forces of Darius. -So, like a coward rather than like a brave leader, he deserted -those whom he had encouraged to rebel and fled to Thrace. -Here, while besieging a town, he was slain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">129</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SANDAL SEWN BY HISTIAEUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Now</span> when Darius heard that Sardis had been destroyed, he -sent for Histiaeus and said to him, ‘O Histiaeus, I hear that -the man to whom thou hast given thy city has been doing -strange things. He has brought over men from Europe to -help the Ionians whom I shall punish.... How can all this -seem good to thee? And without thy counsels how could -such a thing be done? See that thou bring not thyself into -blame afresh.’</p> - -<p>Histiaeus tried not to think of the slave whose head he -had shaved and whom he had sent to Aristagoras, as he -told the king that he had had nothing to do with the revolt -in Ionia. He begged to be allowed to go to help Artaphernes -to put down the rebellion. He would do even more -to show his loyalty; he would seize the rich island of Sardinia -to add to the possessions of the great king.</p> - -<p>‘Yea, I swear by the gods whom the king worshippeth,’ -he cried, ‘that I will not put off the tunic in which I shall go -down to Ionia, before I bring under thy power the mighty -island of Sardinia.’</p> - -<p>It was not difficult to persuade Darius that Histiaeus was -innocent, for since the Greek had tarried for him at the bridge -of boats the king was ever ready to believe in his loyalty. -So to his great delight, Histiaeus was bidden to go to Sardis -and help Artaphernes to put down the revolt.</p> - -<p>But Artaphernes was less easily deceived than the great -king. No sooner had Histiaeus arrived at Sardis than the -Persian accused him of treachery.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">130</span></p> - -<p>‘Why did the Ionians rebel against the king?’ he asked -the Greek in a stern voice.</p> - -<p>‘I cannot tell,’ answered Histiaeus. ‘I have marvelled -at all the things which have happened.’</p> - -<p>‘O Histiaeus,’ said Artaphernes, ‘thou hast thus much -to do with these matters. Thou didst sew this sandal and -Aristagoras hath put it on.’</p> - -<p>Then at length Histiaeus was afraid lest his deceit had been -discovered, and lest he should be punished. So when night -came he stole out of the city and went as speedily as might be -to the sea. From that time he became a sea-robber or pirate, -seizing any vessel from which he could hope to get booty, -whether it belonged to Greek or to barbarian.</p> - -<p>After a long time he was taken prisoner by the Persians. -Artaphernes ordered that he should be crucified and that his -head should be sent to Darius.</p> - -<p>But the great king was displeased that his general had -not sent the Greek to him alive.</p> - -<p>‘If Histiaeus had been sent away alive to King Darius,’ -says Herodotus, ‘he would not, I think, have suffered any -harm, but his trespass would have been forgiven him.’</p> - -<p>Even as it was, Darius was determined to show what -honour was yet possible to his faithless servant. For he -ordered his slaves to ‘wash the head and adorn it well, and -to bury it as the head of one who had done much good to -himself and to the Persians.’</p> - -<p>In 494 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, four years after the Athenians had sailed to -the help of the Ionians, the revolt was crushed. Miletus, -where the rebellion had begun, was punished more severely -than the other rebellious cities.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">131</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DARIUS DEMANDS EARTH AND WATER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Ionic revolt was ended, but Darius had yet to punish -the Athenians for burning the city of Sardis. Eight years -had now passed since she had been destroyed, yet his anger -against the Greeks was as fierce as ever.</p> - -<p>Daily during all these years a slave had said to him as he -sat at dinner, ‘Sire, remember the Athenians,’ and now, at -length, his vengeance was at hand.</p> - -<p>Mardonius, one of the king’s generals, was ordered to -invade Greece and to bring back with him to Susa the -Athenians who had dared to destroy Sardis.</p> - -<p>So Mardonius crossed the Hellespont, and began to march -through Thrace and Macedonia. His fleet, with part of his -army, was to meet him later, beyond the perilous promontory -of Mount Athos.</p> - -<p>The country through which Mardonius marched was wild, -and inhabited by rough and savage tribes. These tribes -attacked the Persian troops so fiercely that more than half -of them were slain. Meanwhile the fleet had encountered -a terrible storm, and three hundred ships were dashed to -pieces upon the rocks near Mount Athos, while twenty -thousand men were drowned.</p> - -<p>When Mardonius heard of this terrible disaster he knew -that his troops would not now be strong enough to invade -Greece. So he went back to Persia.</p> - -<p>But Darius was as determined as ever to punish the -Athenians. He spent two years in preparations, and then,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">132</span> -before he set out for Greece, he sent heralds to the different -states, demanding from each earth and water. To give -earth to the great king was to acknowledge him as ruler of -their land, to give water was to own that he was monarch -of the sea.</p> - -<p>Many of the states were afraid to refuse, and sent the earth -and water which Darius demanded, but among these was -neither Athens nor Sparta.</p> - -<p>So indignant were these two cities that a barbarian, as -they called Darius, should send such a demand to the free -States of Greece, that they treated his heralds with scant -courtesy. The Athenians flung the messenger who came to -their city into a deep pit, while he who went to Sparta was -tossed into a well and told that there he would find the earth -and water that his king desired.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 490 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Darius sent the army and fleet -that he had assembled, across the Ægean Sea to the island of -Euboea. Here there was a city named Eretria, whose inhabitants -had shared in the destruction of Sardis. The -Persians plundered the city and took its chief citizens -prisoners, loading them with chains.</p> - -<p>Flushed with victory, the army then crossed over to -Attica and landed near the plain of Marathon. There where</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">The mountains look on Marathon,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And Marathon looks on the sea,’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">a great battle was fought between the Greeks and the -Persians.</p> - -<p>Hippias, the tyrant who had fled from Athens many years -before, had been living under the protection of Darius and -was now with the Persian army. It is said that it was he -who had advised the enemy to land at Marathon.</p> - -<p>The army of Darius was much larger than that of the -Athenians, for it was one hundred thousand strong, while -the Greeks numbered only about ten thousand trained -soldiers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">133</span></p> - -<p>The Greeks were commanded by ten generals. If they -did not agree how to attack the enemy or how to defend -themselves, they consulted one of the archons called the -polemarch, or commander-in-chief. The polemarch at this -time was Callimachus. But the glory of the victory of -Marathon belongs not to Callimachus but to the general -Miltiades.</p> - -<p>It was Miltiades who had urged the Greeks to break up the -bridge of boats at the Danube and to leave Darius to his fate, -and he had ever rebelled against the lordship of the Persian -king. He had done all he could to encourage the Ionian -revolt, and when it was crushed he fled to Athens, to which -city he belonged.</p> - -<p>When the Persians landed at Marathon the ten Greek -generals met together to decide how best they might defend -their country. Five of them, among whom Miltiades was -the most urgent, wished to march at once to Marathon -to attack the enemy. But the other five were more timid, -and said that it would be better to wait until they were -joined by the other Greek States before they risked a battle.</p> - -<p>Then Miltiades rose in the council of war to beg -Callimachus to give his vote for war without delay. So -sure was he of success that his eagerness decided the polemarch -to give his vote as Miltiades wished. Thus it was -settled that the army should march to Marathon without -delay.</p> - -<p>At this time an army was usually drawn up for battle in -three divisions—the right wing, the left wing, and the centre.</p> - -<p>On the field of Marathon, Miltiades made his wings as deep -as possible, but as his army was small, this left his centre -less strong than that of the enemy.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">134</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF MARATHON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">While</span> the council of war was being held, a youth named -Philippides was on his way to Sparta to beg the citizens to -hasten to the help of their country. Philippides was sometimes -called by his friends Pheidippides.</p> - -<p>As Philippides sped on his errand a strange adventure -befell him, for it is told that he met the great god Pan:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘There, in the cool of a cleft, sat he—majestical Pan.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Ivy drooped wanton, kissed his head, moss cushioned his hoof,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All the great God was good in the eyes grave-kindly—the curl</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Carved on the bearded cheek, amused at a mortal’s awe,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">As under the human trunk, the goat thighs grand I saw.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">“Halt, Pheidippides!” halt I did, my brain in a whirl;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">“Hither to me; why pale in my presence?” he gracious began.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>The young Athenian was too amazed to answer, he but -gazed at the god in silence. Then Pan asked why he was no -longer worshipped in Athens, and promised that he would -fight among the ranks of the Athenians against Persia, so -that henceforth they would worship him in gratitude for -his help.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent36">‘Test Pan, trust me!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Go bid Athens take heart, laugh Persia to scorn; have faith</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the temples and tombs. Go say to Athens, “The Goat-God saith;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">When Persia—so much as strews not the soil—is flung under the sea,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Then praise Pan who fought in the ranks with your most and least,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Goat-thigh to greaved-thigh, made one cause with the free and the bold.”’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">As a pledge the god then gave to Philippides a handful of -a herb called fennel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">135</span></p> - -<p>The youth then sped on as before until he reached -Sparta. But although the Spartans said they were willing -to fight, they could not march until the moon was full, for -their religious rites forbade that they should.</p> - -<p>So Philippides, having done his errand, hastened back to -Athens and told the citizens all that had befallen him.</p> - -<p>Glad that the god had promised his aid the Athenians at -once set out on their march to Marathon. Here they were -joined by a force of one thousand men from the little town -of Plataea. They came to show their gratitude to the -Athenians who had sent help to them when they were -attacked by their enemies.</p> - -<p>From their camp on a hill above the plain of Marathon, -the Greeks looked down upon the vast army of the Persians. -For several days no battle was fought, the Persians being -unable to attack the Athenians without danger as they were -on the hill.</p> - -<p>At length Miltiades, whom the other nine generals were -willing to follow, resolved to wait no longer. He ordered -his men to advance at a sharp run down the hill and to charge -the enemy.</p> - -<p>When they had started, the soldiers could not stop themselves. -Quicker and quicker they ran, until, when they -reached the plain, they crashed into the Persian army with -tremendous force.</p> - -<p>The shock was so great that the enemy gave way before -it and was driven by the Athenians toward the sea or -toward a small marsh that lay at one end of the plain.</p> - -<p>But while both wings of the Greek army were victorious, -the centre, which was weak, would have been beaten, had -not Miltiades seen the danger and called back those who were -pursuing the scattered Persian wings. Only after a fierce -struggle was the centre of the Persian army also driven to -the shore in utter confusion.</p> - -<p>Those who escaped the sword of the Athenians tried to -reach their ships, but seven of the vessels had been seized by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</span> -the victors. In the struggle on the shore, Callimachus the -polemarch was slain.</p> - -<p>The battle of Marathon was won, and the glory of the -victory was due to the prowess and skill of Miltiades.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the victory certain, than the whole army -cried that Philippides should race once again, but this time -to the Acropolis, to tell Athens that by the help of Pan she -was indeed saved.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘So Pheidippides flung down his shield,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Ran like fire once more; and the space ’twixt the Fennel-field</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Till in he broke; “Rejoice, we conquer.” Like wine through clay</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died—the bliss!...</div> - <div class="verse indent0">So is Pheidippides happy for ever, the noble, strong man</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Who could race like a god, bear the face of a god, whom a god loved so well.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">He saw the land saved he had helped to save and was suffered to tell</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Such tidings, yet never decline, but gloriously as he began</div> - <div class="verse indent0">So to end gloriously—once to shout, thereafter be mute:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">“Athens is saved!” Pheidippides dies in the shout for his meed.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<div id="if_i_136" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_136.jpg" width="1807" height="2501" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">They crashed into the Persian army with tremendous force</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">MILTIADES SAILS TO THE ISLAND OF PAROS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Until</span> the Greeks won their great victory at Marathon, in -490 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, they had always feared the Persians. Now their -fear was forgotten. They had still a long struggle before the -Persians were banished from their land, but, inspired by -the memory of Marathon, the Greeks fought bravely and -were sure always that they would be the victors. ‘It was -as though on the day of Marathon the gods had said to the -Athenians, “Go on and prosper.”’</p> - -<p>Among those who fought on this famous field was -Themistocles. He was young then and fought in the ranks, -but he was yet to become one of the greatest men that -Athens ever knew. Aristides too was there, of whom as of -Themistocles there are many things to tell; Æschylus, the -great tragic poet, also bore arms at Marathon.</p> - -<p>When the battle was over, it was found that the Athenians -had lost only one hundred and ninety-two men, while of the -Persians six thousand four hundred lay dead upon the field. -In spite of this the army of the Persians was still large enough -to attack the unwalled city of Athens.</p> - -<p>Soon after the battle a bright shield was hung on one of -the heights of the city, and it was said that a traitor had -signalled to the enemy that now was the time to attack her. -But Miltiades saw the light as well as the Persians, and -guessing what it meant, he took his army back to Athens by -a forced march. He arrived in time to see the fleet of the -enemy as it approached the harbour.</p> - -<p>But when the Persian general saw that he need not hope<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</span> -to take the city unawares, he did not venture to risk another -battle. An army already flushed with victory would soon -scatter his dejected troops. So he ordered the fleet to sail -for Asia.</p> - -<p>While Miltiades was making a forced march back to -Athens, Aristides was left at Marathon with a band of -soldiers to guard the prisoners and the plunder, for his -honesty was already well known.</p> - -<p>Neither he himself touched any of the treasures of the -Persian camp, nor did he allow his followers to plunder. -Callias, the torchbearer, ‘most cruel and impious of men,’ -did, it is true, seize a treasure, but he did so unknown to -Aristides. For one of the Persians, thinking Callias was of -noble rank and hoping to win his favour, fell at his feet, -and then, rising, took his hand and led him to a ditch in -which a large quantity of gold had been hidden.</p> - -<p>Callias seized the treasure, then lest the Persian should -tell what had happened, he slew him.</p> - -<p>The Spartans who had promised to help to fight against -their country’s foe did not forget to march to Marathon when -the moon was full. They even marched one hundred and -fifty miles in three days, but in spite of this they reached the -battlefield too late to share in the victory.</p> - -<p>A mound was raised over the Athenians who had perished, -about half a mile from the sea. If you go to where</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘The mountains look on Marathon,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And Marathon looks on the sea,’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">you may see it still.</p> - -<p>After the victory, Miltiades was the hero of Athens. -He knew that the citizens would grant what he chose to -ask, so he begged for a fleet of seventy ships. He knew of a -land where gold and treasures were to be had in abundance. -Thither would he sail and return to enrich the city.</p> - -<p>The fleet was entrusted to him, but Miltiades did not sail -to the wonderful land of which he had told, but, so it is said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">139</span> -to the island of Paros. Here in the capital city, which was -also called Paros, dwelt a citizen with whom the Athenian -had a quarrel. To punish him, Miltiades laid siege to the -town, but again and again his attacks were repulsed. Then -one day as he was on his way to the temple of Demeter, -Miltiades was seized with sudden panic. In his haste to -leave the sacred grove he leaped over a fence, and in doing -so he hurt his thigh.</p> - -<p>When he returned to Athens he was no longer in favour -with the people whom he had deceived. Wounded as he -was, he was carried into court on a couch and was condemned -to pay a heavy fine. But he died before he had -collected the money.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Darius heard how his army had been defeated -at Marathon. In his wrath he vowed that he would never -rest until he had conquered Greece.</p> - -<p>Three years he spent, preparing once again to invade -Europe. His heralds were sent all over his wide dominions -to gather together a great army. Horses and corn too the -king demanded should be sent ‘much more than before.’</p> - -<p>But the great king never carried out his plan of again -attacking Greece, for he died in 485 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, after having -reigned for thirty-six years. His son Xerxes succeeded to -the throne of Persia.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">140</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ARISTIDES IS OSTRACISED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Four</span> years after the battle of Marathon, Themistocles and -Aristides were the two chief citizens in Athens.</p> - -<p>Themistocles wished to make Athens a great sea-power, -for he was sure that some day the Persians would return. -He believed that if the Athenians were able to destroy the -Persian fleet, all would be well. The land forces of the -enemy would be powerless to conquer Greece.</p> - -<p>But if Athens was to have a better fleet, Themistocles -knew that she must first have a better harbour. The one -that the Athenians used was at Phalerum, where the sea -almost reached the city. It was only an open roadstead, -a place where ships might ride at anchor, which would be of -little use to protect vessels from an enemy.</p> - -<p>Themistocles knew a better site than Phalerum, where a -strong harbour might be built. This was the rocky peninsula -of Piraeus, which was about four miles from Athens.</p> - -<p>By his advice three harbours were made here, into -which the largest vessels could enter. Yet the opening to -all three was such that it could be closed easily with chains -and logs, so as to prevent the entrance of an enemy. The -Piraeus soon grew into a large town, for those who did not -own land flocked to the port in the hope of finding work.</p> - -<p>Not only did Themistocles persuade the Athenians to -fortify the Piraeus, but he also made Athens a great sea-power.</p> - -<p>At this time there was money to spare in the public -treasury, for a rich bed of silver had been discovered in an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</span> -old mine. This money was to be divided among the -Athenians. Themistocles was brave enough to risk the anger -of the people by proposing that it should not be given to -them, but should be used to build ships.</p> - -<p>The Athenians were eager to conquer the people of -Ægina who for years had harried their coasts, and they -agreed to his proposal more readily than Themistocles had -dared to hope. With the money the State built two hundred -ships, so the people were able to conquer their enemy and -were well content. But it was Themistocles alone who -wished to prepare Greece for a great Persian invasion. Of -this the Athenians had no fear.</p> - -<p>When the ships were ready, Themistocles saw that the -soldiers must be trained to manage the vessels, to become -indeed good sailors.</p> - -<p>A wise Greek named Plato tells us that Themistocles -‘from steady soldiers turned the Greeks into mariners and -seamen, tossed about the sea, and gave occasion for the -reproach against him, that he took away from the Athenians -the spear and the shield, and bound them to the bench and -the oar.’</p> - -<p>Aristides and Themistocles were rivals. They were -brought up together, and when they were boys they usually -took different sides, just as they continued to do when they -were men.</p> - -<p>If you could have watched the boys in school or in the -playground you would have seen at once how different they -were. Themistocles was impetuous and bold, artful too, if -by being so he could gain his own ends. Aristides was gentle -and retiring, honest as the day, in work as in play.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was not fond of lessons nor yet of games. -But he knew a great deal even as a boy of what was going -on in the city and in the State, and he was eager to -know more.</p> - -<p>While Aristides and his comrades were laughing and -shouting over their game of quoits, Themistocles was walking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</span> -up and down alone in a quiet corner of the playground. He -was rehearsing a speech, which he would soon begin to recite -aloud.</p> - -<p>Sometimes, in more friendly mood, he called his playfellows -together and delivered his speech to the crowd of -little critics. It was usually about the affairs of State—about -politics, as we would say.</p> - -<p>His schoolmaster saw that although the lad did not love -lessons, he could be an earnest student if he were interested -in a subject. One day he said to him, ‘You, my boy, will -be nothing small, but great, one way or other, for good or -else for bad.’</p> - -<p>From his boyhood Themistocles was ambitious, and when -he grew up he accepted bribes, if by doing so he thought he -could reach a higher position in the State.</p> - -<p>When he became a judge he showed favour to his friends, -even though to do so was unjust. One of them once said -to him that he would be a good judge, if he would give -sentence ‘without respect of persons.’ But in no way -abashed, Themistocles answered, ‘May I never sit upon the -seat of judgment where my friends shall not receive more -favour from me than strangers.’</p> - -<p>Aristides was in this, as in other things, the opposite of -his rival, for he was an honourable and upright judge. He -was ever ready to please or to help a friend, but to do so he -would stoop to no act of injustice. Once he accused one of -his enemies of a crime, and the people, with whom Aristides -was at that time a favourite, wished to condemn the man -without listening to his defence. But this Aristides would -not allow.</p> - -<p>When he himself was judge, two people came before him, -one of whom was an enemy of his own. The other, knowing -this, felt sure that he would win his suit, and instead of telling -of what he accused the man, he began to remind Aristides -that it was an enemy of his own who stood before him. But -Aristides bade him be silent. ‘Tell me not,’ he said, ‘what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</span> -injury he has done to me, but what harm you have suffered -from him, for I am trying your cause and not my own.’</p> - -<p>Themistocles not only took bribes, but he often tried to -make others accept them. Many of the Greeks did so, for -they could not easily resist gold, but Aristides was never one -of those who took money from Themistocles, or indeed from -any one.</p> - -<p>When Themistocles urged the Athenians to increase their -fleet, Aristides opposed him with all his strength. And he -did this, not because he disliked his rival, but because he -believed that it would be better for the State to increase her -army rather than to have a powerful navy.</p> - -<p>About this, as about other important affairs, the two great -men disagreed so often and so long, that the people thought -the city would be governed better if one of the leaders was -ostracised.</p> - -<p>So they assembled in the market-place, where each was -given an oyster-shell on which to write the name of the man -he wished to be banished from Athens.</p> - -<p>As the citizens were busy writing on their shells, a rough -country fellow who could not write came up to Aristides -and, handing him his shell, asked him to put down the name -of Aristides. The countryman did not know that he was -speaking to Aristides himself.</p> - -<p>‘Has Aristides done you an injury?’ asked the Athenian, -as he took the shell.</p> - -<p>‘None at all,’ answered the fellow, ‘neither know I the -man, but I am tired of everywhere hearing him called the -Just.’ Aristides did not answer the ignorant countryman, -but he quietly wrote his own name upon the shell and handed -it back to its owner.</p> - -<p>The necessary number of votes being recorded against -him he was ostracised. As he left the city he lifted up his -hands to heaven and prayed that the Athenians ‘might -never have any occasion which should constrain them to -remember Aristides.’ And this he did although it was a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</span> -bitter thing to him to leave the city that he loved so well. -In his absence he knew that Themistocles would be able to -carry out his plans unopposed, and this added to his pain.</p> - -<p>But Themistocles was wiser than Aristides when he urged -the Athenians to increase their fleet. For although the great -king Darius was dead, Xerxes his son was preparing to -invade Greece as his father had hoped to do. And without -a large and well-equipped fleet, the Athenians would have -been unable to meet the Persians at sea.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">145</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE DREAM OF XERXES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Xerxes,</span> the new ruler of Persia, looked every inch a king. -He was tall and handsome, standing head and shoulders -above the great warriors he led to battle. But although he -looked a king among men, in character he was most unkingly, -for he was both weak and foolish. It is true that he was -sometimes good-natured, but it was not wise for his people -to trust his temper, for he was often seized by sudden fits -of rage, when he would do deeds of terrible cruelty.</p> - -<p>In 483 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Xerxes put down a revolt in Egypt. Then -his captain and kinsman, Mardonius, begged the king to go -to Greece to avenge the Persian defeat at Marathon.</p> - -<p>‘O king,’ said Mardonius, ‘it is not seemly that the -Athenians, who have done much wrong to the Persians, -should not suffer for their doings.... And now, will any -one dare to face thee, O king, with thy great army from Asia -and all thy ships? Sure I am that the Greeks are not so -desperate. But if I am wrong and in their rash folly they -come out to battle, they will find that of all men we are the -bravest.’</p> - -<p>To tempt Xerxes yet farther to do as he wished, -Mardonius told him how fair a country Europe was, how -rich in fruit and trees. ‘Such a country,’ said the subtle -flatterer, ‘should belong to none save to thee, O king.’ -Mardonius hoped that if Greece was made a province of -Persia, he himself would become her ruler.</p> - -<p>But while Mardonius urged one thing, Artabanus the -king’s uncle urged another.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">146</span></p> - -<p>‘Thou, O king,’ said Artabanus, ‘art going against men ... who -are said to be most brave and strong both by sea -and land. And it is right I should say why we ought to fear -them. Thou sayest that thou wilt make a bridge over the -Hellespont and carry thine army through Europe against -Hellas: and so we may be beaten either by land or by sea -or by both; for the men are said to be strong, and it would -seem that they are, if by themselves alone the Athenians -destroyed the great host that landed at Marathon.’</p> - -<p>Now Xerxes was, as I told you, a timid king. So as he -listened now to one, now to another of his counsellors, he did -not know what to do. First he thought that he would go -to Greece, then he thought that he would not go. One night, -while he still hesitated, the king had a strange dream. In -his dream a man fair and tall stood over him, who said, -‘Dost thou repent, O Persian, from leading an army against -Hellas, when thou hast charged thy people to gather their -hosts together? Thou doest not well in thy change of -counsel, neither is there any one who will forgive thee. Go -thou on the road in which thou didst purpose to walk on the -day that is past.’</p> - -<p>When Xerxes awoke he tried to thrust away the memory -of his dream, for he now wished to follow the advice of -Artabanus and stay at home.</p> - -<p>But the next night, as he slept, he saw the same fair, tall -man, who chided him for putting aside his words ‘as though -they had never been spoken.’ ‘But be thou sure,’ he said, -‘that if thou set not out forthwith, as thou hast become great -and mighty in a little while, so in a little while shalt thou be -made low.’</p> - -<p>The king awoke from this second dream in sudden fear, -and springing from his bed, he bade his servants bring -Artabanus to him without delay.</p> - -<p>When his uncle stood before him, Xerxes told his vision -in feverish haste.</p> - -<p>‘Now if it be a god who sends it,’ said the king, ‘and if it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">147</span> -must be that an army go against Hellas, then the same vision -will come to thee.’</p> - -<p>The foolish king then begged Artabanus to put on his -clothes, to sit upon his throne, and afterwards to lie down -upon his bed.</p> - -<p>At first Artabanus refused to do as the king wished. For -he said, ‘If the vision must come, it ought to come to me no -more if I put on thy dress than if I wear my own, and if I -rest on thy couch than if I sleep on my own. For that which -comes to thee in thy sleep, whatever it be, is surely not so -silly as to think on seeing me that it looks upon thee, judging -by thy vesture.’</p> - -<p>But at length Artabanus was persuaded to do as the king -wished, and lo! when he had lain down on the royal couch, -‘the dream of Xerxes came and stood over him, saying, -“Neither now nor hereafter shalt thou go unscathed, if -thou seekest to turn aside that which must be.”’ Then the -dream appeared as though it were about to sear out his eyes -with hot irons.</p> - -<p>Artabanus awoke in great fear, and leaping from the couch -he told Xerxes what he had seen and heard. From that -night Artabanus was as ready as Mardonius to urge the king -to invade Greece.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">148</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">XERXES ORDERS THE HELLESPONT TO BE SCOURGED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the autumn of 481 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Xerxes led his vast hosts to Sardis. -His warriors were of many different races, and each was clad -in the dress of the country from which he came. Each, -too, was armed with his own weapon, and each talked his -own language. So you can picture to yourself with what a -strange army Xerxes set out to conquer Greece.</p> - -<p>From Sardis he sent heralds, with an interpreter, into -Greece, to demand from the people earth and water, the signs -of their subjection to the great king of Persia.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was so angry with the interpreter, who was -a barbarian, for daring to utter the demands of Xerxes in the -Greek language, that he ordered him to be put to death.</p> - -<p>Another messenger was then sent by Xerxes, and he -brought with him gold to bribe the Athenians to join the -Persians. Him also Themistocles punished.</p> - -<p>Now that danger was near, the Athenians recalled -Aristides from exile. They were afraid lest he should join -the Persians, for they knew that if he did so, many of his -friends would go over to the enemy with him. But it was a -needless fear, and the citizens might well have trusted the -exile not to betray his country. Even before he knew that -his banishment was over, Aristides had begun to stir up the -Greeks that were with him to fight against the Persians.</p> - -<p>Themistocles, too, was using all his influence to persuade -the different States to lay aside the quarrels they had with -one another and to fight together against the force that was -coming to invade their land.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">149</span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile Xerxes, to avoid sailing across the Hellespont -with his vast army, ordered a bridge to be built across it. -But soon after the bridge was finished, a violent storm -dashed it into fragments.</p> - -<p>When Xerxes heard of the disaster, his cruel and childish -temper was roused. He ordered the engineers who had -planned the bridge to be beheaded, and that was a cruel act. -He also commanded that the Hellespont should be scourged -with three hundred stripes and that a pair of fetters should -be cast into the sea, and these were foolish acts. ‘He sent -branders, too, as some say, to brand the Hellespont; and he -charged them to rebuke the water and cry unto it, “O bitter -water, thus doth the king punish thee, because without wrong -from him thou hast done him harm.”’</p> - -<p>Before long a new bridge was built, with hedges planted -on either side, so that the horses as they passed across might -not be frightened by seeing the water.</p> - -<p>First of the great host came a thousand gallant Persian -troops, followed by a thousand spearmen. The points of -their lances were turned downward; on the handles, which -were held aloft, shone golden pomegranates.</p> - -<p>Ten sacred horses, with splendid trappings, stepped -behind the spearmen, while after the horses came a chariot, -dedicated to Zeus, and drawn by eight white horses. No -driver was allowed to mount the sacred chariot, he might -only walk behind, holding the reins in his hands.</p> - -<p>Xerxes himself was in another chariot, surrounded by a -thousand guards, bearing spears, upon which glistened -apples of gold. Ten thousand of the king’s own bodyguard -were named the Immortals, for, if one of their number was -slain or if one died, his place was at once filled, so that -the number of the Immortals might never become less.</p> - -<p>As I told you, the Persian army was made up of many -different tribes.</p> - -<p>‘Æthiopians from beyond Egypt were there, clad in -leopard skins, and carrying bows made of the central rib of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">150</span> -the palm leaf, while their arrows were reeds tipped with -sharp fragments of stone. They carried as well spears, -pointed with gazelles’ horns or knotted clubs. Half their -body they painted white and half red before going into -battle.’ Some had no arms but only a lasso and a long -knife; others bore staves that had had their points hardened -in the fire.</p> - -<p>From Caucasus came wild tribes that had no armour to -protect their bodies, and only wooden hats to guard their -heads.</p> - -<p>Xerxes’s army was indeed vast, but with so many half-clad -and but poorly armed barbarians in his ranks, he -would, had he been wise, have feared to face the small but -well-armed and well-trained forces of the Greeks.</p> - -<p>On the shore of the Hellespont a throne of white stone -or marble was placed, and here Xerxes took his seat to -watch his army cross the bridge which led from Asia into -Europe.</p> - -<p>But before the vast host began to move ‘Xerxes poured -wine from a golden cup into the sea and prayed to the Sun -that no harm might happen to him, which might prevent -him from conquering all Europe. Then he threw the cup -into the Hellespont with a golden goblet and a Persian -dagger.’</p> - -<p>It is said that the king called himself a happy man as he -watched the countless numbers of his troops crossing the -bridge. But soon after Artabanus was amazed to see him -burst into tears.</p> - -<p>‘O king,’ he said, ‘thou doest strange things; even now -thou didst call thyself happy and yet thou weepest.’</p> - -<p>‘Thought came upon me and sorrow for the shortness of -the life of man,’ answered Xerxes, ‘because after a hundred -years, of all this great host not one shall remain alive.’</p> - -<p>When the army had crossed the bridge, it marched on -toward the plain of Thessaly, while the fleet, sailing round the -south-east point of the same country, anchored near the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">151</span> -promontory of Magnesia. Here it was as near to the army -as it was possible for it to be. Not long after the fleet had -anchored, a sudden storm arose, and for three days did much -damage to the ships.</p> - -<p>The Greeks meanwhile had been preparing to fight the -invaders. They had sent spies to Sardis to find out, not -only the numbers of the Persian host, but its mettle.</p> - -<p>As it chanced, the spies were captured and were on the -point of being put to death, when Xerxes ordered them to be -brought before him.</p> - -<p>When they stood in his presence, he demanded why they -had ventured into the camp of the enemy. On hearing the -reason he bade an officer show them the strength of his army -and then send them back unharmed to their own country, -‘For,’ said the king, ‘if the spies had been killed, the Greeks -could not have heard beforehand of all my great might, yet it -would do them but little hurt to slay three men. But now -will I have no trouble by marching against them, when the -spies have already told of my mighty army.’</p> - -<p>So confident was the king that he would conquer the -enemy without difficulty, that when vessels filled with corn -sailed past his fleet on the way to Athens, he would not allow -any of his ships to pursue them.</p> - -<p>‘Whither are they sailing?’ asked Xerxes when the corn -ships were pointed out to him.</p> - -<p>‘To thy enemies, O king, laden with corn,’ answered his -anxious councillors.</p> - -<p>‘Why, we are going thither also,’ said the king. ‘What -harm do they do by taking corn for me?’</p> - -<p>Now that the Persians were actually at hand the Spartans -and Athenians summoned the Greek states to a council of -war to be held at the Isthmus of Corinth. But some of the -states were afraid, and instead of attending the council they -sent earth and water to Xerxes.</p> - -<p>Thessaly, in the north, would be the first to suffer from -the invading army. So a Greek force was sent to the Pass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">152</span> -of Tempe, between Mount Olympus and Mount Ossa, to try -to stop the advance of the Persians.</p> - -<p>But there were other ways by which the enemy could -slip past the Greeks, so after a time they determined to withdraw -from Thessaly. The northern people, being thus left -defenceless, hastened to submit to Xerxes while there was -still time.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">153</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">‘THE BRAVEST MEN OF ALL HELLAS’</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Through</span> the Pass of Thermopylae lay the entrance from the -north to the south of Greece. It was this pass that the -Greeks determined to hold against the Persians when they -withdrew from the Pass of Tempe.</p> - -<p>The Pass of Thermopylae was about a mile long and the -narrow road ran between the mountains and the sea. At each -end of the pass the mountains were sheer cliffs, descending -so close to the sea that the only pathway was a mere strip -of sand.</p> - -<p>To enter the pass, at either end, it was necessary to go -through a narrow entrance called Pylae or the Gates. In the -road between the Pylae or Gates there were hot springs. -The Greek word for hot is thermos, and that is how the -pass came to be named Thermopylae or Hot-Gates.</p> - -<p>At the narrowest part of the pass stood an old broken-down -wall, and this wall was repaired by the order of -Leonidas, King of Sparta, that it might form a defence -against the enemy.</p> - -<p>A short distance from the mainland lay the island of -Euboea, the strait between being at one place only two and -a half miles in breadth. Here the Greek fleet took up its -position under the command of the Spartan Eurybiades, -Themistocles being second in command. Themistocles -would have held the chief command had not some of the -States refused to serve under an Athenian admiral.</p> - -<p>The land army was led by Leonidas, one of the kings of -Sparta. But because this was now the month of June<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">154</span> -480 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the time when the Olympic games were held, many -of the Spartans did not march with Leonidas to Thermopylae. -For although the country was in danger, the games, being -also religious rites, must be held as usual, and numbers of -brave soldiers stayed at home to take part in the festival.</p> - -<p>When Leonidas set out on his march to defend the -entrance to the south of Greece, he had with him only three -hundred Spartans. On the way to Thermopylae he was -joined by troops from other States, so that when he reached -the pass he was at the head of seven thousand men.</p> - -<p>Now there was only one narrow hill track by which the -enemy could reach the rear of the Spartans, and strangers to -the country were little likely to find it. Yet Leonidas bade -the Phocians, who lived in the district, guard well this narrow -footpath. He would leave nothing to chance.</p> - -<p>When Xerxes with his great army reached Thermopylae, -he was told that it was in the hands of a small band of -Spartans, under king Leonidas. The tidings did not disturb -the Persian monarch, he was sure that the Spartans -would soon leave their post, when they saw his great army.</p> - -<p>But the Spartans did not retreat, although they could -see plainly the vast hordes that had come against them.</p> - -<p>By and by Xerxes grew impatient and sent a horseman to -reconnoitre. The horseman could not see the Spartan camp, -for it was hidden by the old wall that had been repaired, but -he could see the men themselves without the wall. Their arms -were piled up against it in stacks, as though no enemy was -near. Some of the soldiers were wrestling with each other, -others were combing their hair, as if they were getting ready -for a festival rather than for a battle.</p> - -<p>The Persian was astonished at what he saw. As the -Spartans took no notice of him, he stayed to count their -number, and then rode quietly back to tell Xerxes all that -he had seen.</p> - -<p>Xerxes, too, was amazed. Why should soldiers trouble -to comb their hair before fighting? Why should they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">155</span> -wrestle with one another as though no danger lay before -them? He thought that they were doing ‘childish and silly -things,’ for he did not understand that this was the Spartans’ -way of getting ready either to die or to slay their enemies.</p> - -<p>In the Persian camp was an exiled King of Sparta, named -Demaratus. Xerxes sent for him to ask why his countrymen -wasted their time, wrestling and combing their long curls.</p> - -<p>‘These men,’ answered Demaratus, ‘are here to fight for -the pass; and when they have to face a mortal danger, their -custom is to comb and deck out their hair. Be sure then, -that if thou canst conquer these and all the rest who remain -behind in Sparta, there is no other nation which shall dare -to raise a hand against thee, for now art thou face to face with -the bravest men of all Hellas.’</p> - -<p>But Xerxes laughed at the thought of a small band of -men like the Spartans daring to fight against his great army. -He dismissed Demaratus and sent to demand that the Spartans -should give up their arms. But the only answer that -Leonidas sent back was to bid the king ‘to come and take -them.’ It was plain that the Spartans did not fear the -enemy. When one of them was told that the Persian host -was so numerous that ‘the flight of their arrows would -darken the light of the sun,’ he answered carelessly, ‘So -much the better, we shall fight in the shade.’</p> - -<p>For four days Xerxes waited, expecting the Spartans to -flee, but on the fifth day they were still there, wrestling and -combing their hair as before.</p> - -<p>Then the king sent a band of soldiers to the enemy’s -camp, bidding it take these bold Spartans alive and bring -them bound into his presence.</p> - -<p>But the Persians could not push their way through the -narrow gates which were guarded by the enemy. They were -not only kept at bay, they were thrust back again and again, -and many of their number were slain by the long spears of -the Spartans.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">156</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Xerxes</span> looked on while his soldiers fought at the entrance -to the pass. And they did their best, for they were unwilling -that their king should see them beaten back by men -who had spent their days in games or in bedecking their hair. -But they could not stand against the fierce attacks of the -Spartans, and at length, when many of their number had been -slain, they withdrew.</p> - -<p>The king then ordered his own chosen bodyguard, the -ten thousand famous Immortals, to advance against the -gallant defenders of the pass.</p> - -<p>Even at the approach of these renowned warriors, the -Spartans did not waver. They pretended to flee, only to -turn and slay the barbarians who had followed them into -the pass. At length after a furious conflict, the Immortals -were forced to give way and return to their camp.</p> - -<p>Three times as he watched his Immortals, Xerxes sprang -from his throne, thinking that all was lost. But the next -day he sent them against the foe once more, for now he -believed that the Spartans would be too weary to fight.</p> - -<p>But Leonidas was careful of the little band he commanded. -It was easy to hold the pass with only a small -number of men. As each company grew tired, the king -ordered it to withdraw and sent a fresh one to take its place. -Soon the entrance to the pass was choked with the dead -bodies of the barbarians.</p> - -<p>Some of the most valiant of Xerxes’ warriors were next -sent against the enemy. But they were cowed by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">157</span> -bravery of the Spartans, and as they saw their comrades -falling around them, they turned to flee. Then their officers -drove them back with lashes.</p> - -<p>For two days, the terrible slaughter never ceased, and -Xerxes was almost ready to leave the pass to its brave -defenders, so hopeless seemed the task of taking it.</p> - -<p>But that night, a Greek named Ephialtes came to the -great king, and for a large sum of money, he offered to show -the Persians a path which led over the hill down to the pass -of Thermopylae. The path was the tiny track that was -guarded by the Phocians.</p> - -<p>The offer of the traitor was at once accepted, and at midnight -Xerxes sent his officer Hydarmes, at the head of his -Immortals, to follow Ephialtes.</p> - -<p>‘All night long they followed the path with the mountains -on the right and on the left. The day was dawning when -they reached the peak of the mountain, and there the -thousand Phocians were keeping watch and guarding the -pathway. While the Persians were climbing the hill, the -Phocians knew not of their coming, for the whole hill was -covered with oak trees, but they knew what had happened -when the Persians reached the summit. Not a breath of -wind was stirring, and they heard the trampling of their -feet as they trod on the fallen oak leaves.’</p> - -<p>No sooner had they heard than the arrows of the -Immortals were pouring in upon them. They fell back, -leaving the pathway free, while they hastily put on their -armour and prepared to fight to the death. They did not -dream that the Immortals had no wish to fight with them. -But so it was, for the Persians took no more notice of them, -but finding the hill path free, they sped downward to the pass -to take the Spartans in the rear. The Phocians were left -alone on the heights almost before they were aware.</p> - -<p>Leonidas had heard of the treachery of Ephialtes soon -after the traitor left the Persian king. He knew that to try -to hold the pass now that he would be attacked in the rear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">158</span> -was certain death. Yet the brave king did not hesitate, for -his orders had been to hold the pass at all costs.</p> - -<p>Nor did he waver as he remembered the ominous words -of the oracle, ‘Sparta must be overthrown or one of her -kings must perish.’ It seemed that he was the king who was -doomed to die, but what of that if his country was saved?</p> - -<p>He resolved that to Sparta alone should belong the glory -of the defence of Thermopylae. So while there was still -time, he sent away all his allies, keeping with him only his -three hundred Spartans, seven hundred Thespians who -refused to leave him, and four hundred Boeotians, lest they -should join the enemy.</p> - -<p>Then ‘when the sun arose, Xerxes poured out wine to -the gods and the barbarians arose for the onset, and the -men of Leonidas knew now that they must die.’ But they -would die fighting, and before they were attacked in the rear -they would do great deeds.</p> - -<p>Fierce and desperate was their defence, and before the -fury of their blows the barbarians fell in heaps. Once again, -the Persian officers, armed with whips, had to drive their -men forward to face the small but undaunted band.</p> - -<p>In the confusion many of the great host of Xerxes were -pushed into the sea, while many more were trampled to -death by their comrades.</p> - -<p>So furious was the struggle, that at length the spears of -the Spartans were broken in their hands. In a moment, -they had seized their swords and hundreds of the Persians -fell before their terrible thrusts.</p> - -<p>But now the worst that could befall the Spartans -happened. Leonidas, their brave king Leonidas, was slain -where he fought in the forefront of the battle. A terrible -struggle at once began for the body of the king.</p> - -<p>Four times the Spartans drove back the Persians, and -then with one tremendous effort they carried away the -body of their king.</p> - -<p>It was at this moment that the Immortals, led by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">159</span> -traitor, Ephialtes, reached the pass. The Spartans hastily -withdrew behind the wall, which had been repaired by the -order of their king. Here, on a hillock, ‘they defended themselves -to the last, such as had swords using them, and the -others resisting with their hands and teeth; till the barbarians, -who had in part pulled down the wall and attacked -them in front, in part had gone round and now encircled them -upon every side, overwhelmed and buried the remnant which -was left, beneath showers of missile weapons.’</p> - -<p>As you read the story of the brave defence of Thermopylae, -you do not wonder that Leonidas and his three hundred -Spartans have won for themselves immortal fame.</p> - -<p>On the hillock where the little band took their last stand, -a stone lion was placed in honour of king Leonidas, while in -the pass itself a pillar was erected on which were written these -<span class="locked">words:—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentsq">‘Go, tell the Spartans, thou that passest by,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That here obedient to their laws we lie.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>When the battle was over, Xerxes ordered his men to -search for the body of Leonidas. When it was found he -ordered the head to be cut off and the body to be hung upon -a cross.</p> - -<p>It was the custom of the Persians to honour the bodies of -those who had fallen fighting bravely against them. This -unusual and cruel treatment was but a proof of the fear the -brave Spartan had inspired in the heart of Xerxes. Nor -could the king forget that he had been on the point of leaving -the pass in the hands of its brave defenders.</p> - -<p>Demaratus could not look at the slaughter of his countrymen -unmoved. He had seemed to be a friend of the great -king, yet now he longed to warn the Spartans who had -stayed at home that the Persians were ready to march -against them.</p> - -<p>But how could he send a message unknown to the -Persians. He soon thought of a strange and less cruel way<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">160</span> -than had Histiaeus, who, you remember, branded his secret -on the head of his slave.</p> - -<p>The exiled king took a writing tablet and scraped away -the wax on which letters were usually engraved. On the -wood beneath he scratched the message he wished to send. -He then poured melted wax on the top of what he had -written, and the tablet looked as any other tablet looked.</p> - -<p>When it reached Sparta, the peopled studied it with -amazement. There was a tablet, but where was the -message? They turned it this way and that, they peered -at it now on one side, now on another—nothing was to -be seen.</p> - -<p>Then Gorgo, whom you heard of last as a little maiden -of eight years old, gave the people advice as wise as she had -given to her royal father long before. She was grown up -since those days and had been married to brave king -Leonidas.</p> - -<p>‘Scrape off the wax,’ she said to the people, ‘and see if -the message lies on the wood beneath.’</p> - -<p>And when this was done, there stood the warning words -of Demaratus, so that all might read.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">161</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF ARTEMISIUM</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">While</span> Leonidas was fighting so bravely on land, -Themistocles was with the fleet at Artemisium. If the -Persians passed this point and entered the Malian Gulf, they -would be able to land troops behind Leonidas and secure the -pass of Thermopylae without difficulty.</p> - -<p>But before the Persian fleet reached Artemisium, a -sudden storm arose and dashed some of the ships upon the -rocks, some against each other. For three days the tempest -raged, and when at length the sea grew calm, four hundred -ships had been destroyed.</p> - -<p>In spite of this disaster, the Persian fleet was still large -enough to alarm the Greeks. When they saw it sailing off -the north of the island of Euboea, Eurybiades, the Greek -admiral, wished to sail away.</p> - -<p>But the inhabitants of the island went to Themistocles -to beg him not to let the fleet desert them. So fearful were -they, that they offered him thirty talents (about £5800) if -he would use his influence to persuade the other admirals -to stay and protect their island.</p> - -<p>Themistocles readily took the money, and sent eight -talents (about £1552) to Eurybiades and his colleagues to -bribe them to remain at Euboea.</p> - -<p>The next night another storm arose, and again many of -the Persian ships were scattered or dashed to pieces on the -rocks. But when the wind fell the ships were repaired and -the two fleets met in battle.</p> - -<p>The struggle was fierce and long, but though the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">162</span> -Persians lost a greater number of ships than did the -Greeks, yet the fleet under Eurybiades was so heavily -damaged that even Themistocles saw that safety lay in -retreat. At the same time tidings reached him of the -defeat of Thermopylae, and he knew that Xerxes would soon -be marching to the south. The fleet must hasten home to -protect her own coasts.</p> - -<p>So the Greek fleet set sail down the long Euboean strait -and did not stop until it reached the island of Salamis. -But as they sailed, Themistocles bade the captains of the -Athenian fleets send some of their ships to the rocks where -the Persians would search for water.</p> - -<p>On these rocks Themistocles ordered to be cut in large -letters these words, ‘Ye do wrong, O Ionians, by going against -your fathers and bringing Hellas into slavery. If ye can, -take our side; if ye cannot, then fight for neither. But -if this also is impossible, at least in the battle be slack and -lazy, remembering that ye are sprung from us and that we -are fighting in a quarrel which ye began.’</p> - -<p>By these words Themistocles hoped to win the Ionians -to his side; or, if that might not be, he hoped at least to make -Xerxes so suspicious of them that he would be afraid to let -them take part in the battles which had yet to be fought.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">163</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THEMISTOCLES URGES EURYBIADES TO STAY AT -SALAMIS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">After</span> Xerxes had secured the pass of Thermopylae, a march -of six days would bring him to Athens. There was no army -in his way, for the Spartans and other tribes in Peloponnesus -were now fortifying the Isthmus of Corinth, so as to protect -their cities from the foe.</p> - -<p>If the Athenians wished to save themselves they would -have to desert their city and seek refuge elsewhere, for -it was impossible to hold Athens against the great army that -was marching towards her. Yet even to save their lives how -hard it was to leave their homes, their temples, their gods!</p> - -<p>The oracle at Delphi was consulted, and told them that -‘when all was lost a wooden wall should still shelter the -Athenians.’ Some there were who believed that the oracle -meant that if the Acropolis were fortified with timber it -would not be taken by the Persians, and these shut themselves -up in the citadel and refused to leave the city.</p> - -<p>But Themistocles knew that the only way to save the -people was to get them away from Athens, and he used all his -eloquence to make them willing to go. When it seemed that -he had failed, he tried another way—he began to work upon -their superstitious fears. He told them that Athene, their -own goddess, had already deserted the city, and taking with -her her pet snake had gone to the sea. He assured them -that the ‘walls of wood,’ of which the oracle had spoken, -were the good ships that were at Salamis, waiting to -defeat the Persians and put their fleet to flight.</p> - -<p>At length his words prevailed, and the old men, women,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">164</span> -and children were sent to the island of Salamis, while the -fighting men joined the fleet.</p> - -<p>In the confusion, many faithful animals were forgotten. -These ran along the shore, while the ships carrying the -fugitives sailed away. One faithful dog leaped into the water -and followed his master’s ship until it reached Salamis. But -when he had dragged himself out of the water the poor creature -was so exhausted that he lay down on the shore and died.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Xerxes was marching toward Athens. On -the way he ordered a large company to break off to the west -to seize Delphi and the sanctuary of the oracle, in which, as -the king knew, vast treasures were kept. No Greek would -have dared to rob the sacred temple.</p> - -<p>When the Delphians heard that the Persians were -approaching, they fled to Parnassus, leaving only sixty men -and the priest to defend the sanctuary. They did not think -that the treasures would be stolen, for the gods would -protect their own.</p> - -<p>And as soon as the barbarians were close to the city, -strange things are said to have taken place. The sacred -arms, which none might touch, were mysteriously carried out -and placed in front of the temple. The sky was ablaze with -brilliant flashes of lightning, while two great crags were -wrenched from the heights of Mount Parnassus and fell with -a loud crash upon the enemy. At the same time, from the -temple of Athene a shout as of a mighty warrior was heard.</p> - -<p>The barbarians were stricken with terror at these strange -sights and sounds, and they fled, pursued, so they declared, -by two Greeks, each taller and more fearful than any mortal -they had ever seen.</p> - -<p>Xerxes had now reached Athens, to find the city deserted, -save for the few who had taken refuge in the citadel. These -defended themselves bravely, and as it was difficult to scale -the height on which the Acropolis stood, they were able for -a time to keep the enemy at bay.</p> - -<p>But at length the wooden defences, in which the people<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">165</span> -had put their trust, were set on fire by the burning brands of -the enemy. At the same time a band of Persian soldiers -discovered a secret path on the north side of the citadel. -Although it was steep, they at once began to climb, and -before long they reached the summit and entered the citadel. -The defenders were slain; the temples were plundered and -burned.</p> - -<p>As the Greek fleet lay in the narrow strait between -Salamis and the Attic coast, the Athenians saw smoke -and flames rising from the burning city. They were filled -with grief as they gazed upon the destruction of their homes -and their temples, while their wrath burned hot against the -destroyers.</p> - -<p>Themistocles and the Athenians wished to stay where -they were to await the enemy. But the other admirals -were anxious to sail to the Isthmus of Corinth, where they -would be within reach of the Peloponnesian army.</p> - -<p>A council of war was called, at which Themistocles urged -that they should stay where they were to fight and to conquer -the Persian fleet. He reminded the other admirals that in -the narrow strait of Salamis the big and heavy ships of the -Persians would have no room to move and would be captured -without great difficulty. But no one agreed with the -Athenian general, and the council broke up, after having -agreed that the fleet should sail to the Isthmus of Corinth on -the following day.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was so sure that it was a mistake to move, -that he went alone to Eurybiades and earnestly begged him -not to withdraw. His gravity impressed the commander, -and he promised to recall the council to discuss the matter -once more.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the admirals again assembled than -Themistocles rose, without waiting until the council was -opened in the usual way, and again explained the urgent -reasons why the fleet should stay to fight at Salamis.</p> - -<p>The Corinthian admiral was angry already because the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">166</span> -council had been reopened; he was angrier still as he listened -to the words of Themistocles.</p> - -<p>At length he could keep silent no longer, and he interrupted -the orator, saying in a harsh voice, ‘Themistocles, -at the games they who start too soon are scourged.’</p> - -<p>‘True,’ answered the Athenian, ‘but they who loiter are -not crowned.’</p> - -<p>Even Eurybiades lost his temper as Themistocles urged -his wish more and more vehemently, and at length he raised -his staff as though he would strike the persistent orator.</p> - -<p>Themistocles looked calmly at the admiral and said -‘Strike if you will, but at least hear me.’ His self-control -pleased the Spartan commander. He let his arms drop -to his side and listened until Themistocles had ended his -speech.</p> - -<p>But although Eurybiades said nothing, an officer began to -taunt Themistocles, saying that he was the last man who -should urge them to stay at Salamis, for he had now no city -to defend, as Athens was in the hands of the barbarians.</p> - -<p>‘A base fellow art thou to use such a taunt,’ answered -Themistocles. ‘True it is that we have left our houses and our -walls, for we will not endure to be made slaves for such things. -But in these two hundred ships here ready to defend you all, -we still possess the fairest city in Greece.’</p> - -<p>Then turning to Eurybiades he said, ‘By remaining here, -thou wilt show thyself a brave man. By going away, thou -wilt destroy all Hellas, for with the war on land the Athenians -have nothing more to do. If thou wilt not stay, we will sail -away with our two hundred ships and build a city in the west, -where the Persians will not trouble us.’</p> - -<p>Then Eurybiades grew afraid, for he knew that without -the help of the Athenians the Greeks need not hope to -conquer the enemy, so he agreed to stay to fight at Salamis.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">167</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_L">CHAPTER L<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THEMISTOCLES TRICKS THE ADMIRALS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Eurybiades</span> had determined that the fleet should stay at -Salamis. But the other admirals were dissatisfied. When -great numbers of the Persian ships were sighted, and when at -the same times Xerxes was seen marching with his vast land -forces toward the shore, they were more than dissatisfied, -they were afraid.</p> - -<p>So they called a secret council at which they resolved to -retreat to Corinth, as they had wished to do from the first. -To settle the matter they bade the pilots get ready to sail.</p> - -<p>Themistocles soon heard what had been done, but he was -determined to thwart the plans of his adversaries. He -would force them to fight in the narrow strait of Salamis.</p> - -<p>So he sent a message to the King of Persia, and pretending -to be his friend, he warned him that the Greek fleet had -determined to escape. ‘If you wish to win a great victory, -O king,’ ran the message, ‘seize each end of the strait before -the Greek fleet sails away.’</p> - -<p>Xerxes was overjoyed when he heard that the Greeks -wished to escape, for it seemed to him that they must be -cowards whom it would be easy to beat.</p> - -<p>So while Themistocles called together a last council of -war and did all that he could to delay the fleet, Xerxes was -busy securing the strait as Themistocles had bidden him do.</p> - -<p>The pilots were on board the Greek ships, impatient to -sail, the admirals were listening to Themistocles with but -scant courtesy, when the messenger the Athenian was so -anxiously awaiting arrived.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">168</span></p> - -<p>Themistocles hastened from the council to find that it -was Aristides, his old rival, who had brought the tidings, that -the Greek fleet was shut in by the Persian ships. Flight was -no longer possible.</p> - -<p>Then Themistocles told Aristides the trick he had played -on the Persian king, and how he had at the same time duped -the other admirals.</p> - -<p>Whether Aristides approved or disapproved of what his -old rival had done, he believed that it was well that the battle -should be fought in the straits, and he determined to support -Themistocles. He himself hastened to the council, to tell -the admirals that they were surrounded by the enemy.</p> - -<p>At first the admirals refused to believe such evil news. -They did not guess the truth, but they came so near to it that -they said Themistocles had probably started the rumour, so -as to delay their flight.</p> - -<p>While they still talked, some sailors who had deserted -from the Persians brought the same tale. The Greek -admirals were at last convinced that a battle was inevitable.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">169</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LI">CHAPTER LI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">On</span> the morning of the battle, Xerxes ascended a golden -throne which had been placed for him upon a rock that overlooked -the sea. Around him sat scribes ready to record the -events of the battle. That they would all be to the honour -of his fleet Xerxes never doubted.</p> - -<p>Themistocles saw with pleasure that the wind was rising, -making it difficult for the Persians to manage their unwieldy -vessels. As he watched their efforts he urged the Greeks to -attack them at once.</p> - -<p>The narrowness of the strait, as well as the force of the -wind, added to the confusion of the enemy and made the -number of its ships of little use. Yet the Persians fought -bravely, remembering that the eyes of the great king were -upon them.</p> - -<p>One of the ships was commanded by a queen named -Artemisia. She was fighting fiercely when her ship was -attacked by an Athenian vessel at close quarters.</p> - -<p>Artemisia tried to escape, but as her ship sailed away it -was followed by the enemy. Straight in her path lay one of -Xerxes’ vessels. The queen did not try to avoid it, but -pursuing her course struck the ship, so that her own countrymen -who were on board were sent to the bottom.</p> - -<p>When the Athenian captain saw what the queen had -done, he thought, as perhaps she meant him to do, that -she had deserted her own side and was now fighting for the -Greeks, so he turned back and followed her no more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">170</span></p> - -<p>From his golden throne, Xerxes too saw what Artemisia -had done, and he supposed it was a Greek vessel that she -had run down. In his delight he exclaimed, ‘My men are -become women, my women men.’ This was a hard thing to -say of his soldiers who were fighting gallantly for their king.</p> - -<p>Meantime the Persian ships were driven into the narrow -strait. Ship dashed against ship till the Persian dead -strewed the deep ‘like flowers.’ When evening fell, two -hundred Persian ships had been destroyed and the Greeks -had won the great sea-battle of Salamis. The glory of the -victory was due to Themistocles. There might indeed -have been no battle at Salamis had he not tricked both the -Persian king and the Greek admirals.</p> - -<p>The Athenian was proud of his success, and he now -determined by another crafty message to Xerxes to drive -him out of Greece.</p> - -<p>But first he sent for Aristides, and to test his wisdom he -told him that he thought they should sail to the Hellespont -to destroy the bridge by which Xerxes had crossed into -Europe and by which he could return to Asia.</p> - -<p>‘Rather than break down the bridge,’ answered Aristides, -‘we should build another, if by so doing we may hasten his -departure.’</p> - -<p>Now this was what Themistocles himself really wished—to -hasten the king’s retreat. So although he did not mean -to destroy the bridge, he sent once again to Xerxes, and this -is what he said: ‘O king, the Greeks are hastening to the -Hellespont to destroy the bridge by which alone thou canst -return to Asia. Hasten then to reach the bridge, while I -delay the Greek fleet, lest evil overtake thee.’</p> - -<p>Once more the king fell into the trap Themistocles had -prepared for him. For he set out in haste with the main -body of his army for the Hellespont, leaving Mardonius with -a large force to carry on the war as well as he could.</p> - -<div id="if_i_170" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_170.jpg" width="1808" height="2512" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">Ship dashed against ship, till the Persian dead strewed the deep -‘like flowers’</div></div> - -<p>The march to the Hellespont was a terrible one, for Xerxes -had himself laid waste the land when he advanced upon -Athens, and now there was neither food nor shelter for his -army. The soldiers who were starving ate plants, grass, the -bark of trees—anything to satisfy their hunger.</p> - -<p>In their weakness they were attacked by plague, and -hundreds perished long before the Hellespont was in sight. -Even when at length the gleam of water gladdened the -hearts of the soldiers, they were soon stricken again with -fear, for where was the bridge?</p> - -<p>The Greeks had not outstripped them, so this was not -their doing. A storm had destroyed the bridge. Weak -and hungry as they were, the soldiers had to rebuild it -before they could cross over to Asia, where food and shelter -awaited them.</p> - -<p>When the Greeks saw that the Persians were marching -to the Hellespont, they were eager to follow them. But -Themistocles persuaded them to go back to Athens to rebuild -the city.</p> - -<p>Then he sent yet another message to Xerxes, saying, -‘Themistocles, the leader of the Athenians and the best and -wisest of the Greeks, has out of goodwill to thee held back -the allies from chasing thy ships and breaking up the bridge -at the Hellespont. So go thy way in peace.’</p> - -<p>Although Themistocles sent these proud words to the -great king, he really believed it was wiser for the Greeks not -to pursue the retreating army. But he also wished to make -Xerxes his friend, so that if at any time he was ostracised by -the Athenians, he would find a welcome at the Persian court.</p> - -<p>Greece was full of rejoicing when she heard of the -victory of Salamis. The generals of the different states met -at Corinth to propose a reward for the bravest and wisest -among themselves.</p> - -<p>Each general wrote on a tablet the names of two whom -he believed to be worthy of a prize. They were not very -modest, these brave soldiers of Greece, for each general wrote -his own name first, though nearly all added beneath, the name -of Themistocles.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">172</span></p> - -<p>The Spartans gave their meed of honour to the great -Athenian, for a crown of olive was placed upon his head and -he was presented with the most magnificent chariot that -Sparta had ever produced.</p> - -<p>Æschylus, one of the great Greek poets, wrote a tragedy -on the fall of Xerxes, called <i>The Persians</i>, which was acted -in 472 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, eight years after the battle of Salamis. Sculptors -too wrought statues to commemorate the war, which were -placed in the temple of Athene.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">173</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LII">CHAPTER LII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF PLATAEA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Mardonius</span> stayed with his troops in Thessaly during the -winter months. But in the spring of 479 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he determined -to win Athens from the league which she had formed with -the other Greek states, or if he failed to do this, to drive the -citizens once again away from their city and occupy it -himself.</p> - -<p>So he sent an ambassador to the Athenians to offer, in the -name of Xerxes, not only to repair all the harm that the -Persians had done to Athens and to the country round about -the city, but to give them new lands and to treat them as -independent allies, if they would make a treaty with the -great king.</p> - -<p>The Spartans were afraid that the Athenians would -accept so generous an offer, and they knew that alone they -could not hope to conquer the large Persian army which -Mardonius commanded. So they sent to the Athenians to -beg them to be true to the league, promising that if they were -so, Spartan soldiers would be sent to help them against the -attacks of the enemy.</p> - -<p>But the Athenians did not need to be entreated to refuse -the offer of the great king, for they loved their city and their -liberty.</p> - -<p>‘Tell Mardonius,’ they said to the ambassador whom -the Persian general had sent, ‘so long as the sun moves in -his present course we will never come to terms with Xerxes.’</p> - -<p>After receiving this defiant message, Mardonius marched -with his army against Athens. The Spartans, in spite of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">174</span> -their promises, sent no troops to defend the city, and -the Athenians were forced once again to take refuge at -Salamis.</p> - -<p>Then they reproached the Spartans, and in bitter anger -they declared that if an army was not sent at once to Attica -to attack Mardonius, they would be forced to make an -alliance with the enemy.</p> - -<p>Again the Spartans grew alarmed for their own safety. -Without further delay they sent a force of five thousand -citizens, each attended by seven helots. Other troops soon -followed, and all were under the command of Pausanias, -who was a relation of Leonidas, the hero of Thermopylae.</p> - -<p>The Persians had reached the province of Boeotia and -were encamped on the plain of Plataea, while the Athenians -and the Spartans set up their camp on a hill above the -enemy.</p> - -<p>Masistius, the favourite and most famous officer of the -Persians, led his cavalry against the cavalry of the enemy and -soon a fierce conflict was raging. Only after their leader fell -wounded from his horse and was slain, were the Persians -repulsed. The armour of Masistius could not be pierced -by any weapon, but a spear which was thrust into his eye -caused his death. In vain the soldiers tried to recover the -body of their general, again and again they were driven -back.</p> - -<p>‘Then there was a great mourning throughout the army -of the Persians, for all lamented for Masistius, shaving -themselves and their horses, and their beasts of burden. -And there was a great cry through all the host, and the -sound of it went through all Boeotia, as for the death of one -who next to Mardonius was of most note among the Persians -and with the king.’</p> - -<p>As for the Greeks, after having driven the Persian -cavalry from the field, they ‘became much more bold and -cheerful, and putting the dead body of Masistius on a car, -they drew it along their ranks; and so wonderful was it for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">175</span> -its stature and its beauty, that the men left their places and -came forward to look upon Masistius.’</p> - -<p>Pausanias now determined to lead his troops down to the -plain. Here he encamped, opposite the Persians, with only -the little river Asopus between the two armies.</p> - -<p>The oracles had foretold that the side which began the -attack would be conquered; so day after day passed, neither -army daring to move.</p> - -<p>But although the Persians dared not attack the Greeks, -they did them all the harm that they could, for they filled -up the springs to which the enemy went for water, and cut -off several convoys with provisions.</p> - -<p>Pausanias was in despair when the water supply was -stopped, and he determined to withdraw and take up a -position nearer to Plataea, where both food and water would -be secure.</p> - -<p>Discipline had grown slack in the Greek camp, and the -retreat, which began at night, was carried out in a disorderly -manner.</p> - -<p>One company set off in haste, but did not halt where -Pausanias had arranged that it should. The Spartans -refused to move at all. One of their captains, ‘lifting a -piece of rock with both hands and flinging it at the feet of -Pausanias, cried, “Thus do I cast my vote against the counsel -of flying from the strangers.”’ Only when the retreat was -nearly ended did the Spartans tardily obey the order to -withdraw. This was how it happened that, when morning -dawned, the Persians found that the enemy had disappeared, -all but the Spartans, whose captain had delayed to follow -the orders of Pausanias.</p> - -<p>When Mardonius caught sight of the loiterers he ordered -his men to set out in pursuit of them, and before the Spartans -could get into position the Persians were upon them. But -Pausanias soon learned what was taking place in his rear, -and he hastened back with the troops that were with him -to aid the disobedient Spartans.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">176</span></p> - -<p>The Persians had thrust their shields into the ground to -form a rough barrier between them and the Spartans, while -they sent shower after shower of arrows upon the loiterers. -The Spartans soon tore down the breastwork of shields, -and with their swords in their hands advanced upon the -enemy.</p> - -<p>Mardonius did all he could to encourage his men, but -they had no armour to protect them from the blows of the -Spartans, and they were forced back toward the river, -throwing into confusion those of their own army who were -still advancing.</p> - -<p>In the thick of the battle Mardonius rode on a white -horse, surrounded by ten thousand chosen Persians. He -was easily known by his white charger, and many were the -spears that were aimed at him by the angry Spartans. At -length one smote him so that he fell dead to the ground. -‘Thus,’ says Herodotus, ‘Mardonius paid the recompence -for the murder of Leonidas.’</p> - -<p>No sooner was their leader slain than the Persians fled -in utter confusion, all but forty thousand who were led off -the field by one of the generals, and these marching north -reached the Hellespont and crossed over to Asia in safety.</p> - -<p>Those who fled from the field took refuge in their camp, -where the Spartans attacked them. But the barricades were -strong, and the camp was not taken until the Athenians had -returned and joined in the assault.</p> - -<p>As the Greeks swarmed into the camp they slaughtered -the enemy without mercy. So severe was the defeat of -Plataea that the Persians were utterly crushed.</p> - -<p>The spoil in the camp was enormous. Gold and silver -dishes were there in abundance, rich carpets too, and weapons -inlaid with precious stones. Horses, camels, mules were -captured in great numbers.</p> - -<p>It is told that the great king had left his own magnificent -war camp for Mardonius to use.</p> - -<p>When Pausanias saw it ‘all blazing with gold and silver<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">177</span> -and embroidered hangings, he commanded the cooks and -bakers to make ready for him a banquet, as they had been -used to do for Mardonius.</p> - -<p>When all was ready, he saw couches and tables of gold -and silver, all fairly spread and a banquet splendidly set -forth; and then, marvelling at this magnificence and glory, -he charged his own servants, by way of mockery, to prepare -a Spartan feast.</p> - -<p>So the meal was made ready, but it looked not much like -the other, and Pausanias laughed, and sending for the generals -of the Greeks, pointed to the two banquets, saying, ‘Men of -Hellas, I have brought you together that ye may see the -madness of the Medes, who faring thus sumptuously came to -rob us of our sorry food.’</p> - -<p>While the battle of Plataea was being fought, the Greek -fleet was lying at Delos, an island in the Ægean Sea. The -Persian fleet was near Samos, which is not far from the coast -of Africa, while close at hand, at Cape Mycale, the Persian -land forces were encamped.</p> - -<p>The Samians were afraid when they saw the Persian -army, and begged the Greeks to come to their aid. This -they readily agreed to do, and sailing to Cape Mycale -they landed and attacked and burned the Persian camp. -The victory would have been harder to win had not the -Ionian Greeks who were with the Persians deserted and -fought with those of their own race.</p> - -<p>Both the victory of Plataea and that of Mycale were said -to have been gained on the same day in August 479 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span></p> - -<p>Bands of Persians had still to be driven from some of -the islands of the Ægean and from some of the Greek cities -in Asia. But the victory of Mycale freed the Ionians from -the rule of the great king, ended the Persian war, and laid the -foundations of the Athenian Empire.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">178</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LIII">CHAPTER LIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE DELIAN LEAGUE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">For</span> at least forty years Sparta was the chief city in Greece, -and she was the head of the league which bound the cities -of Peloponnesus together. It was her brave king Leonidas -who had fallen gloriously at Thermopylae, it was her admirals -who had been the chief commanders at Salamis and at -Mycale. The decisive victory of Plataea had been won by -the Spartan Pausanias.</p> - -<p>But after the Persian war was ended, the power of Sparta -grew less and less, while that of Athens increased by leaps -and bounds, until it was she who held the first place among -all the cities of Greece.</p> - -<p>One reason for this was that Athens, owing to the foresight -of Themistocles, owned a well-equipped navy and -could therefore rule the islands of the Ægean which had -been wrested from the Persians.</p> - -<p>Sparta had no navy, nor had she any great statesman to -tell her that she must become a great sea-power if she -wished still to hold the chief place among the cities of Greece. -Sparta was content to drill her soldiers as she had been -taught to do by Lycurgus, and she looked with contempt -or with suspicion on what was new or unusual. It was only -after Athens had far surpassed her in glory and in empire -that her ambition was at length aroused, and she determined -to win fame for herself by destroying her rival. Of Sparta’s -efforts to conquer Greece you will read when I tell you about -the Peloponnesian wars.</p> - -<p>After the battle of Plataea, Sparta soon lost the command<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">179</span> -of the allied fleet, through the folly and treachery of -Pausanias.</p> - -<p>The admiral was sent to drive the Persians from some of -the Greek cities in the east. His success at Plataea had -made him haughty and proud, and he treated his officers -with contempt. He flogged his men for small offences or -made them stand with an anchor on their shoulders. If -food or water were scarce, he forbade them to help themselves -until his own Spartan troops had been fed.</p> - -<p>Aristides and another admiral named Cimon, who treated -their officers with courtesy and their men with kindness, -went to Pausanias to beg him to behave more justly. But -the Spartan would not listen to the remonstrances of the -Athenians. ‘I have no time to hear complaints,’ was his -sorry excuse.</p> - -<p>When Pausanias succeeded in taking Byzantium, which -we now know as Constantinople, his pride and ambition -increased, and he determined to play into the hands of the -Persian king.</p> - -<p>So he sent for some of the prisoners, and, setting them free, -he bade them carry letters to Xerxes their king. In these -letters he offered, as only a traitor could do, to subdue -Sparta and the other states of Greece, and to hold them -for the Persian monarch. He asked Xerxes to grant -him money to carry on the war, and as a reward for his -services he requested the hand of his daughter. Pausanias -hoped in this way to gain his great ambition and become -tyrant of all Greece.</p> - -<p>Xerxes was pleased with the Spartan’s letter, nor did he -stay to wonder if so disloyal a citizen would be a faithful -ally. He sent a letter to bid the traitor ‘work on night and -day to accomplish his purpose, without letting himself be -held back by lack of gold or silver, or want of troops, for all -should be at his command.’</p> - -<p>When Pausanias held the king’s letter in his hand, and -saw the king’s money at his disposal, he began to behave as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">180</span> -though he was already the son-in-law of the great king. He -clad himself as a Persian prince, he journeyed from place to -place in royal state, attended by Persian guards. The -Spartan simplicity in which he had been trained was forgotten, -and he lived in as great luxury as did his new friends.</p> - -<p>Rumours of the strange way in which Pausanias was -behaving soon reached Sparta. When it was found that the -rumours were true, Pausanias was ordered to come home, and -another commander, named Dorcis, was sent to take his place.</p> - -<p>But before Dorcis reached Byzantium, the fleet had refused -to obey Pausanias and had placed itself under Aristides, -the admiral of the Athenian ships.</p> - -<p>A league, called the Delian League, was then formed, to -enable Greece to carry on the war against Persia. It was -named the Delian League because its treasures were kept in -the temple of Apollo, on the sacred island of Delos.</p> - -<p>Athens became the head of the league, Aristides its -leader, and so greatly was he trusted that he was asked to -arrange the sum of money or the number of ships which each -city belonging to the league should provide.</p> - -<p>Most of the Greek cities in the Ægean islands joined the -Delian League, as well as those on the north and east coasts of -the Ægean Sea. Those who joined took solemn oaths to -be true to the demands of the league, and their oaths were -ratified by sinking masses of iron in the sea. Not until -these reappeared might the people be set free from the vows -which they had taken.</p> - -<p>Pausanias had now returned to Sparta, where he was -thrown into prison. But though there was abundant proof -of his foolish conduct there was none of his treachery, and he -was soon set free.</p> - -<p>The traitor continued to send letters to Xerxes by his -slaves, and those who carried them never returned, for -Pausanias feared lest they should betray him.</p> - -<p>One of his slaves noticed that those who carried letters -to the great king never came back. He made up his mind<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">181</span> -that when his turn came to go to Xerxes, he would find out -what was in the letter he carried before he delivered it.</p> - -<p>So when one day he was bidden to hasten with a letter -to the Persian king, he no sooner left the presence of his -master than he broke the seal, opened the letter, and found -among other things an order for his death. This was what -he expected, and he at once carried the letter to the ephors. -It contained proof of the traitor’s guilt.</p> - -<p>But, so it is told, the ephors wished to hear that Pausanias -was guilty from his own lips, so they laid a trap for him.</p> - -<p>The slave was sent to take refuge in a hut that stood -in a sacred grove. Pausanias soon heard of the strange -conduct of his slave, and, as the ephors had foreseen, he at -once hastened to the hut to demand why his servant had -not sped on his master’s errand.</p> - -<p>Two of the ephors were hidden behind the hut and could -hear all that Pausanias said to his slave.</p> - -<p>In his anger the admiral forgot to be prudent, and -exclaimed that he meant to subdue Greece and deliver -her into the hands of Xerxes. The ephors had heard what -they wished. They hastened home and at once ordered that -the traitor should be seized.</p> - -<p>But either Pausanias was warned or he was filled with -sudden foreboding, for he fled to the temple of Athene for -sanctuary. It was forbidden to drag a fugitive out the -temple, so the ephors ordered that the door should be built -up, that he might starve to death.</p> - -<p>His mother, in bitter anger because her son had wished -to betray his country, herself placed the first stone at the -door of the temple.</p> - -<p>When hunger had all but done its work, Pausanias was -carried out of the sacred place to breathe his last, lest the -temple should be polluted by the death of a traitor.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">182</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LIV">CHAPTER LIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THEMISTOCLES DECEIVES THE SPARTANS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">After</span> the battle of Plataea, the Athenians brought their -wives and children back to the city, which the Persians had -again left in ruins. Not only were the temples and the -houses burned, but of the city wall scarce a trace was to be -found.</p> - -<p>Themistocles encouraged the citizens to rebuild the city, -and this they did with good will. More beautiful temples, -better houses, soon sprang up under the eager hands of the -citizens.</p> - -<p>The wall they determined to make so strong and so high -that they would be able to defend their city against any -attack rather than be compelled again to forsake her.</p> - -<p>But Sparta was alarmed at her neighbour’s industry; -she was more than alarmed, she was suspicious and angry. -Athens was making herself too strong, the Spartans -murmured in ungenerous mood.</p> - -<p>The wall had risen but a little way from the ground -when the Spartans sent to ask the Athenians not to go on -with their work. The reason they gave was a selfish one, for -they said, ‘If the Persians return and take a strongly walled -town so near to Peloponnesus, our cities will not be safe.’ -They then promised to offer shelter to the Athenians, should -they again be forced to leave their city, but only on condition -that they would stop building a wall round Athens. -They even asked the Athenians to help them to destroy the -walls that already surrounded the other cities of Greece.</p> - -<p>The Athenians were in a dilemma. They were determined<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">183</span> -to finish the wall, yet they dared not anger the -Spartans, lest they attacked their city while the wall was still -unfinished.</p> - -<p>In their perplexity they turned to Themistocles, who had -before now saved them by craft when open defiance threatened -to ruin them.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was not long in solving the difficulty. He -said that he would go as an ambassador to Sparta to talk -over the matter. Other ambassadors were to follow him -only when the walls were nearly complete, and meanwhile -men, women and children, all must work day and night, so -that the wall might grow apace.</p> - -<p>When Themistocles reached Sparta, he at once said to -the council that he could do nothing until his fellow -ambassadors arrived, and he pretended that he expected -them every day.</p> - -<p>He refused to attend the council alone, and when the -Spartans grumbled, he assured them that the Athenians were -not going on with the wall. When they grew impatient he -amused them so well by his clever speeches that they forgot -for a little while to be angry with him.</p> - -<p>But when day after day passed and still the other -ambassadors did not come, the Spartans did not hide their -suspicion that they were being deceived. When a rumour -reached them that the Athenians had never ceased to build -the wall, which was now nearly complete, they were angry -indeed, and going to Themistocles they demanded that he -should tell them the truth.</p> - -<p>He still denied that the citizens had been building the -wall in his absence, but if they doubted his word, he bade -them send ambassadors to Athens, that they might see for -themselves whether he was deceiving them or not.</p> - -<p>So the Spartans sent ambassadors to Athens, and then -Themistocles bade his colleagues join him, for he knew -that now both he and they would be safe. The Spartan -ambassadors would be hostages for their lives.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">184</span></p> - -<p>The first thing the Spartans saw as they approached -Athens was a high, strong wall. Then they knew that they -had been deceived, and they sent a messenger to tell their -countrymen that Themistocles had played them false.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was no coward. He went into the council -and boldly told the Spartans that it was true he had -deceived them, so that the walls of Athens might be built -before they could interfere.</p> - -<p>Indignant as the Spartans were and ashamed of their -own folly in being deceived by the crafty Athenian, they -dared not harm the ambassadors lest their own messengers -should not return in safety.</p> - -<p>So they sent them away, and Themistocles and his fellows -returned in triumph to Athens.</p> - -<p>Soon after this the city wall was finished, and -Themistocles then urged the people to build another great -wall round the Piraeus. When this was done, Athens had -the largest and safest harbour in Greece.</p> - -<p>The other states now appointed her to be the head of the -allied fleet, and no one was more proud of this than -Themistocles. For it was he who had first persuaded the -Athenians to make themselves into a great sea-power.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">185</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LV">CHAPTER LV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THEMISTOCLES IS OSTRACISED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">For</span> many years Themistocles had been a favourite with the -Athenians. But soon after the walls of the city were complete -he began to grow less popular.</p> - -<p>Perhaps this was his own fault, for he tired the people by -boasting continually of the good he had done to the city. -It was known too that he did not hesitate to take bribes, and -the citizens were indignant that he should have grown rich -in this dishonourable way.</p> - -<p>One day, as he was talking in public with Aristides, he -said, ‘The chief excellence of a statesman is to be able -to prove and frustrate the designs of public enemies.’ -Aristides answered, ‘Another very excellent and necessary -quality in a statesman is to have clean hands.’ And those -who listened applauded Aristides the Just, for they knew -well that he had never soiled his hands with the gold of his -country’s foes.</p> - -<p>In 471 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the people determined to ostracise -Themistocles, so weary had they grown of the claims he -made upon their gratitude. At the time of Pausanias’ -death he was living at Argos, which city lies south of Corinth. -When the papers of the traitor were read it was found that -Themistocles had written to him. There was nothing in -his letters to show that he had meant to help Pausanias to -betray his country, yet he was accused of treason.</p> - -<p>When he heard of the charge that was brought against -him, he wrote to the council at Athens, ‘I, Themistocles, -who was born to command and not to serve others, could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">186</span> -not sell myself, and Greece with me, into servitude to the -enemy.’</p> - -<p>These proud words only angered the Athenians the more, -and the council sent men to arrest him. But Themistocles -did not wait to be captured. He fled from Greece to Epirus, -where he hoped that King Admetus, whom he had once -befriended, would shelter him from his foes.</p> - -<p>Admetus was not at home when the exile reached the -palace, so he threw himself upon the mercy of the queen.</p> - -<p>She bade him take her little son in his arms and go sit -by the hearth until her lord returned.</p> - -<p>Then, when the king arrived, Themistocles arose, and -begged Admetus to protect him, while the little prince -stretched out suppliant arms to his royal father.</p> - -<p>This was the most sacred way to proffer a request, and -according to the custom of his country the king was pleased -to do as Themistocles asked. He refused to give him up -to the Athenians, and sent him in safety to the Persian court, -where Artaxerxes now reigned.</p> - -<p>Themistocles begged one of the officers to take him to -Artaxerxes, saying that he was a Greek who had come to -see the king on important matters.</p> - -<p>‘If you will promise to prostrate yourself before the -monarch, as is the custom in my country, I will do as you -wish,’ answered the Persian.</p> - -<p>Some Greeks would have refused to prostrate themselves -before any king, but it was easy for Themistocles to conform -to the customs of the country in which he found himself.</p> - -<p>‘I that come hither,’ he said, ‘to increase the power and -glory of the king, will not only submit myself to his laws, -but will also cause many more to be worshippers and adorers -of the king.’</p> - -<p>‘Who shall we tell him you are?’ asked the officer, ‘for -your words signify you to be no ordinary person.’</p> - -<p>‘No man,’ replied Themistocles, ‘must be informed of -this before the king himself.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">187</span></p> - -<p>So at length the Athenian was brought into the presence -of Artaxerxes, and after having prostrated himself he stood -silent before the king.</p> - -<p>‘Who art thou?’ asked Artaxerxes.</p> - -<p>‘O king,’ answered the exile, ‘I am Themistocles the -Athenian, driven into banishment by the Greeks. I come -with a mind suited to my present calamities; prepared alike -for favours and for anger. If you save me you will save -your suppliant; if otherwise, you will destroy an enemy of -the Greeks.’</p> - -<p>Artaxerxes liked the courage the exile showed, but he -gave him no answer that day. At night, in his sleep, he was -heard to cry aloud for joy three times, ‘I have Themistocles -the Athenian.’</p> - -<p>In the morning he commanded his courtiers and captains -to assemble in the hall, while the stranger was brought before -him.</p> - -<p>As the Athenian passed close to the captains, one of them -whispered to him, ‘You subtle Greek serpent, the king’s -good genius hath brought thee hither.’</p> - -<p>Themistocles thought these were ominous words, but to -his surprise the king greeted him kindly.</p> - -<p>A reward had been offered to whoever should bring the -famous Athenian to the court of the great king. This reward -Artaxerxes now declared should be given to Themistocles -himself.</p> - -<p>The Greek besought the king to grant him a year in which -to learn the Persian language. He promised that when he -could speak without an interpreter he would tell Artaxerxes -the best way to subdue Greece.</p> - -<p>Artaxerxes not only granted his request, but showed -him great kindness. For he gave to him three cities, and -ordered the inhabitants to supply him with bread, meat, wine -and whatever else he might need for himself and his family.</p> - -<p>In Magnesia, one of these cities, the Athenian lived content -for many years. But at length Artaxerxes assembled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">188</span> -an army to invade Greece, and he sent for the Greek to come -to lead it into his own country.</p> - -<p>But whatever promises he had made to ensure his own -safety, Themistocles had never really meant to harm the -land he loved so well.</p> - -<p>So when the message of Artaxerxes reached him, the -Athenian invited his friends to a feast, and after bidding -them farewell he offered sacrifices to the gods. He then -took poison and soon after died.</p> - -<p>Artaxerxes respected the Athenian, because he had died -rather than betray his country, and he ordered his family to -be treated with kindness.</p> - -<p>Themistocles was buried without the walls of Magnesia, -and the Magnesians erected a statue to him in their market -place, because he had been the ‘Saviour of Greece.’</p> - -<p>In 464 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, three years after the death of Themistocles, -Aristides died. The Athenians, both rich and poor, mourned -for his loss, because his rare justice, his true patriotism, had -made him to be loved and honoured by all who knew him.</p> - -<div id="if_i_188" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_188.jpg" width="1814" height="2507" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">He stood silent before the king</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">189</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LVI">CHAPTER LVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE ELOQUENCE OF PERICLES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">After</span> the death of Aristides, Cimon became commander-in-chief -of the allied fleet.</p> - -<p>Cimon was beloved by the Athenians, for he showed them -great kindness. Every day he invited some of the poorer -citizens to supper. When he walked through the city he -ordered several well-dressed slaves to follow him. Then, if -he met a citizen clad in shabby or threadbare garments, he -would order one of his slaves to exchange clothes with him.</p> - -<p>The allied fleet gained many victories while Cimon was -at its head.</p> - -<p>In 470 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, he sailed to an island named Scyrus, in which -dwelt a race of pirates, who had for many years fallen upon -and captured the merchant vessels of Greece. The island of -Scyrus lay between Athens and Thrace.</p> - -<p>The Greek traders were pleased when Cimon banished the -pirates, as he was soon able to do. A number of Athenians -were sent to settle in Scyrus, which from that time belonged -to Attica.</p> - -<p>Now there was a legend which said that in this island -there was a grave where lay the bones of Theseus, one of the -old heroes of Hellas.</p> - -<p>It may be that Cimon ordered his men to search for the -spot where the hero was said to be buried; in any case a -grave was found in which lay the body of a giant warrior. -No one doubted that this was the body of Theseus, and, as -the oracle had commanded, the bones were brought to -Athens and placed in a temple which was henceforth called<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">190</span> -Theseum. The Athenians were loud in the praise of Cimon -because he had obeyed the commands of the oracle, and had -brought the bones of the hero to Attica.</p> - -<p>Four years later Cimon gained two great victories over -the Persians, by which those Greek cities which had been -left under the yoke of the great king were set free. They -then hastened to join the Delian League.</p> - -<p>Cimon was now at the height of his power, but his friendship -with Sparta, on which the Athenians had always looked -with dislike, soon led to his downfall.</p> - -<p>In 464 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> there was an earthquake in Peloponnesus. -Chasms yawned in the valleys, landslips changed the face of -the mountains. The loss of life in Sparta itself was terrible, -while both houses and temples were destroyed. The Helots, -who were always ready to revolt, did so now that their -masters were overwhelmed by this great calamity.</p> - -<p>Cimon begged the Athenians to forget their old grudge -against the Spartans and to send to her help, remembering -only how they had shared in the glory of the Persian war.</p> - -<p>‘Do not let Greece be lamed of one foot,’ he urged, -‘and Athens herself be left to draw without her yoke-fellow.’</p> - -<p>An Athenian, named Pericles, who was now one of the -chief citizens, did all he could to make the people refuse to -send help to Sparta, but Cimon’s entreaties were successful. -He was himself sent at the head of the Athenian troops to -help the Spartans to subdue the Helots.</p> - -<p>The rebels had taken refuge in a fortress, and Cimon tried -in vain to expel them from their stronghold.</p> - -<p>Always ready to suspect an Athenian, the Spartans -began to think that Cimon did not really wish to dislodge the -Helots. They accused him of treachery, and roughly bade -him return with his troops to Athens, as they no longer -wished for his help.</p> - -<p>During Cimon’s absence, Pericles and a statesman named -Ephialtes had made several changes in the ancient courts of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">191</span> -Athens. These changes did not meet with the approval of -Cimon, and he tried to restore the old customs.</p> - -<p>The citizens soon grew angry with the two leaders because -each tried to govern Athens in a different way, and, instead -of peace, discord ruled in the city. They determined that -one of them should be ostracised.</p> - -<p>In 461 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> it was resolved to put the matter to the vote. -The citizens assembled in the market place, and shells were -given to them on which to write the name of the leader they -wished to be banished. When the names were counted it was -found that Cimon was ostracised.</p> - -<p>Soon after Cimon left Athens, Ephialtes was slain in his -own house, and it was believed that this cruel deed had -been done by the order of some of Cimon’s friends, in revenge -for the ostracism of their chief.</p> - -<p>Pericles was now left alone to govern Athens.</p> - -<p>He was not rich, so he could not himself do all that Cimon -had done for the people, but he used the public money for -the good of the citizens. And he pleased them by taking -from the court of the Areopagus most of its ancient power, -and giving it to the popular assembly.</p> - -<p>Tickets, too, were given by his orders to the poorer folk -in Athens, so that they might be able to go to the theatres -and other places of public amusement. By these and other -acts, Pericles soon won the goodwill of the people.</p> - -<p>When he was a boy Pericles had been trained by a -philosopher named Anaxagoras, who had taught him much -wisdom. When storms arose they seemed unable to disturb -the calm of the philosopher’s pupil.</p> - -<p>One day, as he was busy in the market place with affairs -of State, a rude fellow never ceased to mock and to speak ill -of him.</p> - -<p>Pericles heard all that the man said, but he took no -notice, and when he had finished his task he set out for home. -The rough fellow followed, throwing at him, not stones, but -cruel, wicked words.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">192</span></p> - -<p>It was dark when Pericles reached his house. Turning -to one of his servants he bade him take a light and see that -the man reached home in safety. And this he did although -he had been treated so badly.</p> - -<p>Because he was a great orator, Pericles was named the -Olympian, but by some it was said that he was so called -because of the beautiful buildings with which he adorned -Athens.</p> - -<p>At this time comedies were acted on the stage, and in -these comedies great statesmen were often ridiculed; that -is, fun was made both of themselves and of their actions.</p> - -<p>Those who wrote these plays were allowed to use their wit -on any one or anything that they chose. It was soon seen -that the Athenians could laugh heartily at themselves, and -that is a good thing that some people can never learn to do.</p> - -<p>Pericles was too well known to be left alone by the -writers of comedy. Sometimes hard words were spoken of -him, as when a writer said that he had a ‘dreadful thunderbolt -in his tongue.’ But he who said this knew that the -eloquence of Pericles was a great power, and that the orator -could make people believe almost anything that he wished -them to believe.</p> - -<p>It is said that one of the kings of Sparta once asked a -noble citizen, named Thucydides, if he or Pericles were the -stronger wrestler.</p> - -<p>‘When I,’ answered Thucydides, ‘have thrown him and -given him a fair fall, by persisting that he had no fall he gets -the better of me, and makes the bystanders, in spite of their -own eyes, believe him.’ Thucydides said this in jest, to -show what wonders Pericles could work by his eloquence.</p> - -<p>But although others might make fun of Pericles’ great -gift of speech, he himself thought of it with reverence. ‘He -was very careful what and how he was to speak, insomuch -that, whenever he went up to the hustings, he prayed the -gods that no one word might unawares slip from him, -unsuitable to the matter and the occasion.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">193</span></p> - -<p>Pericles encouraged the Athenians to war against many -of the Greek States, and when they had subdued them, he -bade these States pay tribute to Athens. Year by year, -under his guidance, the city grew more powerful.</p> - -<p>In 449 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Cimon, who had been recalled from exile, -sailed with a fleet of two hundred ships to Cyprus, where -several cities still owned Artaxerxes, the Persian king, as -their master. He laid siege to the town of Citium, but before -it was taken he fell ill. Although he was forced to stay in -bed, he still sent orders to his men, which helped them to -gain two brilliant victories.</p> - -<p>Cimon did not recover from his illness, and after the death -of its commander the fleet returned to Athens.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">194</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LVII">CHAPTER LVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">PERICLES AND ELPINICE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Athens</span> was at first the leader of the Delian League; she soon -became its ruler.</p> - -<p>Many of the allied cities offered to send, as their contribution -to the league, money instead of ships. To this Athens -agreed gladly, and with the money she added ship after ship -to her own fleet. So the navy of Athens continued to grow -while that of the other states dwindled until they possessed -only a few vessels.</p> - -<p>The treasury of the league, which had been kept in the -small but sacred island of Delos, was moved to Athens with -the consent of the allies.</p> - -<p>But after a time the other cities grew discontented. They -complained that the money they sent to the league was not -spent on ships alone. Some of it, at least, was used to build -beautiful temples for the city of Athens.</p> - -<p>So dissatisfied were they that they declared that they -would leave the league. But they soon found that it would -be difficult to carry out their threat, for Athens was too -anxious to receive their contributions of money to let -them go.</p> - -<p>When the people who lived on the island of Samos revolted, -Pericles went with an army to besiege their capital -town, and after nine months the Samians were forced to -surrender. The walls of the city were pulled down, the ships -belonging to the island were seized, and the inhabitants were -forced to pay a heavy fine.</p> - -<p>On his return to Athens, Pericles was welcomed by his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">195</span> -own party, but Elpinice, the sister of Cimon, was indignant -that the citizens should rejoice at a victory gained over their -own countrymen.</p> - -<p>One day, soon after his triumphant return, Elpinice waylaid -Pericles as he was walking along the streets, and said -to him, ‘These are brave deeds, Pericles, that you have done, -and such as deserve our chaplets, who have lost us many a -worthy citizen, not in a war with Phoenicians or Medes, like -my brother Cimon, but for the overthrow of an allied and -kindred city.’</p> - -<p>Elpinice hoped to make Pericles ashamed that he had -fought with people of his own race.</p> - -<p>And now for two years, from 447 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> to 445 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, loss after -loss befell Athens. While she was struggling with her -other enemies, the king of Sparta marched into Attica with -an army. Athens herself was in danger.</p> - -<p>But before the army reached the city, it was ordered -to halt, and soon after it withdrew from Attica.</p> - -<p>No one knew what had made the Spartans spare Athens, -but it was said that Pericles had paid their king a large sum -of money on condition that he took his army back to his -own country.</p> - -<p>In 445 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Athens signed a Thirty Years’ Truce with -Sparta, and at the same time peace was made with Persia.</p> - -<p>Pericles was now able to devote himself to the work -which was his greatest pleasure. He spent fourteen years -in making Athens so beautiful that it became the wonder -city of the world.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">196</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LVIII">CHAPTER LVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE CITY OF ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> the Persians entered Athens they destroyed her -temples. Some of these temples had been hastily repaired, -others had been hastily built, when the Athenians returned -to their own city.</p> - -<p>But now that peace had been made with the Persians, -Athens determined to show her gratitude to the gods by -building in the city, temples, ‘exceeding magnifical,’ more -beautiful indeed than any that had yet been built.</p> - -<p>The most famous of these temples was the Parthenon or -Temple of the Virgin, built on the Acropolis, and sacred to -the virgin goddess Athene.</p> - -<p>This marvellous temple was planned by a great architect -named Ictinus, and adorned by a yet greater sculptor called -Pheidias.</p> - -<p>The architecture of the Parthenon was Doric, which was -the oldest, the strongest as well as the most simple, of the -four kinds of Grecian buildings. There were two rooms -in the Parthenon with no entrance from one to the other.</p> - -<p>The figure of the goddess, fashioned by the magic hands -of the sculptor Pheidias, was a colossal one. Calm, majestic, -with a smile upon her face, she stood in her wondrous temple, -clad in a robe of gold.</p> - -<p>On her head she wore a helmet, in her right hand she held -fast a little golden figure of the goddess of victory, while -her left lay upon her shield. At her feet a snake lay -coiled.</p> - -<div id="if_i_196" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_196.jpg" width="1802" height="2510" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">The figure of the goddess was a colossal one</div></div> - -<p>Neither of marble nor of bronze was the statue, but of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">197</span> -ivory and pure gold, ivory being used for the flesh, gold for -the robe and armour, which was studded with precious -stones.</p> - -<p>Nowhere was there so marvellous a statue as this of the -goddess Athene wrought by Pheidias, save perchance the Zeus -at Olympia, which was also moulded by the famous sculptor.</p> - -<p>The statue of Zeus had a strange power over those who -gazed upon it.</p> - -<p>‘Let a man sick and weary in his soul, who has passed -through many distresses and sorrows, whose pillow is unvisited -by kindly sleep, stand in front of this image; he will, -I deem, forget all the terrors and troubles of human life.’</p> - -<p>Close to the Parthenon was an older temple, built not in -the Doric but in the Ionic style of architecture. It, too, -was sacred to Athene and also to Poseidon.</p> - -<p>This temple, which was called the Erechtheum, was held -in awe and reverence by the Athenians, for in it was kept an -ancient wooden image of the goddess. So ancient was this -‘most holy idol’ of the people that it looked more like a -rough block of wood than a carved figure. The holy olive -tree, too, was there, which the Persians had cut down, but -which they had been unable to kill, as well as the living -snake, the symbol of the presence of the goddess.</p> - -<p>The Erechtheum was to the Athenians a shrine, in -which lay hidden the story of their past, the Parthenon was -to them a sign of the power and the splendour of the age -of Pericles.</p> - -<p>On the western side of the Acropolis rose a magnificent -marble wall called the Propylaea. The marble had been -pierced at intervals to make five great gateways, the centre -one being for chariots, those on either side leading by steps -to the Parthenon. Through these gateways the Athenians -marched in solemn procession on their feast days.</p> - -<p>A great theatre, sacred to the god Dionysus, was finished -in the age of Pericles, and an Odeon or great hall of music -was added to it, where contests of song and music were held.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">198</span> -The roof of the Odeon was pointed like a tent, and was made -of the masts of ships that had been captured from the -Persians.</p> - -<p>This pointed roof was said by the wits of Athens to be -like the helmet of Pericles, whose head was curiously formed, -and who often wore a helmet to conceal its strange shape.</p> - -<p>‘Here comes Pericles,’ says a comic poet of those days, -‘with the Odeon set on his crown.’</p> - -<p>Another great statue of Athene, called Athene Promachos, -or Athena Foremost in Battle, stood just within the -Propylaea. It was wrought in bronze and showed Athene -in armour, holding shield and spear outstretched. This -statue, also by Pheidias, was fifty feet high and stood on a -pedestal that raised it twenty feet higher, so that it towered -above the roofs of the temples. The golden plume on the -helmet of the goddess was seen by sailors far out at sea.</p> - -<p>With these and many other great works of art, Pericles -adorned the city of his love. The Acropolis he said should -be no longer a fortress, but a sanctuary.</p> - -<p>Some of the Athenians, among them Thucydides, -grumbled because Pericles spent the public money on these -beautiful buildings.</p> - -<p>Pericles heard that the citizens were discontented, and -in the open assembly he rose and bade them tell him if they -thought he used more money than he ought, to adorn the -city.</p> - -<p>‘Too much a great deal,’ was the speedy retort.</p> - -<p>‘Then,’ said Pericles, ‘since it is so, let the cost not go to -your account but to mine, and let the inscriptions upon the -buildings stand in my name.’</p> - -<p>But the people, surprised at his generosity, and perhaps -wishing to share in the glory of his work, were ashamed that -they had complained. They bade him spend as much of the -public money as he deemed right and ‘spare no cost until all -was finished.’</p> - -<p>In 479 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the Persians had reduced Athens to ruins.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">199</span> -Fifty years later she had been built anew and adorned with -temples and statues that made her the wonder of the world.</p> - -<p>Marble was found in Attica, gold and ivory were bought -with money out of the treasury, but without the magic hand -of Pheidias, marble, gold, and ivory had been bought in vain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">200</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LIX">CHAPTER LIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">GREAT MEN OF ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Athens,</span> in the age of Pericles, was the home of literary men -as well as of sculptors and architects.</p> - -<p>Æschylus, one of the greatest men of the age, was a diligent -writer of tragedies or serious plays. You will think that he -was diligent indeed, when I tell you that he wrote ninety -plays, although only seven are known to us now. His -tragedies were acted in the great theatre of Dionysus. The -<i>Persae</i>, his first play, was written eight years after the great -sea-fight at Salamis, to tell of the victory the Athenians had -won over the Persians.</p> - -<p>Just as races were run, and music was written by competitors -to win renown and gain prizes at the festival of -Dionysus, so plays were written and prizes were awarded to -the successful author at this great feast. These plays might -be about the things that were taking place in Greece at that -very time, or the plot might be taken from the old-world -stories of Troy. Proud and dauntless were the men and -women whom Æschylus made to live upon the stage of -Athens. Of many of these you will some day read yourself.</p> - -<p>Sophocles and Euripides also wrote tragedies, and -Euripides is known, too, for the beauty of his songs. He was -a magician who made all that he touched radiant with -beauty. Many people loved Euripides because of the -wonderful songs and plays which he wrote, but some hated -him.</p> - -<p>Aristophanes, the writer of comedies or amusing plays -that made the Athenians laugh with uncontrollable glee,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">201</span> -was one of those who disliked Euripides and held up some -of his works to scorn. But Socrates, a greater man than -he, loved Euripides and called him his favourite poet.</p> - -<p>Herodotus was the first great Greek historian. He was -not born in Attica, but he lived some years in Athens. He -wrote the story of the Persian wars, while Thucydides wrote -that of the Peloponnesian war.</p> - -<p>Some of the greatest teachers in Greece at this time were -called Sophists. A Sophist meant, at first, one who was -clever in any special art. It did not matter what the art -was; it might be cooking, gardening, teaching.</p> - -<p>Protagoras was one of the most famous Sophists, but the -Athenians did not treat him well. For he wrote a book -which displeased them, so that they condemned it and -accused him of writing against the gods of Greece. So angry -were his enemies that Protagoras knew that he could no -longer live safely in Athens. He fled from the city and set -sail for Sicily, but he was drowned before he reached the -island.</p> - -<p>It was of his dead friend Protagoras that Euripides was -thinking when he wrote in one of his plays, ‘Ye have slain, -O Greeks, ye have slain the nightingale of the muses, the -wizard bird that did no wrong.’</p> - -<p>These are a few of the great men who, with Ictinus, -Pheidias, and many another of whom I have not told, made -the glory of Greece known throughout the wide world.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">202</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LX">CHAPTER LX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE THEBANS ATTACK THE PLATAEANS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> cause of the Peloponnesian War was jealousy—jealousy -between Athens and Sparta. Each wished to be the chief -State in Greece, and the only way to settle the dispute in -those days was by an appeal to arms.</p> - -<p>Athens had a great navy and much wealth. She was at -the head of an empire, but the States which she had subdued, -and which she had forced to pay tribute, were discontented -and unlikely to prove useful allies.</p> - -<p>Sparta was the head of the Peloponnesian States. She -had a strong army, but she had not money with which to -carry on war, nor had she, or any of her allies save Corinth, -a fleet that would be of any use against the large, well-equipped -fleet of Athens.</p> - -<p>As long as Athens could keep the mastery of the sea, she -would be able to defy the enemy. Famine would soon -subdue her if she lost this mastery, for much of her corn -supply came from abroad, and if the corn ships did not reach -the Piraeus with their precious freight, the people would -starve.</p> - -<p>On land Athens could not hope to hold her own against -Sparta. Pericles knew this well, and so he urged the -Athenians to place their trust in their ships.</p> - -<p>‘Let us give up lands and houses,’ he said, ‘but keep a -watch over the city and the sea. We should not, under any -irritation at the loss of our property, give battle to the -Peloponnesians, who far outnumber us. Mourn not for -houses or lands, but for men; men may give these, but these<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">203</span> -will not give men. If I thought that you would listen to me, -I would say to you, “Go yourselves and destroy them, and -thereby prove to the Peloponnesians that none of these -things move you.” Such is the power which the empire of -the sea gives.’</p> - -<p>The Peloponnesian War began in the early spring of -431 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> when the citizens of the little town of Thebes made a -treacherous attack upon the town of Plataea.</p> - -<p>Thebes belonged to the Boeotian League, which was on -good terms with Sparta, upon bad terms with Athens.</p> - -<p>Plataea was in alliance with Athens, but there were -traitors among the citizens, and these determined to betray -their city into the hands of the Thebans.</p> - -<p>One dark, stormy night the gates of the city were opened -to admit a band of three hundred Thebans. The main body -of the Theban force was still some distance off. At midnight -the citizens of Plataea were awakened by the sound of -trumpets. They dressed in haste, and then rushing to the -market place found it in the hands of the Thebans, who were -calling upon the citizens to forsake Athens and to join the -Boeotian League.</p> - -<p>At first the Plataeans thought it would be useless to -resist the enemy, but before long they found that there was -only a small band of Thebans in the market place. Heavy -rains had made the river Asopus rise, and the main body of -the enemy was still on the farther side of the river, looking -in vain for a ford.</p> - -<p>So the Plataeans shut their gates, barricaded their streets -with wagons, and then boldly attacked the enemy.</p> - -<p>The Thebans were soon separated from one another and -lost their way in the unknown and dusky streets. To add -to their confusion, from windows and roofs, heavy missiles -were hurled down upon them by the angry Plataean women. -A few scaled the city wall and escaped, but the greater -number, rushing through a large door which they mistook -for one of the city gates, found themselves in a granary from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">204</span> -which there was no escape save by the door through which -they had entered. It was already held by the Plataeans, -and the Thebans were taken prisoners and commanded to -lay down their arms.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the main body of the Thebans had reached -the city gates to find them guarded by the inhabitants. A -herald was sent to bid them withdraw, after releasing the -prisoners whom they had taken on their march to the city. -Unless this was done without delay, the Plataeans threatened -to put to death the Thebans whom they had captured.</p> - -<p>It was plain that their plot had failed; so, to save their -comrades, as they believed, the Thebans released their -prisoners, recrossed the Asopus, and went back to their own -city. Then the Plataeans did a cruel and treacherous deed, -for they slew two hundred of their Theban prisoners.</p> - -<p>The Plataeans sent to Athens to ask for help when the -Theban army appeared without their walls, but the danger -was over before help could reach them.</p> - -<p>Yet, lest the Thebans should return, the women and -children were taken to Athens for safety, while eighty -Athenians were sent to garrison the walls of Plataea.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">205</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXI">CHAPTER LXI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ATTICA IS INVADED BY THE SPARTANS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the month of May 431 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Attica itself was invaded by a -large Spartan army, under king Archidamus.</p> - -<p>Before he crossed the border into Attica the king bade -his army halt, while he sent an ambassador named Melesippus -to the Athenians, to offer them terms if they would submit -to him. But Pericles persuaded the council to refuse even -to listen to Melesippus, who had been told to return to his -own army before the setting of the sun. As he turned away -from the council, Melesippus said to the Athenians, ‘This day -will be the beginning of many woes to the Greeks.’</p> - -<p>Pericles knew that the Spartans would march into Attica, -as soon as their ambassador had returned, so he ordered the -country folk to hasten within the strong walls of Athens for -safety. Their cattle he bade them send to the island of -Euboea.</p> - -<p>The Spartans found the Attic farms deserted, but they -destroyed and burned them, while they trampled down the -cornfields and spoiled the olive groves and orchards.</p> - -<p>As the invading army drew nearer to Athens, the people -within the city walls could mark its progress by the smoke -that rose from burning farms and villas. The men rushed -to the gates, eager to go to attack the enemy, and it was all -but beyond the power of Pericles to restrain them.</p> - -<p>As winter drew near, Archidamus was forced to retreat, -for he had neither money nor food to keep his troops longer -in the country of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Then Pericles, knowing that the way was clear, sailed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">206</span> -from Athens with thirteen thousand men, and surprised -many villages on the Peloponnesian coast. He also burned -the farms and houses in the district of Megara.</p> - -<p>When Pericles returned from Megara, a public burial was -given, as was the custom, to those who had been slain in battle.</p> - -<p>A cedar box, in which were placed the bones of the fallen, -was carried without the walls of the city and buried. For -those whose bodies had not been recovered, there was an -empty bed covered with a pall. The funeral oration, or -Panegyric as it was named, was spoken by Pericles.</p> - -<p>Here are a few of the sentences which Thucydides, the -historian, heard, as he stood among the people and listened -to the Panegyric.</p> - -<p>‘Our city is equally admirable in peace and in war. For -we are lovers of the beautiful, yet simple in our tastes, and -we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness. Wealth -we employ, not for talk and ostentation, but when there is -real use for it. To avow poverty is with us no disgrace; the -true disgrace is in doing nothing to avoid it.</p> - -<p>‘An Athenian citizen does not neglect the State because -he takes care of his own household; and even those of us -who are engaged in business have a very fair idea of politics. -We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public -affairs, not as harmless, but as a useless character....</p> - -<p>‘I would have you day by day fix your eyes upon the -greatness of Athens until you become filled with the love of -her; and when you are impressed with the spectacle of her -glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who -knew their duty and had the courage to do it ... they -freely gave their lives to her as the fairest offering which -they could present at her feast. The whole earth is the -sepulchre of famous men; not only are they commemorated -by columns and inscriptions in their own country, but in -foreign lands there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, -graven, not on stone, but in the hearts of men. Make them -your example.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">207</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXII">CHAPTER LXII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE LAST WORDS OF PERICLES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> the Spartans marched out of Attica, the country folk -left the sheltering walls of Athens to go back to their fields, -to dig, to plough, to sow.</p> - -<p>They hoped in due time to reap a plenteous harvest, for -their last year’s crops had been destroyed by the enemy. -But before the corn was ripe they knew their hopes were -vain. The Spartans had come back, and once again the -people were forced to leave their fields and take refuge within -the walls of the capital.</p> - -<p>But in the city itself an enemy appeared, an enemy that -worked more dreadful havoc than even the Spartan army. -The plague had come to Athens. It spread rapidly, for the -people were crowded together, some in sheds, some in tents, -and these rough shelters were not kept clean. Squalor and -lack of room added to the misery of the sick folk.</p> - -<p>Thousands of those who had fled for safety to the city -were stricken by the plague, and at first few recovered. For -fear seized upon those whom the plague spared and they left -the sick untended, to die, tortured by thirst, and alone.</p> - -<p>At length even the Spartans grew afraid, lest upon them -too the plague should fall, and they again withdrew from -Attica.</p> - -<p>Then Pericles sailed to Peloponnesus and attacked the -enemy in its own country, but with little or no success. -But in Thrace, the town of Potidaea, which had been besieged -by the Athenians for a year, was forced to surrender.</p> - -<p>No breach had been made in the walls, but the famine-stricken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">208</span> -people could no longer bear the pangs of hunger, -nor had they strength left to defend their city.</p> - -<p>The Athenians allowed the miserable inhabitants to leave -Potidaea, but the men were forbidden to take anything with -them save one garment, while the women were permitted to -take two. Before long Athenian families were sent to settle -in Potidaea, which then became a colony belonging to Athens.</p> - -<p>During the war the popularity of Pericles began to wane. -It was he who had advised the Athenians to carry on war -with the Spartans, and they now accused him of causing all -the misery which they had to endure.</p> - -<p>While he was absent with the fleet in 430 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Cleon, the -head of those who were opposed to Pericles, tried to make -peace with the enemy, but his efforts were in vain.</p> - -<p>Cleon was determined, if it were possible, to cause the -downfall of Pericles. So when he returned to Athens, he -accused him of using public money for his own ends.</p> - -<p>When the public accounts were examined a small sum -was missing and Pericles was fined by the law courts, but no -stain was left on his character.</p> - -<p>The Athenians were a fickle people, and before long they -forgot their anger and Pericles found himself as popular -as ever. They were even eager to carry on the war with -Sparta.</p> - -<p>Once before Pericles had been attacked by his enemies. -He was accused, along with Pheidias the sculptor, of having -kept some of the gold which was intended to adorn the -statue of Athene in the Parthenon. But it was easy to -prove that the charge was false, for the gold had been fixed -to the statue in such a way that it could be easily detached.</p> - -<p>Pericles demanded that this should be done, so that the -gold might be weighed. His enemies could not refuse the -test. So the gold was taken off the statue, weighed, and -found to be correct.</p> - -<p>Against Pheidias there were other charges, one being that -in the frieze of the Parthenon there were sculptured portraits<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">209</span> -of himself and Pericles. In 432 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the great sculptor was -thrown into prison, where he died before the day fixed for -his trial.</p> - -<p>The plague, which had disappeared for a year, broke out -again in 429 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> with new violence.</p> - -<p>Pericles had already lost two sons through the terrible -scourge. When Paralus, his favourite child, died, he placed -a garland upon his body, and shut himself in his house to -mourn. Nor could he be persuaded afterward to take much -interest in the affairs of the State.</p> - -<p>A year later, he was himself stricken by the plague. He -recovered, but was soon after attacked by fever which he -was too weak to resist.</p> - -<p>As he lay dying, his friends gathered around his bed. -Thinking that he did not hear what they said, they began to -speak to one another of the great things he had done during -his life.</p> - -<p>But Pericles heard, and interrupting them said, ‘What -you praise in me is partly the result of good fortune, and, at all -events, common to me with many other commanders. What -I am most proud of, you have not noticed. No Athenian -ever put on mourning for an act of mine!’ These were his -last words.</p> - -<p>Plutarch tells us that ‘Pericles was indeed a character -deserving our high admiration, not only for his equitable -and mild temper, but also for the high spirit and feeling -which made him regard it the noblest of all his honours, that, -in the exercise of such immense power, he never had treated -any enemy as irreconcilably opposed to him. And it -appears to me,’ says Plutarch, ‘that this one thing gives that -otherwise childish and arrogant title a fitting and becoming -significance; so dispassionate a temper, a life so pure and -unblemished, might well be called Olympian, in accordance -with our conceptions of the divine beings to whom, as -the natural authors of all good and of nothing evil, we ascribe -the rule and government of the world.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">210</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXIII">CHAPTER LXIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SIEGE OF PLATAEA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Peloponnesian War began with an attack upon the -little town of Plataea. Two years later, in the early summer -of 429 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Plataea was again attacked, this time by the -Spartans, who were led by their king Archidamus. The -town, small though it was, was an Athenian fortress, so the -Spartans were eager to raze it to the ground.</p> - -<p>But Plataea stood on sacred territory; for Pausanias, -after his great victory over the Persians, had declared that -in time of war it should ever be left undisturbed.</p> - -<p>The Plataeans reminded the king of the promise of the -Spartan general, and begged him to withdraw his troops.</p> - -<p>Archidamus would not lead his army away, but he -promised to do the Plataeans no harm if they would become -allies of Sparta, or if they would give up their alliance with -Athens and fight on neither side. But the Plataeans would -not agree to either of these plans.</p> - -<p>Then the king offered to let them leave the town. He -promised that their homes, their orchards, their fields would -be kept in good order as long as the war lasted, and that they -would be given back to them when peace was made.</p> - -<p>It was a generous offer, and the Plataeans begged to be -allowed to send to Athens to ask her advice. Her answer -speedily settled the matter.</p> - -<p>‘Athens,’ so ran the message, ‘never deserted her allies, -and would not now neglect the Plataeans, but succour them -with all her might. Wherefore the alliance must stand and -the attack of the Spartans be withstood.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">211</span></p> - -<p>When Archidamus heard what Athens had said to the -Plataeans, he determined to besiege the town. The Thebans -who were with the Spartan army rejoiced that war was to -begin, for they were ever bitter enemies of the Plataeans.</p> - -<p>The little town prepared to defend herself against the -enemy, sending away the women and children to a place of -safety. A hundred women slaves only were kept to cook and -wash for the garrison, which was small. Yet few in number -as they were, the doughty citizens withstood the attacks of -the Spartans for two years.</p> - -<p>When Archidamus ordered his men to raise a mound as -high as the wall around the town, the Plataeans at once -added to the height of their defences. They also dug -beneath the mound of the enemy, and so undermined it -that it was continually sliding down.</p> - -<p>Then lest the walls should at length be scaled by the -enemy, the citizens built an inner wall to protect the city yet -more strongly.</p> - -<p>Often the little garrison looked wistfully for the help that -Athens had assured them would be sent, but month after -month passed and no help came from the plague-stricken -city. Yet the Plataeans did not dream of surrender.</p> - -<p>Archidamus was in despair, for he knew that his soldiers -were seldom able to take a walled town. His pride was hurt -at the thought of being beaten by a mere handful of men. -He had with him the whole Peloponnesian army, yet a -garrison of five hundred had been able to defy all his efforts -to capture the city.</p> - -<p>The king determined, since he could not take the town -by assault, to starve it into submission. So he now ordered -two great walls to be built round the city, placing on them -here and there towers or battlements. The walls were a -certain space apart, and this space was covered over, so that -the soldiers could live in it as in a camp, while armed sentinels -paced up and down on the roof.</p> - -<p>When the second year of the siege began, food grew<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">212</span> -scarce in Plataea. Either the little garrison must force its -way out or die of hunger. To escape, the soldiers would -have to scale the wall, without attracting the attention of -the sentinels, and reach the ground on the other side.</p> - -<p>More than half the garrison resolved to stay where it was, -but about two hundred determined to make the perilous -attempt.</p> - -<p>So one cold, dark night in the month of December, when -the sentinels had retreated into the towers for shelter, the -brave two hundred stole out of the town, carrying ladders on -their backs. They wore little clothing, that they might -climb and run the easier. That they might step the more -quietly their right feet were bare, while on the left each -wore a shoe to keep him from slipping in the mud.</p> - -<p>Stealthily they made their way across a ditch and reached -the wall unseen, unheard. Twelve of the bravest scaled the -wall and killed the sleepy sentinels, who had sought shelter in -the towers from a storm of wind and rain.</p> - -<p>The others then mounted the wall, fixed their ladders on -the farther side and reached the ground in safety, while the -twelve, who had waited to the last, began to descend.</p> - -<p>All would have been well, had not one man slipped and -knocked a tile off the top of the wall. It rattled and fell -to the ground with a noise that roused the Spartans, who -scrambled up the wall in great haste. But the darkness was -so dense that they could see nothing.</p> - -<p>Those of the garrison who had stayed in the city did all -that they could to perplex the enemy, by making a sally -on the side of the town farthest from that by which their -friends had fled. And when the Spartans lit torches and -flashed danger signals to the Thebans whose city was not -far off, the Plataeans lit beacons, so that the signals were -confused.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the fugitives, having reached the ground in -safety, were met by a band of three hundred Spartans. -These were carrying lights, so the Plataeans were able to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">213</span> -send a shower of arrows among them with sure and deadly -aim. In the confusion that followed, all save one archer -succeeded in crossing a ditch, covered with ice, but too thin -to bear the weight of the fugitives. They struggled through -the icy water, and after many narrow escapes two hundred -and twelve weary men reached Athens in safety.</p> - -<p>Plataea held out gallantly until the summer of 427 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, -when famine at length forced her to surrender.</p> - -<p>Five judges were sent from Sparta to decide the fate of -the prisoners. But the trial was a mere form, for the -Thebans had already persuaded the Spartans how to treat -the unfortunate men.</p> - -<p>Each prisoner as he was brought before the judges was -asked if he had helped the Spartans in their war against -Athens. As each one answered ‘No,’ he was led out and -put to death. In this way two hundred Plataeans and -twenty-five Athenians lost their lives, while the city they -had so bravely defended was razed to the ground.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">214</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXIV">CHAPTER LXIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SENTENCE OF DEATH</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War the city of -Mytilene threw off the yoke of Athens. Mytilene was the -capital of Lesbos, an island near the coast of Asia. The city -had belonged to the Delian league, and when the league -became the empire of Athens, the city remained faithful -to the empire. But as time passed the Mytileneans -became afraid lest Athens should treat them as she had -treated the Samians, and should make them subjects -instead of allies.</p> - -<p>While Athens was at war with Sparta she would have -little time, thought the Mytileneans, to trouble about their -small island, so they revolted and asked the Spartans to -support them, if that should be necessary. The Spartans -promised to help the Mytileneans if the Athenians should -punish their disloyalty, but, as so often happened, they -did not attempt to keep their promise until it was too -late.</p> - -<p>Athens was angry when she heard of the revolt at -Mytilene. Although she could ill spare the men, she sent an -army under a general named Paches to blockade the town -by sea and by land and so to starve her into submission. At -all costs Mytilene must not fall into the hands of Sparta.</p> - -<p>Before long, so strict was the blockade, food began to -run short in the hapless island, and the Spartans failed to -send the help they had promised.</p> - -<p>But when the citizens were desperate with hunger, a -messenger from Sparta reached the town. He had passed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">215</span> -the Athenian army unnoticed and had entered Mytilene, to -the delight of the starving people. When he assured them -that ships laden with corn were on the way and would reach -them soon, their joy was unbounded.</p> - -<p>Day after day, week after week passed, but the Spartan -ships did not come, and hope began to die out of the hearts -of the Mytileneans. It was plain that they must either -surrender or starve to death; so they determined to -surrender.</p> - -<p>They sent for Paches, and agreed to give up the city, and -to leave their fate to be decided by the Athenian assembly. -In the meantime about one thousand of the inhabitants were -sent as prisoners to Athens.</p> - -<p>The Athenians had been bitterly angry with the -Mytileneans for revolting when their hands were already -full with war at home and with the misery caused by the -plague. They were in no mood now to deal mercifully -with them.</p> - -<p>Cleon, a leather-merchant, who by his own efforts had -risen to a high position in the State, roused the temper of the -people by his rough and noisy eloquence, and Pericles was -no longer alive to restrain it, as he had so often done, by -his wiser, calmer speech.</p> - -<p>When the assembly met, it was Cleon who proposed that -all those able to bear arms should be put to death, and that -the women and children should be sold as slaves. In its -angry mood the assembly voted as Cleon wished.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the sentence of death passed, than a ship -was despatched to the island to bid Paches, the Athenian -general, carry out the terrible decision of the assembly.</p> - -<p>But a little later, when the assembly broke up and -escaped from the influence of Cleon’s eloquence, the members -began to be ashamed of their cold-blooded sentence.</p> - -<p>Ambassadors from Mytilene had come to Athens to plead -the cause of their people. When they saw that the Athenians -were uneasy, they persuaded them to call another meeting of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">216</span> -the assembly the following morning, to reconsider the sentence -that they had passed.</p> - -<p>Cleon had felt no regret at the fate of the rebels, and he -was indignant that the assembly should dream of revoking -its decree. When it met on the following day he spoke even -more vehemently than before, urging the members to see -that the sentence was carried out.</p> - -<p>But Diodotus, a noble Athenian, whose name has never -been forgotten, spoke as well as Cleon. So wise were his -words that those who had already wished to alter the sentence -for pity’s sake, were now sure that wisdom also demanded -that the Mytileneans should be spared. Diodotus won the -day, for Cleon was defeated by a small majority.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the sentence revoked than in hot haste a -ship was manned, and the crew was bidden to do its utmost -to overtake the vessel which was carrying the sentence of -doom to Mytilene. Already it was twenty-four hours since -the ship had left Athens. Was it possible to carry the good -news in time?</p> - -<p>The ambassadors promised large rewards to the oarsmen -if they reached the city before the terrible sentence had been -carried out. In their anxiety they provided barley, wine, -oil for the crew.</p> - -<p>There was no lack of zeal on the part of the sailors. They -rowed with all their strength, taking but scant rest, and -eating the barley, which had been soaked in wine and oil -and made into cakes, as they sat at their oars. They -knew that on their speed depended the life or death of -thousands.</p> - -<p>Swifter and swifter flashed the oars of the second ship. -In the first vessel the sailors pulled slowly, for they were in -no haste to deliver the dread tidings which they carried. -And it was well that they had no heart for their task, for -with every muscle strained to the utmost the crew of the -second boat reached Mytilene only just in time.</p> - -<p>The death sentence had already reached Paches, and he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">217</span> -was preparing to carry it out, when with a glad, triumphant -shout the second boat swung into the harbour, and the -Mytileneans were saved.</p> - -<p>But even so they paid heavily for their rebellion, for -about thirty of their leading citizens were executed, their -fleet was taken by the Athenians, and the walls of their city -were destroyed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">218</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXV">CHAPTER LXV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">BRASIDAS LOSES HIS SHIELD</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> 425 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the seventh year of the war, an Athenian fleet of -about forty ships, under an admiral named Eurymedon, was -forced by stormy weather to seek shelter on the promontory -of Pylos in Messenia. Pylos stood on the Bay of Pylos, which -you now know as the Bay of Navarino.</p> - -<p>To give the men something to do until the storm allowed -them to sail, Demosthenes, an officer on board one of the -ships, bade them begin to build a fort. But it was not only -to employ the men that he did this, but because he believed -that Pylos would make a good fortress from which to attack -the western shore of Peloponnesus.</p> - -<p>At first the men took little interest in the work, for they -expected each day to leave Pylos. But as the storm continued, -they began to work with a will, and soon a fortress -that looked fit to defy an enemy was finished.</p> - -<p>It had not been easy work, for the men had no iron tools. -They could not cut stones, but were forced to pick out those -that fitted into each other.</p> - -<p>When mortar was needed they had to carry it on their -backs, bending forward that it might not fall, and clasping -their hands behind to help to keep it in place.</p> - -<p>At length the storm was over and the fleet sailed away, -leaving Demosthenes with five ships to hold the new fortress. -Now the entrance to the Bay of Pylos was almost blocked by -a narrow, thickly wooded island called Sphacteria.</p> - -<p>The Spartans soon heard that the Athenians had taken -possession of Pylos, which was on their territory. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">219</span> -determined to expel them, and an army under Epitadas -was at once sent out and took possession of the wooded island -of Sphacteria, while a Spartan fleet sailed into the Bay of -Pylos. On board one of the ships was a famous Spartan -named Brasidas.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes had just time to send to Eurymedon to beg -him to return with his forty ships, when the Spartans sailed -up to the promontory, meaning to attack and capture -the fort.</p> - -<p>But it proved impossible to land. Again and again the -Spartan admiral made the attempt, but each time he was -forced to withdraw, lest his ships should be dashed upon the -rocks.</p> - -<p>Brasidas refused to give in, and he bade his men wreck -their vessels rather than be beaten back. ‘Be not sparing -of timber,’ he cried, ‘for the enemy has built a fortress in -your country. Perish the ships and force a landing.’</p> - -<p>Spurred on by his words, the men drove their ship -upon the beach, while Brasidas stood fearlessly on the -gangway ready to leap upon the shore. But the Athenians -saw the bold figure too well, and he became a target for -every arrow.</p> - -<p>As he fell back wounded, his left arm hung helpless over -the side of the vessel and his shield slipped off and fell into -the water. The waves washed it toward the shore, whereupon -the enemy dashed down to the edge of the water and -drew it in triumph up to the beach.</p> - -<p>After a desperate struggle the Spartans were forced to -withdraw, and the Athenians celebrated their victory by -erecting a trophy of their spoils, placing, where every eye -could see it, the shield of Brasidas.</p> - -<p>For two days the Spartans still fought to gain the fortress, -but in vain. On the third day, Eurymedon returned with -the Athenian fleet, and as the Spartan ships did not come -to meet him he sailed in at the two entrances to the bay of -Pylos: for the openings had not been secured by the enemy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">220</span></p> - -<p>A desperate battle took place. Many of the Spartan -ships were empty, as their crews were on shore. The -Athenians tried to drag away these empty vessels, so that -the enemy would have no way of escaping from Sphacteria.</p> - -<p>But the Spartans knew that they must save their vessels -at all costs, so they fought with redoubled fury and succeeded -in rescuing most of the deserted ships. Yet their -efforts proved of little use in the end, for though only five -ships were captured, the rest of the fleet was so damaged -that the Athenians were left in possession of the bay. They -at once began to blockade Epitadas and his army in -Sphacteria.</p> - -<div id="if_i_220" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_220.jpg" width="1802" height="2499" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">He became a target for every arrow</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">221</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXVI">CHAPTER LXVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SPARTANS SURRENDER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> Epitadas found that he was shut up on the island of -Sphacteria, he sent a messenger to Sparta to tell what had -befallen him. The ephors were so disturbed by his tidings -that they at once sent some of their number to the Bay of -Pylos to see what could be done to set free Epitadas and -his men.</p> - -<p>They soon saw that it would be too difficult a task to -relieve the island, so they begged Eurymedon to grant a -truce until they sent ambassadors to Athens to sue for peace.</p> - -<p>Their request was granted, and the Spartan ambassadors -at once set sail for Athens.</p> - -<p>When they entered the assembly, Athens, had she but -known it, might have ended the war with honour. But -Pericles was no longer there to tell her that to do so would -be well. Cleon still ruled the assembly with his rough -eloquence. Nicias, the leader of those who desired peace, -although he bitterly disliked Cleon, was not strong enough -to overthrow him.</p> - -<p>The assembly, urged by its leader, offered the Spartan -ambassadors terms which it knew they would not accept. -After rejecting them, as the Athenians expected, the ambassadors -returned indignant to Pylos, and the truce was at an -end. But Sphacteria was not taken so easily as the Athenians -had dreamed. In spite of the strict blockade, food was -taken to the island, so that the Spartans were in no danger -of starving.</p> - -<p>Sometimes swimmers carrying with them linseed, poppy<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">222</span> -seeds and honey, reached the island. Sometimes Helots, -tempted by promise of freedom, would manage, when the -sky was dark and the sea stormy, to sail past the enemy’s -ships, taking cheese, meal and even wine to the Spartans.</p> - -<p>In Athens, the people were growing impatient of the -long blockade. When Demosthenes sent messengers to the -city to ask for reinforcements, they began to be sorry that -they had not offered more reasonable terms to the ambassadors. -They looked darkly at Cleon, and began to whisper -that but for his counsel peace would certainly have been made.</p> - -<p>A meeting of the assembly was called, and Cleon, losing -his temper when Nicias urged that peace should be arranged -without delay, said, ‘It would be easy enough to take -Sphacteria if our generals were men. If I were general I -would do it at once.’</p> - -<p>Nicias was a quiet man, but these scornful words roused -him to anger, and he retorted that if Cleon thought he was -able to take the island it would be well that he should go -and do so. He was himself a general, while Cleon was only -a leather-merchant, but he was willing to resign in his favour.</p> - -<p>At first Cleon thought that Nicias was but jesting, and -he pretended that he really wished to go to the help of -Demosthenes. But when he found that his opponent was -in earnest, he declined the honour, saying that while Nicias -was a general, he himself had no training in military affairs.</p> - -<p>But the people were not willing to let the leather-merchant -escape the consequences of his rash words. They shouted -that he must go and prove that he could do as he had said.</p> - -<p>When Cleon saw that there was no escape he grew reckless, -and boasted that he would not only go to Sphacteria, -but that he would take the island within twenty days, and -either kill all the Spartans on it or bring them prisoners to -Athens.</p> - -<p>Some there were who mocked at his words, others -laughed. But all were glad that the merchant should go, -for they were tired of his rough ways and rougher speech.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">223</span> -If he went he might return with his promise unfulfilled and -his power with the people would then be lost. If he came -back in triumph, the Spartans would have been defeated.</p> - -<p>Before long, Cleon set out at the head of an army for -Pylos. When he arrived he found Demosthenes already -prepared to attack the island.</p> - -<p>A large part of the forest on Sphacteria had just been -burned down by some Athenian soldiers. They had been -sent to the island to reconnoitre, and while making a fire -to cook their dinner the trees were accidentally set alight.</p> - -<p>The wood had sheltered the Spartans from the enemy, -and the fire spoiled their chief defence, so that they were -the less prepared to face the army of nearly fourteen thousand -Athenians, which, led by Cleon and Demosthenes, now -landed on the island.</p> - -<p>Outnumbered as the Spartans were, for their army consisted -of only about four hundred and twenty soldiers and -the same number of Helots, they fought bravely as was -their custom.</p> - -<p>But the arrows of the Athenians soon greatly reduced -their number, while to add to the distress of the wounded, -as well as of those who had escaped, the ground over which -they marched was hot with still smouldering ashes of burnt -wood.</p> - -<p>At length Epitadas, the Spartan general, was slain, and -the few soldiers who were still able to fight retreated to a -hill on which was an old ruined fort. Here they took their -stand, determined to keep the enemy at bay. And they -did so until the Athenians found a path up a steep crag, -from the top of which they could command the Spartan fort.</p> - -<p>Unseen by the brave defenders, the enemy scaled the -almost precipitous path, and when they reached the top -they at once began to shoot arrows down upon the startled -soldiers.</p> - -<p>But soon Cleon bade them stay their arrows while he -sent a herald to the Spartans to bid them surrender.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">224</span></p> - -<p>Spartan troops had never yet yielded to a foe. Ever -they had conquered or fought to the death. Cleon believed -that now, as their brave fellows at Thermopylae had done, -they would rather die than yield.</p> - -<p>But the Spartans dropped their shields and waved their -hands above their heads to show that they would cease to -fight. They begged to be allowed to ask the advice of their -friends on the mainland. Their request was granted, and -their friends bade them ‘to take counsel for themselves, -but to do nothing disgraceful.’</p> - -<p>Two hundred and ninety-two Spartans, who were all -that were still alive on Sphacteria, then surrendered, one -hundred and twenty of these belonging to the noblest -families in Sparta. Never after this surrender were the -Spartans considered invincible.</p> - -<p>Cleon was now able to return to Athens, which he reached -within twenty days from the time he left the city, bringing -with him, as he had boasted that he would do, his Spartan -prisoners.</p> - -<p>The Athenians rejoiced at the success of their army, -but they laughed as they thought of the strange general -who had led it to victory.</p> - -<p>As for the prisoners, they were glad to hold them as -hostages. The Spartans would be less likely to invade -Attica while their comrades were in Athens.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">225</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXVII">CHAPTER LXVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">BRASIDAS THE SPARTAN</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Athenians were encouraged by the victory they had -gained at Sphacteria to hope for still greater success to -their arms, and in 424 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> they marched boldly into the -country of Boeotia. At Delium they seized and fortified -a temple, sacred to Apollo.</p> - -<p>Now the Boeotians were indignant with the Athenians -for invading their land, but they were still more angry that -they had dared to enter their temple. They at once marched -against the enemy and defeated them with great loss, but -the temple was still left in the hands of the Athenians.</p> - -<p>As was the custom in those days, the defeated generals -asked the victors to allow them to bury their comrades who -had fallen on the battlefield. But the Boeotians answered -‘When you give us back our temple you shall bury your -dead.’</p> - -<p>The Athenians refused to do this, saying that Delium, -the site on which the temple stood, belonged to Attica, and -they had a right to stay in their own land.</p> - -<p>‘If you are in your own land,’ retorted the Boeotians, -‘do as you wish without asking our consent.’ It was easy -to say this, for they knew that the defeated army was not -strong enough to defy them.</p> - -<p>When the invaders still refused to leave the temple, the -Boeotians determined to drive them away by setting fire -to the wooden barricades with which the Athenians had -fortified the temple.</p> - -<p>So they took a large beam of wood, and scooping out the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">226</span> -centre made it into a hollow tube. To one end they fastened, -by an iron chain, a huge caldron. In the caldron they -placed charcoal and sulphur, while to the other end of the -tube they tied bellows, by which a strong current of air -could be blown through to the other end. When this was -done the charcoal and the sulphur in the caldron were -fanned into a great blaze, and the fortifications of the temple -were soon on fire.</p> - -<p>The Athenians tried to quench the flames in vain, and -at length they were forced to flee, leaving the temple to the -triumphant Boeotians, who no longer refused to let them -bury their comrades.</p> - -<p>The defeat of Delium was followed by many other -disasters, and was the beginning of the downfall of the -empire of Athens.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Brasidas had recovered from the wound that -he had received at Pylos.</p> - -<p>Never had there been so strange a Spartan as Brasidas. -His countrymen spoke as little as possible, and what they -did say they said in a brief, concise manner. In later days -such short, pithy speech was termed laconic. This name -was used because Sparta was also called Laconia. But -Brasidas was not laconic, he spoke quickly and with ease, -and while his comrades liked to do things in the way their -fathers had done, Brasidas loved new ways and bold -adventures.</p> - -<p>Spartans were seldom liked by strangers, for they were -rough, often even discourteous in their manner; but Brasidas -had winning ways, and wherever he went he made friends. -He was not only pleasant, he was also just, and strangers -soon learned that his word could be trusted.</p> - -<p>This was the man who was now sent with an army through -Thessaly. The country was for the most part loyal to -Athens, yet the Spartans reached Macedon unhindered.</p> - -<p>Brasidas had been told that the city of Acanthus was -ready to fling open her gates to him, but he found them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">227</span> -guarded. He asked to be allowed to enter that he might -tell the people why he had come to their city, and they, -won by his kind and simple manner, admitted him.</p> - -<p>His first words pleased them, for he told them that he -knew how powerful they were, and that if they refused to -throw off their allegiance to Athens many other cities -would be encouraged by their example.</p> - -<p>If they would trust themselves to Sparta, he promised -that their city should be free. ‘But should you refuse,’ -and his voice grew stern, ‘and say that I have no right to -force an alliance on a people against its will, I will ravage -your land, and force you to consent. And for two reasons -will I do this. The tribute you pay to Athens injures Sparta -by making her foe stronger, and your example will make -other cities resist the claims of Sparta.’</p> - -<p>The Acanthians were afraid that Brasidas would fulfil -his threat and destroy their fields, and trample on their -grapes which were now ripe and ready to pluck, so they -determined to trust Sparta and throw off their allegiance to -Athens.</p> - -<p>Brasidas was pleased, for, as he had foreseen, other cities -quickly followed the example of Acanthus.</p> - -<p>Encouraged by his success the Spartan general now -determined to attack Amphipolis, an important town in -Thrace, standing on the bank of the river Strymon.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">228</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXVIII">CHAPTER LXVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">AMPHIPOLIS SURRENDERS TO BRASIDAS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Amphipolis</span> belonged to the Athenians, who had sent Thucydides -and Eucles to guard the city lest it should be attacked -by the Spartans. Thucydides had not only the city but a -large district also to protect, and he was at this time stationed -with his troops at some distance from Amphipolis, while -Eucles was in the city itself.</p> - -<p>The bridge over the Strymon, which led to the city, was -carelessly guarded. So when, on a cold and wintry day, -Brasidas reached the river, he took the bridge without -difficulty, making prisoners the few soldiers who held it.</p> - -<p>Messengers were at once sent to Thucydides to tell him -that the Spartans had seized the bridge, and to beg him to -come as quickly as possible to protect the city. Before the -day was over, Thucydides had reached Eion, at the mouth -of the Strymon. But his speed was of no avail, for Amphipolis -had already surrendered, tempted by the easy terms -that Brasidas had offered.</p> - -<p>When the Athenians heard that the city was lost, they -were indignant with Thucydides, and chiefly through the -influence of Cleon, who disliked him, he was sent into -exile.</p> - -<p>The punishment was severe, but Thucydides was not -idle during his banishment. He travelled from place to -place, and everywhere he went he paid great attention to -the ways of the people and to the manner in which their -cities were governed. He himself wrote, ‘Associating with -both sides, with the Peloponnesians quite as much as with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">229</span> -the Athenians, because of my exile, I was thus enabled to -watch quietly the course of events.’</p> - -<p>After having studied the ‘course of events,’ Thucydides -began to write about the Peloponnesian war, and he became -the greatest of all the historians of Greece.</p> - -<p>After the surrender of Amphipolis in 424 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, city after -city forsook its allegiance to Athens. Scione did not even -wait for the Spartans to demand admission, they opened -their gates and begged Brasidas to enter. His presence -pleased the people well, and when he had spoken to them -their enthusiasm knew no bounds. They sent for a crown -of gold and placed it on his head, calling him the ‘liberator -of Hellas.’ Many of the people, too, cast garlands over him -as they were used to do to victors at a race.</p> - -<p>Until now Brasidas had fought loyally for the sake of -his country, but after the crown of gold had rested on his -head he grew more ambitious to win fame for himself than -glory for his country. It was his ambition that made him -now do all that he could to keep Sparta from making peace -with Athens, as she wished to do.</p> - -<p>Cleon, too, was eager that the war should continue, not -in order to win renown for himself, but rather that Athens -might regain the empire that Brasidas was snatching from -her grasp.</p> - -<p>Two years after the surrender of Amphipolis, Cleon -urged the Athenians to make an effort to retake the city. -His rough eloquence persuaded them to undertake the -task. He was himself appointed general, and was sent to -Thrace at the head of a large army.</p> - -<p>As he marched through the country he took several -towns before he reached Eion, at the mouth of the river -Strymon.</p> - -<p>Here he halted, meaning to wait for reinforcements. -But his soldiers had little respect for their general. Was -he not after all only a leather-merchant? What could he -know about war? And they clamoured to be led at once<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">230</span> -against the enemy. Cleon did not dare to refuse to do as -his army wished, and he ordered his whole force to march -toward Amphipolis to find out the strength of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Brasidas was encamped with his army on the top of a -hill, near to the city, from which he could watch every movement -of the enemy.</p> - -<p>When he saw the Athenians approaching, he ordered -his men to march into the town where the Spartan Clearidas -was now governor.</p> - -<p>Cleon at once supposed that Brasidas had taken shelter -within the walls of Amphipolis so as to avoid a battle. -Feeling no longer anxious, he left his army near the city, but -not drawn up ready for battle, and himself rode carelessly -forward to look at the surrounding country.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile some Athenian soldiers heard the restless -movement of men and horses within the walls, others looking -under the gates saw many feet gathering together. It was -clear that preparations were being made by the Spartans -to sally out and attack them.</p> - -<p>A messenger was sent in haste to find Cleon. The -general no sooner heard the report than he hurried back to -his army, and commanded it at once to retreat toward Eion. -To do this the Athenians had to march past Amphipolis -with their right sides unprotected, for their shields were -carried always on their left arm, which was now the farthest -from the walls of the city.</p> - -<p>The men had no confidence in their general, and they -began to retreat in disorder. From within the city, Brasidas -was watching with keen eyes the movements of the enemy. -Suddenly he cried, ‘These men will never withstand our -onset. Look at their quivering spears and nodding heads. -Men who are going to fight never march in such a fashion -as this. Open the gates at once that I may rush on them -forthwith.’</p> - -<p>So the gates of the city were flung open and out dashed -Brasidas followed by his men, as he charged right into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">231</span> -centre of the Athenian army. The left wing, seized with -panic, fled. Clearidas meanwhile led a body of men against -the right wing, and a fierce struggle followed.</p> - -<p>Cleon, less at home on a battlefield than in the assembly -at Athens, grew frightened at the unusual sights and sounds, -and fled, leaving his army without a leader. As he fled an -arrow pierced him and he fell to the ground, wounded to -death.</p> - -<p>Brasidas also, as he turned to go to the help of Clearidas, -was wounded. His followers carried him within the walls of -the city. He lived long enough to know that the Athenians -were utterly defeated.</p> - -<p>The people of Amphipolis had learned to love Brasidas, -and he was buried with great splendour in the market-place. -A temple was built to his honour, and every year sacrifices -were offered and games were held in memory of the brave -soldier.</p> - -<p>So deep was the affection of the people that they determined -to forget that their city had been founded by an -Athenian, and henceforth to count Brasidas the Spartan the -true founder of Amphipolis.</p> - -<p>As Cleon and Brasidas were both dead, the peace party, -with Nicias at its head, was able to arrange terms with the -king of Sparta, and in spring, 421 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the Peace of Nicias -was signed. The first part of the Peloponnesian War, which -had begun ten years before, was ended.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">232</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXIX">CHAPTER LXIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALCIBIADES THE FAVOURITE OF ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Peace of Nicias, which was made for fifty years, did not -last more than six. Thucydides tells us that it did not really -last even so long. For although for six years neither Spartans -nor Athenians invaded each other’s land, yet they did as -much harm as they could to one another.</p> - -<p>‘So that,’ says the wise historian, ‘if any one objects to -consider it a time of war, he will not be estimating it rightly.’</p> - -<p>Almost as soon as peace was signed, Sparta and the State -of Argos quarrelled. Each wished to get help from Athens, -so each sent ambassadors to her. The Argives boldly begged -Athens to join them against Sparta; the Spartans were -content to remind her that she had signed the Peace of -Nicias.</p> - -<p>In Athens at this time there was a rich young noble named -Alcibiades, who wished the Athenians to make an alliance -with the Argives.</p> - -<p>But the Spartan ambassadors had already been welcomed -by the Athenians, because they had come with full power -to arrange fair terms. Alcibiades was as determined as he -was angry. To gain what he wished he resolved to play a -trick on the Spartan ambassadors. So he went to them in -secret, and told them how foolish they had been to tell the -Athenians what great powers they had, for the assembly would -certainly wrest from them more than they wished to give.</p> - -<p>‘When the assembly meets, tell the people,’ said Alcibiades, -‘that you have no power, but that you will send -their demands to the Spartan council. I will support you<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">233</span> -and all will be well, for you will have time to think over their -wishes.’</p> - -<p>The ambassadors thought that the young noble knew -better than they how his countrymen should be treated, and -they promised to follow his advice.</p> - -<p>So when the assembly met the next day, the Spartans -declared that they had come only to report what the Athenians -should say, that they had no power to arrange terms until -they had heard from their own council.</p> - -<p>No sooner had they spoken than Alcibiades jumped to -his feet, and to the dismay of the ambassadors he pointed -to them with scorn, saying, ‘These men say one thing one -day, and another thing the next day; they are not to be -trusted. Let us refuse to have anything more to do with -them.’</p> - -<p>The Athenians at once agreed with Alcibiades that it -was useless to treat with such unreliable ambassadors, and -they then made an alliance with the Argives.</p> - -<p>When the Spartans reached their own country they told -how they had been deceived by Alcibiades, and how rudely -they had been treated by the assembly. And this, as well -as the alliance which the Athenians had made with the -Argives, was the cause of the second part of the Peloponnesian -War.</p> - -<p>The Spartans were thirsting to avenge the battle of -Sphacteria, and to wipe out the memory of their surrender. -When they met the Athenians in 418 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> at Mantinea they -fought with the courage and the fierceness that had made -them invincible until the fatal day of Sphacteria.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades, whose trick had been the cause of so much -mischief, was the son of an Athenian, named Clinias.</p> - -<p>While Alcibiades was still young his father died, and -Pericles became one of his guardians. He was a beautiful -baby, a handsome boy, and when he grew to be a man he -was so brave and so winning in his ways that he made friends -very easily.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">234</span></p> - -<p>But he made enemies as well as friends, for he was wild -and wayward, while his pride often made him behave with -scant courtesy even to those whom he should have treated -with reverence and respect.</p> - -<p>Staid, sensible folk were shocked at his careless, extravagant -ways. Nicias distrusted him. But the citizens -loved him and forgave him much, for he spent his wealth -freely among them, and often entertained them with public -shows.</p> - -<p>‘They love and hate and cannot do without him,’ wrote -Aristophanes, as he watched the Athenians now cherishing, -now chiding, their favourite.</p> - -<p>One day, he was a mere lad at the time, he was wrestling -with a playmate, when, thinking he was going to be thrown, -he suddenly bit his companion’s hand with all his strength. -His friend quickly let go his hold, crying, ‘You bite, Alcibiades, -like a woman.’</p> - -<p>‘No,’ answered the boy, ‘like a lion.’</p> - -<p>Another day he was throwing dice in the street with -his playmates, when a wagon pulled by two horses -approached. It was the turn of Alcibiades to throw, and -he shouted to the driver to stop, but the man paid no heed -to the boy and drove on. The other children scampered -out of the way, but the wilful little noble flung himself down -in front of the horses and cried to the driver to go on now -if he pleased.</p> - -<p>Afraid lest he should hurt the boy the man at once pulled -up his horses, while those who had been looking on in terror -rushed forward and dragged the foolish little fellow out of -danger. But Alcibiades had made the driver pull up and -he was content.</p> - -<p>His want of self-control became greater as he grew older. -When he was at a grammar school he one day asked the -schoolmaster to lend him one of Homer’s books. The master -said that he did not possess it, whereupon the rude boy -struck him and then turned and walked away. Some years<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">235</span> -later he struck a citizen whose talent in the theatre had outshone -his own.</p> - -<p>When he was a young man he walked into the assembly -with a pet quail hidden under his cloak. This would have -raised a storm of indignation had it been done by anyone -else.</p> - -<p>In the law court one of Alcibiades’ friends was accused, -when the favourite at once seized the writ and tore it in -pieces before the face of the judge.</p> - -<p>The young nobleman was rich, and much of his wealth -he spent on horses. He sent seven chariots to the Olympic -games, and once, to the great delight of the Athenians, their -favourite won the first, second, and third prizes.</p> - -<p>Euripides, the poet, sang of the triumph of Alcibiades -in these lines:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent14">‘But my song to you,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Son of Clinias, is due.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Victory is noble; how much more</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To do as never Greek before;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To obtain in the great chariot race</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The first, the second, and third place;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">With easy step advanced to fame,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To bid the herald three times claim</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The olive for one victor’s name.’</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>At one time Alcibiades owned a very large, handsome -dog, for which he had paid an enormous price. He ordered -his tail, which Plutarch tells us was ‘his principal ornament,’ -to be cut off.</p> - -<p>His friends said that it was a stupid deed, and told him -that every one in Athens was angry that he had spoiled the -noble appearance of his dog. But Alcibiades only laughed, -saying, ‘Just what I wanted has happened then. I wished -the Athenians to talk about this, that they might not say -something worse of me.’</p> - -<p>It was natural that so reckless and generous a youth -should be surrounded by a crowd of flatterers, ready to -applaud his foolish and sometimes insolent acts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">236</span></p> - -<p>But Alcibiades had no love for these careless admirers, -although he would spend hours with them at feasts and -revels. His affection he gave to one whom you would -scarcely have expected the gay young nobleman to notice—to -Socrates, the great philosopher and teacher of Athens.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">237</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXX">CHAPTER LXX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">SOCRATES THE PHILOSOPHER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Socrates</span> was born in 469 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> He was not a noble like -Alcibiades, but a man of humble birth. Nor was he handsome -as was his disciple, but plain, even ugly, the people -said. He was small, too, and dressed with little care.</p> - -<p>If anyone wished to find the philosopher, he knew that -he had only to go to the market-place or into the streets. -Here, from early morning until late at night, Socrates was -to be seen, and always he was talking, talking to all who -were willing to listen. And there were ever many who -were not only willing but eager to hear what the teacher -had to say, for his words were so wise, his conversations so -strange.</p> - -<p>Socrates believed that the gods had sent him to teach -the Athenians. From his boyhood he had heard a voice -within him, bidding him to do this, not to do that. He -often spoke of this voice to those who became his disciples. -It became known as the dæmon of Socrates.</p> - -<p>The philosopher was a soldier as well as a teacher, and -his philosophy taught him how to endure hardship as well -as or even better than could the ordinary Athenian.</p> - -<p>In heat or in cold he wore the same clothing, and in all -weathers he walked with bare feet. He ate little and drank -less whether he was in the camp or in the city.</p> - -<p>Xanthippe, the wife of Socrates, had not a good temper, -and she would often scold the philosopher. That may have -been because while he was teaching wisdom in the market-place, -Xanthippe was at home wondering how to provide<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">238</span> -food for her husband and their children with the few coins -she possessed. Socrates was never paid by his disciples, -and so it often happened that Xanthippe found it difficult -to get food and clothing for her household.</p> - -<p>The philosopher taught for many years, but at length, in -399 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, his enemies accused him of speaking against the -gods of Athens. He had even dared, so they said, to speak -of new gods whom the people should worship, and that was -a crime worthy of death.</p> - -<p>Socrates took little trouble to defend himself against the -accusations of his enemies. His dæmon, he said, would not -allow him to plead for his life. So he was condemned to -death, but only by a majority of five or six votes out of -six hundred.</p> - -<p>For thirty days Socrates was in prison, and he spent the -time in talking to his friends just as he had been used to do -in the market-place.</p> - -<p>One of his disciples, named Crito, bribed the jailer to -allow his prisoner to escape, but Socrates refused to flee. -He did not fear death, but faced it calmly as he had faced -life.</p> - -<p>On the day before the sentence was carried out, he -talked quietly to his disciples of the life to which he was -going, for he believed that his soul, which was his real self, -would live after he had laid aside his body as a garment.</p> - -<p>When the cup of hemlock, a poisoned draught, was -brought to him, his friends wept, but he took the cup in his -hand, and drank the contents as though it were a draught -of wine.</p> - -<p>His last words to Crito were to remind him to pay a debt. -‘Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius,’ he said. ‘Discharge the -debt and by no means omit it.’ Asclepius was the god of -medicine, and in this way Socrates showed his reverence -for the religious customs of his country.</p> - -<div id="if_i_238" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_238.jpg" width="1820" height="2513" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">He drank the contents as though it were a draught of wine</div></div> - -<p>This was the man who found in Alcibiades, despite his -wild ways, a noble mind and a kind heart. These he determined<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">239</span> -to educate. And his pupil was quick to see that -Socrates spoke truth to him. He soon learned to appreciate -his kindness and to stand in awe of his virtue. Sometimes, -indeed, the words of his master ‘overcame him so -much as to draw tears from his eyes, and to disturb his very -soul.’</p> - -<p>So dear did the philosopher become to Alcibiades that -he often lived in the same tent with him and shared his -simple meals. Yet sometimes he was tempted by his -flatterers when they begged him to come to spend the days -in pleasure and the nights in feasting. Then he would -yield to their entreaties and for a while desert and even -avoid his master.</p> - -<p>But the philosopher did not leave his pupil unchecked -to do as he wished. He ‘would pursue him as if he had -been a fugitive slave.... He reduced and corrected him -by his addresses, and made him humble and modest, by -showing him in how many things he was deficient, and how -very far from perfection in virtue.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">240</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXI">CHAPTER LXXI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALCIBIADES PRAISES SOCRATES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">One</span> of the most famous disciples of Socrates was Plato. -He loved his master well, and wrote down many of his conversations, -so that his words may still be read.</p> - -<p>In a book, named the <i>Symposium</i>, Plato tells us that -Socrates and his friends met at a banquet one day and spoke -to each other in praise of love.</p> - -<p>When it came to Alcibiades’ turn to speak, he was eager -to tell of the love he had for Socrates. He began by begging -the others not to laugh if he said first of all that Socrates -was like the images of the god Silenus, which they had often -seen in the shops of Athens.</p> - -<p>Now Silenus was a satyr, a strange figure that was half -man, half goat. In his mouth were pipes and flutes upon -which he played, while his images were made to open, and -within each might be seen the figure of a god.</p> - -<p>As the gay company thought of the uncouth figure of -the satyr, at which they had often stared in shop windows, -they could not but laugh at Alcibiades for comparing his -master to such an image.</p> - -<p>But when the young nobleman went on to speak of the -god that was hidden in Socrates, just as the image of one -was concealed in the body of the satyr, it may be that the -laughter of the gay company was hushed. For in truth the -disciple could say no greater thing about the master he -loved than this, that within him he bore the likeness of a god.</p> - -<p>But Silenus was not the only satyr that reminded -Alcibiades of his master. Marsyas, a wonderful flute-player<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">241</span> -also made him think of Socrates. For, said Alcibiades, -‘Are you not a flute-player, Socrates? That you -are, and a far more wonderful performer than Marsyas. He -indeed with instruments used to charm the souls of men by -the power of his breath. But you produce the same effect -with your voice only, and do not require the flute; that is -the difference between you and him.’</p> - -<p>Pericles, and other great Athenian orators, Alcibiades had -heard, he said, unmoved, while Socrates’ words, ‘even at -second hand and however imperfectly repeated, amaze and -possess the souls of every man, woman and child who comes -within hearing of them.’</p> - -<p>Alcibiades then told his astonished listeners how his -master’s eloquence held him as with chains of gold.</p> - -<p>‘This Marsyas,’ he says, ‘has often brought me to such -a pass that I have felt as if I could hardly endure the life -which I am leading ... and I am conscious that if I did -not shut my ears against him, and fly from the voice of the -siren, he would detain me until I grew old, sitting at his feet. -For he makes me confess that I ought not to live as I do, -neglecting the wants of my own soul, and busying myself -with the concerns of the Athenians; therefore I hold my -ears and tear myself away from him.’</p> - -<p>So greatly did the words of Socrates disturb Alcibiades -that sometimes he even wished that his master were dead -and could trouble him no more, and ‘yet I know,’ he adds -quickly, ‘that I should be much more sorry than glad if he -were to die; so that I am at my wit’s end.’</p> - -<p>But it was not only his master’s eloquence that Alcibiades -praised before the gay company of revellers, it was -his deeds as well.</p> - -<p>During the Peloponnesian War both Socrates and Alcibiades -were present at the siege of Potidæa.</p> - -<p>‘There we messed together,’ said Alcibiades, ‘and I had -the opportunity of observing his extraordinary power of -sustaining fatigue and going without food. In the faculty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">242</span> -of endurance he was superior not only to me, but to everybody; -there was no one to be compared to him, yet at a -festival he was the only person who had any real power -of enjoyment.’</p> - -<p>‘Cold, too,’ Alcibiades said, ‘Socrates could bear without -flinching. The winter at Potidæa was severe, the frost -intense. The Athenian soldiers stayed indoors when they -could; when they were forced to be out they put on as many -extra clothes as they could find, their feet they swathed in -felt and fleeces.’</p> - -<p>But Socrates, ‘with his bare feet on the ice and in his -ordinary dress, marched better than the other soldiers who -had shoes, and they looked daggers at him, because he -seemed to despise them.’</p> - -<p>Yet another tale of his endurance Alcibiades told to the -listening company.</p> - -<p>‘One morning,’ he said, ‘Socrates was thinking about -something which he could not resolve; he would not give -it up, but continued thinking from early dawn until noon—there -he stood, fixed in thought; and at noon attention was -drawn to him, and the rumour ran through the wondering -crowd that Socrates had been standing and thinking about -something ever since the break of day. At last, in the evening, -after supper, some Ionians out of curiosity (it was now -summer) brought out their mats and slept in the open air -that they might watch him, and see whether he would stand -all night. There he stood all night until the following -morning, and with the return of light he offered up a prayer -to the sun and went his way.’</p> - -<p>Not even yet had Alcibiades exhausted the praises of -his master, and the gay company listened spell-bound and -bewildered to the young noble. They had not guessed how -well he loved, how gravely he had studied the words and -ways of Socrates. Now it was of the courage of his master -that he wished to tell, for Socrates had saved his life in -battle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">243</span></p> - -<p>‘This was,’ said Alcibiades, ‘the engagement in which I -received the prize of valour; for I was wounded and he -would not leave me, but he rescued me and my arms; and -he ought to have received the prize of valour which the -generals wanted to confer on me, partly on account of my -rank, and I told them so (this Socrates will not impeach or -deny), but he was more eager than the general that I and -not he should have the prize.’</p> - -<p>When the Athenians fled after the defeat of Delium, -the young nobleman was on horseback, and being himself -safe, he watched Socrates, who was among the foot-soldiers.</p> - -<p>‘There you might see him,’ said Alcibiades, ‘just as he -is in the streets of Athens, stalking like a pelican, and rolling -his eyes, calmly contemplating enemies as well as friends, -and making very intelligible to anybody even from a distance -that whoever attacked him would be likely to meet -with a stout resistance; and in this way he and his companions -escaped.’</p> - -<p>With one more tribute to his master, Alcibiades ended -his discourse on love:</p> - -<p>‘His absolute unlikeness to any human being that is or -ever has been is perfectly astonishing. His are the only -words which have a meaning in them, and also the most -divine, ... extending to the whole duty of a good and -honourable man. This, friends, is my praise of Socrates.’</p> - -<p>You will be glad to know that Socrates valued the love -of his disciple and returned it.</p> - -<p>‘I only love you,’ said the philosopher, ‘whereas other -men love what belongs to you; and your beauty, which is -not you, is fading away, just as your true self is beginning -to bloom. And I will never desert you, if you are not -spoiled and deformed by the Athenian people: for the -danger which I most fear is that you will become a lover of -the people, and will be spoiled by them. Many a noble -Athenian has been ruined in this way.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">244</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXII">CHAPTER LXXII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE IMAGES OF HERMES ARE DESTROYED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the island of Sicily there were many different states. In -some of these dwelt Greeks who owned Corinth as their -mother-city. Trade between Sicily and Corinth was good, -and because of this Corinth was growing more powerful -than Athens liked.</p> - -<p>War broke out in 416 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> between Segesta and Selinus, -two cities in the west of Sicily. When Selinus was joined -by another town named Syracuse, the Segestans in dismay -sent to the Athenians to ask for their help.</p> - -<p>It had long been the ambition of Alcibiades to conquer -Sicily. He believed, too, that it would add to the glory of -Athens if the island became part of the Athenian empire.</p> - -<p>So he now urged the assembly to send a fleet to Sicily, -reminding them that if it could conquer Syracuse, it would -then be in its power to ruin the trade of Corinth with Sicily.</p> - -<p>He did not tell the Athenians how great his ambitions -were, but he told them enough to make them wish to help -the Segestans, that they might in this way gain new -territory for Athens.</p> - -<p>The assembly made up its mind to send ambassadors to -Segesta, to find out if the town was able, as she said she was, -to provide money to carry on the war, if the Athenians provided -soldiers.</p> - -<p>When the ambassadors returned in the spring of 415 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> -they brought back with them a sum of money from the -grateful Segestans. They reported, too, that the wealth of -the city was far greater than they had dreamed. But<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">245</span> -although the ambassadors did not know until too late, they -had been deceived by the townsfolk.</p> - -<p>For the rich plate and splendid ornaments with which -the Segestans had adorned each feast to which the ambassadors -had been invited, were taken secretly from house -to house. So that the gold and silver dishes that dazzled -the eyes of the Athenians were always the same, although -they believed that each of their hosts owned the splendid -dishes with which his table was laden.</p> - -<p>The sacred treasures of their temples, too, the Segestans -pretended were of gold, while in reality they were of silver.</p> - -<p>But the ambassadors were convinced that the people -they had visited were rich, and their report made the -Athenians ready to do as Alcibiades and his party wished. -So it was agreed that sixty vessels should be sent to the -help of Segesta.</p> - -<p>Nicias, bent as ever on peace, did all he could to hinder -the expedition. But when, in spite of all he could say, the -assembly still determined to send a fleet to Sicily, he persuaded -it at least to increase the number of ships from sixty -to a hundred. Nicias himself, along with Lamachus and -Alcibiades, was appointed commander of the expedition.</p> - -<p>But the night before the fleet was to sail a strange event -took place.</p> - -<p>All over the city, at the corner of streets, in some niche -of a public building, in front of the houses of the citizens, -stood statues or busts of the god Hermes, on short pedestals -or pillars.</p> - -<p>These figures were reverenced by the Athenians, just as -the image of the Madonna by the roadside or in villages and -towns abroad is worshipped by Roman Catholics.</p> - -<p>On the night before the expedition the statues of Hermes -were chipped and broken, so that the god could no longer -be recognised.</p> - -<p>In the morning as the Athenians went along the streets -of the city, bent on their usual business, these poor defaced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">246</span> -images stared them in the face. Little groups gathered -at street corners, before public buildings, wherever they -had been used to see the statues of Hermes. At first they -gazed at their mutilated god in fear, but fear soon changed -to anger.</p> - -<p>Who had dared to do this impious thing, they asked one -another. It would surely bring down the wrath of the gods -on the Sicilian expedition.</p> - -<p>It was perhaps natural that the people should suspect -their favourite Alcibiades. Was he not often reckless and -ever a mischief maker? They were too excited to remember -that he was not likely to do anything to delay the expedition -on which his heart was set.</p> - -<p>When he heard that the people thought that he had -defaced the images, Alcibiades demanded to be brought to -trial. But no proof had yet been found of his guilt, and it -was decided that the fleet should sail, and that Alcibiades -should go with it.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">247</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXIII">CHAPTER LXXIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALCIBIADES ESCAPES TO SPARTA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">A great</span> crowd gathered at the Piræeus to see the fleet set -sail for Sicily. Groups clustered together, talking eagerly -of the new empire that was to be won in the West, and the -glory that Athens would gain from her conquests. It was -a noisy, happy crowd.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the heralds called for silence, and a hush fell -upon the light-hearted folk as the priests prayed to the -gods for the success of the expedition. Sacrifices, too, were -offered by officers and sailors alike. Then to the strain of -a hymn, in which the crowd of onlookers joined, the anchors -were raised and the fleet sailed slowly away.</p> - -<p>When the ships reached Sicily each commander had a -different plan to propose.</p> - -<p>Nicias, having learned how the ambassadors had been -deceived, wished to sail homewards, without helping the -Segestans. Lamachus, a brave, blunt soldier, wished to sail -at once to Syracuse, and take the city by a sudden attack. -Alcibiades proposed that they should do nothing until they -had made allies of those cities that were not friendly to -Syracuse, and to this plan the other commanders at length -agreed.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile two ships from Athens had followed Alcibiades -to Sicily, for the assembly had determined to arrest -him, and bring him home to be tried for the destruction of -the images of Hermes.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades went quietly on board one of the ships, but -he knew that if he went back to Athens he would be condemned -to death. So daring a deed as the spoiling of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">248</span> -god was more than the Athenians could forgive even to their -favourite. And there were many who believed he was guilty.</p> - -<p>So when the ship reached a seaport town in Italy, Alcibiades -slipped on shore and escaped from his enemies. In -his absence the Athenians condemned him to death and -confiscated his property, while the curses of the gods were -called down upon his head.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades was very angry when he heard what his -countrymen had done, and in his wrath he cried, ‘I will -make them feel that I am alive.’ And he fulfilled his threat. -For he went at once to the Spartans, the enemies of his own -country, and told them the plans of the Athenian generals. -He bade them send a clever general, named Gylippus, -with an army to Syracuse, to help the city to withstand -the attacks of the Athenians. He also advised them to -build a fort at Decelea, a town in Attica, and to send troops -there to harass the Athenians as much as possible.</p> - -<p>To betray his country in this way would have been an -unworthy deed for any Athenian; it was the more unworthy -in Alcibiades, because he had learned from Socrates the true -meaning of honour and righteousness.</p> - -<p>The Spartans were eager to profit by the advice of the -traitor, and they saw for themselves the wisdom of his -words. But in their hearts they did not trust the man who -had betrayed his country.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades stayed in Sparta for some time, and while he -was there he tried to win the confidence of the people by -doing as they did.</p> - -<p>‘People who saw him wearing his hair cut close, bathing -in cold water, eating coarse meal and dining on black broth, -doubted or rather could not believe that he had ever had -a cook in his house, or had even seen a perfumer or had worn -a mantle of purple.’</p> - -<p>It was said that Alcibiades was like a chameleon; because -just as it can change its colour as it chooses, so could the -Athenian change his dress and his customs as he willed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">249</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXIV">CHAPTER LXXIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SIEGE OF SYRACUSE</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Nicias</span> and Lamachus now determined to attack Syracuse -without delay.</p> - -<p>They succeeded in seizing the high ground which joined -the town to the mainland of Sicily. Across this ground -they began to build a wall, meaning to cut the Syracusans -off from help by land. The Athenian fleet then sailed into -the harbour of Syracuse, that so no help might reach the -city by sea.</p> - -<p>But before the wall was finished, two things had happened -to frustrate the plans of the Athenians.</p> - -<p>The Syracusans did not mean to let the enemy finish the -wall if they could prevent it, so they sailed out of the city to -drive them away. In the struggle which followed Lamachus -was killed, and Nicias was left alone to carry on the siege.</p> - -<p>But what was perhaps even worse for the Athenians -than the death of their general, was the arrival of Gylippus -the Spartan commander.</p> - -<p>Almost before the Athenians were aware, Gylippus, at -the head of his troops, marched into Syracuse. Nor did -he rest until he had driven them from the hill on which they -were encamped, and forced them to take up their position -close to the harbour.</p> - -<p>Nicias was ill, and his illness made him more hopeless -than perhaps he would otherwise have been. He wrote to -the assembly to tell it that the Spartans had wrested from -the Athenians all that they had gained, and that they were -now themselves in danger of being besieged.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">250</span></p> - -<p>The fleet, he said, had been drawn up on the beach for -months, and would have to be repaired before it was seaworthy. -Even then it would be difficult to man the vessels, -for many of the crew had died and many more were out of -practice.</p> - -<p>So faint of heart was the Athenian general that, at the -end of his gloomy report, he urged that the whole enterprise -should be given up, or if not, that at least a new fleet might -be sent out without loss of time. For himself he begged -that he might be recalled, as he was ill and unfit for his duties.</p> - -<p>The assembly refused this last request, but it sent a new -fleet to his help, commanded by Eurymedon and Demosthenes.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Gylippus was not idle. He attacked the -Athenians both by land and sea. By land he was victorious, -but at sea he was defeated.</p> - -<p>Undaunted, he at once ordered that the bows of the -Spartan vessels should be made heavier and shorter. When -this had been done he again attacked the enemy’s fleet, and -when the battle ended Gylippus held the entrance to the -harbour.</p> - -<p>The Athenians were now in great peril, for they were -besieged both by land and sea. They could not leave the -harbour unless they cut their way through the fleet of the -victorious Syracusans, and this they had no courage to -attempt.</p> - -<p>But on the day after the battle which had seemed to seal -their fate, hope awoke once more in the Athenian ranks, for -the new fleet, under Eurymedon and Demosthenes, came in -sight.</p> - -<p>The new commanders at once determined that the hill -above Syracuse must be retaken. So on a moonlight night -the attempt was made. But although a band of Athenians -gained the hill, took a fort and repulsed six hundred of the -enemy, they were soon afterwards put to flight. Many -of the soldiers flung away their shields, as they were driven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">251</span> -down the hill, and fell over the cliffs. Others were pushed -back upon their comrades who were still climbing upwards, -so that soon the whole army was in confusion.</p> - -<p>This disaster crushed the spirit of the Athenians. Many -of the soldiers, too, had fever caused by the marshy ground -on which their camp was pitched. Many more were ill or -wounded.</p> - -<p>Eurymedon and Demosthenes advised Nicias to order -the whole army to sail away before the entrance to the Great -Harbour was entirely blockaded, but to this he would not -consent. It seemed that he was afraid to return to Athens -to tell that the expedition had failed.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes then urged Nicias at least to leave the -harbour and sail to a point where their supplies could not -be stopped by the enemy. This too, Nicias refused to do.</p> - -<p>But soon after his refusal, large reinforcements reached -the Spartans, and the general’s obstinacy gave way. He -ordered the fleet to prepare to leave the harbour.</p> - -<p>The men were glad to desert their unhealthy quarters and -got ready in haste, but secretly, that the Syracusans might -not suspect their plans.</p> - -<p>All was ready, when, on 27th August 413 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the night -before the fleet was to sail, an eclipse of the moon took place.</p> - -<p>Nicias was filled with superstitious fears. What might -the eclipse not portend? He sent to the soothsayers, who -said that the fleet must on no account leave the harbour for -twenty-seven days. To disobey the oracle would be fatal, -so Nicias believed, and he at once forbade the fleet to -sail until the twenty-seven days had passed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">252</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXV">CHAPTER LXXV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE ATHENIAN ARMY IS DESTROYED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Athenians made their preparations to retreat as -secretly as possible, but the Syracusans soon discovered their -plans. When they heard that their departure was delayed for -twenty-seven days, they determined to attack the Athenian -fleet once more, and again they were successful.</p> - -<p>On land the Athenians repulsed Gylippus, but they -gained little by this success, for the Syracusans had made -up their mind that the whole Athenian army should be -destroyed.</p> - -<p>So, as Demosthenes had foreseen, they barricaded the -entrance to the Great Harbour, drawing their ships across -it and lashing them together with chains.</p> - -<p>Nicias saw that a battle must be fought, and he ordered -a great number of the land troops to go on board the fleet. -At all costs he must strengthen his navy.</p> - -<p>The first thing the Athenians had to do was to break -through the ships that were lashed together at the mouth -of the harbour. But before the chains could be broken the -enemy was upon them, surrounding them on every side. -Despair gave the Athenians courage, and so desperately -did they fight that for a time it seemed that they might yet -escape.</p> - -<p>Above the crash of vessels rose the cheers or groans of -those who watched the battle from the shore.</p> - -<p>Thucydides gives us a picture of the hopes and fears, the -triumph and despair of those who fought as of those who -watched. He says:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">253</span></p> - -<p>‘The fortune of the battle varied, and it was not possible -that the spectators on the shore should all receive the same -impression of it. Being quite close and having different -points of view, they would some of them see their own ships -victorious; their courage would then revive, and they would -earnestly call upon the gods not to take from them their -hope of deliverance. But others, who saw their ships -worsted, cried and shrieked aloud, and were by the sight -alone more utterly unnerved than the defeated combatants -themselves.</p> - -<p>‘Others again who had fixed their gaze on some part of -the struggle which was undecided were in a state of excitement -still more terrible; they kept swaying their bodies -to and fro in an agony of hope and fear, as the stubborn -conflict went on and on; for at every instant they were all -but saved or all but lost. And while the strife hung in the -balance, you might hear in the Athenian army at once -lamentation, shouting, cries of victory or defeat, and all -the various sounds which are wrung from a great host in -extremity of danger.’</p> - -<p>At length the Athenians were pushed back and yet -further back, until the fleet was stranded on the shore. -The soldiers who had been left on land now rushed forward -and succeeded in saving sixty of their ships from the enemy.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes urged the men to embark and try once -again to cut their way out of the harbour, but they refused, -so crushed were they by their defeat. To retreat by land -was all that the Athenians could now try to do, yet in their -hearts they knew that the retreat must end in slavery or -in death.</p> - -<p>The sick and the wounded were left behind. But those -who were stricken with fever, caused by the marsh land on -which they had been encamped, clung to their comrades, -and scarce knowing what they did, begged that they might -not be left behind. But their strength soon failed, and -they sank down by the wayside to die.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">254</span></p> - -<p>Nicias, ill as he was, did all in his power to encourage and -cheer his men. He himself led the van, Demosthenes brought -up the rear.</p> - -<p>After marching for several days, the Athenians were -parched with thirst. When at length they reached a stream, -it was to find the enemy awaiting them on the farther bank.</p> - -<p>But their thirst was intolerable, and paying no heed to -the foe, the soldiers rushed to the water. As they stooped -to drink, the Syracusans fell upon them and put them to -death.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes and his men had fallen behind the rest of -the army, and had already been forced to surrender. Nicias -now saw that he, too, must submit to Gylippus.</p> - -<p>Seven thousand prisoners were sent by the Spartans to -work in stone quarries. These quarries were like dungeons, -but they were open to the sky, and during the day the -scorching sun beat down piteously on the miserable prisoners, -while at night the cold was so intense that sleep was -impossible.</p> - -<p>Here they were kept for seventy days, with only enough -food to keep them alive, and with scarcely any water to -drink. Many of the men died, those who survived were -sold as slaves.</p> - -<p>Nicias and Demosthenes were both put to death. It is -said that they were tortured, although Gylippus did all -he could to save them from the angry Syracusans. Thus -in disaster and defeat ended the expedition that sailed forth -so bravely from Athens two years before.</p> - -<p>Thucydides says that this expedition was ‘the greatest -adventure that the Greeks entered into during this war, -and, in my opinion,’ he adds, ‘the greatest in which the -Greeks were ever concerned; the one most splendid for the -conquerors and most disastrous for the conquered, for -they suffered no common defeat, but were absolutely -annihilated—land-army, fleet and all—and of many thousands -only a handful ever returned home.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">255</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXVI">CHAPTER LXXVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALCIBIADES RETURNS TO ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Alcibiades</span> fled from the Athenians to Sparta, but he did -not stay there long, for he soon grew tired of living as simply -and frugally as the people of that country. He had, too, -made an enemy of one of the kings of Sparta, so in the -autumn of 412 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he fled to Miletus in Asia Minor, where -Tissaphernes, the Persian governor, ruled for the great king.</p> - -<p>Tissaphernes was a cruel man, but he was easily pleased -by flattery. Alcibiades soon discovered the governor’s -weakness, and he determined to win his favour by his agreeable -speeches. He succeeded so well that the Persian -named some of his parks and pavilions Alcibiades, in honour -of the eloquent Athenian.</p> - -<p>The luxury and ease with which the Persians were surrounded -pleased Alcibiades after his course of Spartan fare -and discipline, and he indulged for a time in even greater -magnificence than did Tissaphernes. His anger against the -Athenians had gradually grown less vehement, and he now -began to wish that they would forget their hatred of him -and recall him from exile.</p> - -<p>But they had little thought to spare for the traitor, for -troubles were pouring in upon them on every side. They -had but lately heard of the complete overthrow of their -fleet and army in Sicily, and they were now building a new -fleet with money which Pericles had put aside long before, -lest at any time Attica should be invaded by sea.</p> - -<p>The Spartans, too, were still at Decelea, where they had -built a fort, not fourteen miles from the city. Town after<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">256</span> -town that had been allied with Athens in the time of her -prosperity now became her enemy.</p> - -<p>In their despair the Athenians had taken a desperate step—they -had asked their old enemies the Persians to come to -their aid.</p> - -<p>It was then that Alcibiades saw an opportunity, as he -thought, to help the people whom he had so cruelly betrayed, -and at the same time to please the Persians.</p> - -<p>So he sent a message to the Athenians to say that if they -would place the government of Athens in the hands of a -party named ‘The Four Hundred,’ he would be able to -persuade Tissaphernes to make an alliance with them. For -his master, the great king, would make no terms with -Athens as long as she was a democracy.</p> - -<p>The Athenians followed Alcibiades’ advice, and the -government of the city was entrusted to The Four Hundred -for a short time. But Alcibiades had not so much influence -as he had believed, and the Persian government still -refused to help the Athenians.</p> - -<p>Partly perhaps in anger with Tissaphernes, partly because -the Athenians were not satisfied with the rule of The Four -Hundred, Alcibiades helped to overthrow them and to -make Athens once again a democracy.</p> - -<p>So grateful were the people for his help, that they declared -his exile was at an end, and bade him return to Athens.</p> - -<p>But although Alcibiades longed to go back to Athens, -he was content to wait until he could return covered with -glory. By his own request he was given the command of a -few ships, and with these he set sail for the Hellespont. -Mindarus, the Spartan admiral, with a large army was there, -hoping to stop the corn supply of Athens on its way to the -city from the Black Sea. If the corn supply was stopped, -Athens would starve, and Mindarus knew that the city -would then soon be in the hands of the Spartans.</p> - -<p>The Athenian fleet was in three divisions, and the one -commanded by Alcibiades passed the Hellespont unseen by -the enemy and took Mindarus by surprise.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">257</span></p> - -<p>By land and sea desperate battles were fought, and in -both the Athenians were victorious. Mindarus was slain, -and the Spartan fleet was destroyed. The Hellespont was -not blocked, and Athens was no longer in danger of starving.</p> - -<p>The Spartans in their own laconic way sent a brief -message to Sparta to tell of their defeat. The despatch -was seized by the Athenians before it reached its destination. -This is what the victorious people read: ‘The ships -are gone; Mindarus is slain; the men are starving; we -know not what to do.’</p> - -<p>For two years, from 409 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> to 407 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Alcibiades -stayed at the Hellespont retaking cities which had thrown -off their allegiance to Athens and joined Sparta. Then -feeling that now he might return with glory, he set sail for -Athens.</p> - -<p>Plutarch tells us that as Alcibiades drew near to the -Piræus he was afraid to venture on shore, until he saw -friends waiting to welcome him:</p> - -<p>‘As soon as he was landed the multitude who came out -to meet him scarcely seemed so much as to see any of the -other captains, but came in throngs about Alcibiades and -saluted him with loud acclamations, and still followed him; -those who could press near him crowned him with garlands, -and they who could not come up so close, yet stayed to -behold him afar off, and the old men pointed him out and -showed him to the young ones.’</p> - -<p>In the assembly, crowns of gold were placed on his head, -and he was created general, with absolute power, over both -the land and the sea forces.</p> - -<p>His estates were given back to him, and a ‘holy herald’ -was bidden to absolve him from the curses which had been -pronounced against him.</p> - -<p>The high priest alone refused to obey, for he said, ‘If he -is innocent, I never cursed him.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">258</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXVII">CHAPTER LXXVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ANTIOCHUS DISOBEYS ALCIBIADES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> king of Persia was not pleased with his governor -Tissaphernes, because he had made an alliance with neither -the Athenians nor the Spartans. So he now sent his younger -son Cyrus to take the place of Tissaphernes, bidding him -make terms with the Spartans.</p> - -<p>Lysander was now in command of the Spartan fleet. -He was as brave and as skilful an admiral as Brasidas had -been, although he could not win the trust of strangers as -his famous countryman had done. But he gained the affection -of his men and cared for their welfare.</p> - -<p>Cyrus invited Lysander to a feast and tried to bribe -him to join the Persians, but in vain.</p> - -<p>The Persian prince then offered to give him whatever -he chose to ask. Lysander wished nothing for himself, but, -to the surprise of all who were present, he begged that the -daily wage of his sailors might be increased.</p> - -<p>In September 407 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the Spartan sailed with his fleet -close to the harbour of Ephesus. About the same time, -Alcibiades, with the Athenian fleet, arrived at Notium, -from which port he could watch the movements of the -enemy.</p> - -<p>As he had little money with which to pay his men, he -determined to leave the fleet in charge of his pilot, Antiochus, -while he, taking with him a few ships, sailed away to plunder -a neighbouring city. In this way he hoped to find the -money that he needed. Alcibiades strictly forbade Antiochus -to risk a battle.</p> - -<div id="if_i_258" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_258.jpg" width="1812" height="2502" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">The multitude saluted him with loud acclamations</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">259</span></p> - -<p>No sooner, however, had the admiral gone than the -pilot disobeyed his orders, and with a number of ships -he sailed past the Spartan fleet, challenging Lysander to -fight.</p> - -<p>The Spartan in reply merely sent a few vessels to drive -away the reckless pilot, but the ships that had been left at -Notium soon noticed that Antiochus was being chased, and -they at once hastened to join him.</p> - -<p>In a short time the two fleets were engaged in battle. -Antiochus was slain, and fifteen of the Athenian ships were -taken or sunk. Those that escaped sailed to Samos, where -Alcibiades soon joined them. He determined, if it were -possible, to avenge the punishment the Spartans had inflicted -on the Athenian vessels, so he sailed to Ephesus and -offered battle to Lysander. But the Spartan had won a -great victory and he did not mean to risk a defeat. He -refused to fight again.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades still had enemies in Athens, and they were -so angry with him for having left the charge of the fleet to -Antiochus that they clamoured for his command to be -taken from him. The assembly was forced to yield to them, -and Alcibiades was deposed, while the command was given -to an Athenian named Conon.</p> - -<p>The admiral then fled to a city on the Hellespont, where -he had long ago bought a castle, lest at any time he should -need a place of refuge from his enemies.</p> - -<p>Conon, the new commander, gained a great victory, at -the island of Arginusæ, on the coast of Asia. After the -victory a storm arose, and a dozen Athenian vessels which -had been disabled in the battle went down with all their -crews on board.</p> - -<p>No attempt was made to rescue the unfortunate sailors, -and eight Athenian generals were ordered to come home to -be tried for neglect of duty. Six only obeyed.</p> - -<p>The assembly met and condemned the generals, but -their sentence was left undetermined. On the day after the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">260</span> -trial a festival was held in the city, at which solemn family -gatherings took place.</p> - -<p>When the relations of those who had perished at Arginusæ -appeared, clad in black, their number roused the people to -fresh fury against the condemned generals.</p> - -<p>The assembly met shortly afterwards, and one of the -members demanded that the people should vote without -delay, and if the generals were found guilty that they should -be put to death.</p> - -<p>Now the generals had not yet finished their defence; -moreover, there was a law in Athens that prisoners should -be judged and sentenced one at a time.</p> - -<p>At first the assembly wished to obey this law, but the -mob was so fierce that it yielded, and pronounced sentence -of death on all the generals at once. To each was brought -a cup of hemlock.</p> - -<p>Socrates was present in the assembly, and he was not -afraid to denounce the sentence as unlawful. Nor would he -withdraw his protest in face of the angry crowd. This was -a brave deed, such as you would expect from the great -philosopher.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">261</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXVIII">CHAPTER LXXVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE WALLS OF ATHENS ARE DESTROYED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> last battle of the Peloponnesian War was fought in the -Hellespont in 405 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> The Athenians had drawn up their -ships near a desolate spot named Ægospotami, and they -soon found that it was an awkward place from which to get -provisions for the army. There were no houses near, from -which they could demand help, so the sailors were forced -to leave their ships and scour the country round about for -food. So dreary was the spot that the Athenians longed to -fight at once.</p> - -<p>But Lysander was in a strong position on the other side -of the strait; he had, too, a plentiful supply of food, so that he -did not mean to let himself be forced into a battle.</p> - -<p>Again and again the Athenians sailed across the strait, -hoping to tempt the Spartans to fight, but Lysander refused -to move.</p> - -<p>As the weeks passed, the Athenians grew careless of an -enemy that seemed too lazy or too cowardly to fight. They -left their ships well-nigh unguarded, and wandered over the -country in large numbers in search of food.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades, from his castle not far off, saw that the -Athenians were in a dangerous position, and that they were -leaving their ships unprotected. He rode over to Ægospotami -to warn the generals to seek a safer position. At -Sestos, a town but two miles off, they would be better able -to defend themselves from the Spartans, should they be -attacked. They would also be able to command provisions.</p> - -<p>But the generals did not wish to listen to Alcibiades, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">262</span> -their pride forbade them to follow his advice. They spoke -rudely to him, telling him to be gone, that now not he but -others had the command of the forces.</p> - -<p>The very day after Alcibiades had warned them, the -Athenians, leaving their ships for the most part unmanned, -set out to search the countryside for food.</p> - -<p>Lysander knew how the enemy usually spent the afternoons. -Now that they had grown heedless of danger he -determined to attack the forsaken ships without further -delay.</p> - -<p>So he ordered his vessels to row quickly across the strait -and he found, as he expected, the Athenian fleet utterly -unprepared for battle.</p> - -<p>There was indeed no battle fought, for the Spartans -easily captured one hundred and seventy ships, and took -more than four thousand prisoners, among whom were three -or four admirals.</p> - -<p>Conon alone, with eight ships, succeeded in escaping. -But he dared not return to Athens with tidings of the disaster, -for he knew that if he did so he would be condemned to -death. So he sent a ship to carry the terrible news to the -city.</p> - -<p>It was evening when the vessel reached Piræus.</p> - -<p>‘The noise of wailing spread all up the Long Walls into -the city, as one passed the tidings on to another; that night -no one slept.’ For now there was no fleet to hinder the -Spartans from stopping the supply of corn, and the Athenians -knew that they must starve or surrender.</p> - -<p>For a little while the city refused to yield. But she had -no allies, no ships, no money, and no corn could enter the -town. The wretched people were dying of hunger before -Athens surrendered to the Spartans in March 404 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span></p> - -<p>She expected no mercy from her conqueror. Even as -she had destroyed many a Spartan town, so she thought -that now she herself would be utterly ruined.</p> - -<p>But Sparta proved less harsh than Athens had deemed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">263</span> -was possible. The city was indeed to be ‘rendered harmless -for ever, but not destroyed.’</p> - -<p>All that was left of her fleet was taken away, and the -walls of Piræus and the walls leading to Athens were pulled -down.</p> - -<p>Lysander stood near, looking on, as the Athenians and -the Spartans together began to break down the walls.</p> - -<p>It was not so gloomy a scene as you might have expected. -Perhaps the Athenians were glad that at length the long and -desperate struggle had come to an end. Flute players and -dancers were present, and added a strange touch of gaiety -to the crowd.</p> - -<p>Soon after the surrender of Athens, Lysander was ordered -to put Alcibiades to death, lest he should encourage the -Athenians at any time to throw off their allegiance to Sparta.</p> - -<p>Plutarch tells us that ‘those who were sent to assassinate -him had not courage enough to enter the house, but surrounded -it first and set it on fire.</p> - -<p>‘Alcibiades, as soon as he perceived it, getting together -great quantities of clothes and furniture, threw them upon -the fire to choke it, and having wrapped his cloak about his -left arm, and holding his naked sword in his right, he cast -himself into the middle of the fire, and escaped securely -through it, before his clothes were burnt.</p> - -<p>‘The barbarians, as soon as they saw him, retreated, and -none of them durst stay to wait for him, or to engage with -him, but, standing at a distance, they slew him with darts -and arrows.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">264</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXIX">CHAPTER LXXIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE MARCH OF THE TEN THOUSAND</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> 404 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, soon after the disaster of Ægospotami, Darius, -king of Persia, died. His eldest son Artaxerxes succeeded -to his father’s throne.</p> - -<p>Cyrus, the younger son, who was present at his father’s -death, was accused by Tissaphernes of trying to secure the -throne for himself.</p> - -<p>Artaxerxes believed Tissaphernes, and Cyrus was arrested, -and would have been put to death had not his mother -pleaded that his life might be spared.</p> - -<p>The king listened to his mother’s request and set his -brother free. He even allowed him to govern the provinces -that had been his in his father’s lifetime.</p> - -<p>But Cyrus felt no gratitude to his brother, he hated him, -and was determined if it were possible to seize his throne.</p> - -<p>So he hired a large number of Greek soldiers, for now -that there was peace between Athens and Sparta, many of -them were idle and glad to take service under Cyrus.</p> - -<p>The prince pretended that he was going to fight against -Tissaphernes, and no one save himself and the Spartan, -Clearchus, who was the leader of the Greeks, knew that the -army was going to Babylon to fight against Artaxerxes, king -of Persia.</p> - -<p>Among the Greek soldiers was Xenophon, a scholar and -a pupil of Socrates, who wrote the story of this expedition.</p> - -<p>Early in 401 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Cyrus assembled his troops at Sardis. -When they arrived at Tarsus, a city on the coast of Cilicia, -the soldiers began to suspect that Cyrus was going to lead<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">265</span> -them against Artaxerxes. They were not afraid of the -great king, but they were afraid to leave the sea behind -them, for that was ever a terrible thing to the Greeks. So -they refused to march farther.</p> - -<p>Clearchus, who was a stern commander and no favourite -with his men, tried in vain to quell their rebellion, but all -his efforts were vain. Not a step forward would they march.</p> - -<p>He had used his authority and failed, now he resolved -not to command but to persuade. So he called his men -together again, and as he looked at them he wept.</p> - -<p>Their grim, stern commander shedding tears! The -soldiers stared at him in open-eyed wonder.</p> - -<p>Then Clearchus bade them see in how difficult a position -they had placed him, for he must either fail Cyrus or -forsake them. Forsake them he could not, so he declared, -for were they not ‘his country, his friends, and his allies’?</p> - -<p>These words pleased the soldiers well, but what pleased -them even more was that when Cyrus sent to ask their -commander to go to his tent, he refused to go.</p> - -<p>But they were less content when Clearchus reminded -them that as they refused to follow Cyrus, they could no -longer expect him to give them food or wages. What, he -asked them, did they mean to do?</p> - -<p>All that they could do was to send a few of their number -to the prince to ask him where he intended to lead them.</p> - -<p>Cyrus answered that he was taking them to the river -Euphrates, to fight against a Persian rebel, and at the same -time he offered to increase their wages if they would obey -Clearchus.</p> - -<p>The Greeks were far from home, and not knowing what -else to do, they agreed to follow their commander. But they -did not trust Cyrus, and they still suspected that he wished -to march beyond the river Euphrates. And when they -reached the river their suspicions proved true, for Cyrus -told them plainly that he was going to Babylon to dethrone -his brother Artaxerxes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">266</span></p> - -<p>As the Euphrates was unusually shallow, the army was -able to cross over on foot, and soon afterwards it was in the -desert of Arabia.</p> - -<p>Xenophon tells us that the desert was ‘smooth as a sea.’ -There were no large trees in all the great expanse, but there -were many shrubs that had a pleasant scent.</p> - -<p>The soldiers did not find the march across the desert -dull, for they saw many strange beasts, unlike any they had -ever seen—wild asses, ostriches, antelopes,—and these they -hunted with zest.</p> - -<p>When the desert lay behind them they found themselves -in a land where fields had been dug and gardens tended. -Here, too, a little before them, was Artaxerxes, with a great -army, ready to fight to the death for his crown.</p> - -<p>The king was encamped at a place called Cunascæ, where -in the summer of 401 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> a battle was fought. Strange -as it may seem, before a blow was struck, the Persians were -seized with panic and turned to flee. Only Tissaphernes at -the head of the cavalry stood firm.</p> - -<p>Cyrus with a small body of men, about six hundred in -number, dashed upon the centre of the army, for there, surrounded -by six thousand horsemen, was Artaxerxes. The -guards scattered before his fierce attack, and the king -turned to fly with them.</p> - -<p>Then Cyrus, careless of aught save his desire to slay his -brother, and gain his crown, galloped after him, attended -by only a few of his own bodyguard.</p> - -<p>As he drew near to the king, he hurled a javelin at him -and wounded him slightly. Almost at the same moment -Cyrus himself was wounded in the eye, and shortly after he -fell from his horse and was slain.</p> - -<p>Cyrus was dead, and ten thousand Greek soldiers were -left alone with their generals in a strange land, surrounded -by enemies. Tissaphernes pretended to be a friend to the -Greeks, and offered to guide them safely home. So the two -armies set out together, but before long the Greek soldiers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">267</span> -grew suspicious of the Persians. To reassure the men, -Tissaphernes invited Clearchus and his captains to his tent.</p> - -<p>The Greek general accepted the invitation, and, never -dreaming of treachery, he went to the Persian’s tent with -four other generals, twenty captains and a few soldiers.</p> - -<p>No sooner had they entered than the captains and soldiers -were seized and put to death by the order of Tissaphernes. -Clearchus and the other generals were loaded with chains -and sent to the king. Artaxerxes commanded that they, -too, should be put to death.</p> - -<p>The Persians believed that the Greek army would now -be forced to surrender. For, alone in an unknown land, -without a leader, how could they hope to reach their own -country?</p> - -<p>But the greatness of their danger roused the courage of -the Greeks. Xenophon, who was at the time only a young -man, made an eloquent speech to the army, bidding them -choose new generals and obey them, for in this way only -could they hope to escape from their enemies.</p> - -<p>The men did as he advised, choosing Xenophon himself -as one of the new generals.</p> - -<p>And now began the retreat of the ten thousand through -untold difficulties. To go back the same way as they had -come was impossible, for the roads would be guarded by -the Persians. So they turned to the north and marched -through a wild and barren country, where fierce hillmen -held the narrow passes through which they must pass.</p> - -<p>Sometimes the savage tribes hurled down upon them -from the heights great pieces of rock, and the soldiers lived -in dread of being crushed to death by their unseen foes.</p> - -<p>When they reached Armenia it was December and -bitterly cold. They were overtaken by a snowstorm so -severe that many of the men lost their way. In vain they -tried to rejoin their comrades, and at length, utterly worn -out, they stumbled into great snowdrifts or lay down on the -road to die.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">268</span></p> - -<p>Still the army struggled bravely on, in the face of the -biting north wind, until at length it reached a tributary of -the river Euphrates. This they crossed in safety, to find -that most of their difficulties were over, for soon after they -reached a city called Gymnias.</p> - -<p>Gymnias was a prosperous mining town, and the inhabitants -welcomed the ten thousand gladly and gave them -food and shelter, after they had heard of the terrible difficulties -through which the men had come.</p> - -<p>But the soldiers did not linger long at Gymnias. They -were eager to set out again, for a guide promised that in five -days he would bring them to the sea.</p> - -<p>‘On the fifth day the Greeks came to a hill, and when the -van reached the summit a great cry arose. When Xenophon -and those at the rear heard it they thought that an enemy -was attacking in front; but when the cry increased as fresh -men continually came up to the summit, Xenophon thought -it must be something more serious, and galloped forward to -the front with his cavalry.</p> - -<p>‘As he drew near he heard what the cry was—“The Sea, -the Sea.”’</p> - -<p>A few days more and the ten thousand were on Greek -soil. Here they rested for a month, offering glad sacrifices -of thanksgiving to Zeus, who had brought them back -in safety to their own land.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">269</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXX">CHAPTER LXXX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">PELOPIDAS AND EPAMINONDAS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> Sparta heard that Artaxerxes had been able neither -to force the ten thousand to surrender nor to slay them, she -thought that his army could not be very powerful. So, -confident in her own strength she went to war against the -great king, dreaming that she would conquer Persia and add -it to her dominions.</p> - -<p>But instead of conquering the country, the Spartans -were so often defeated that, in 387 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, they were willing -to make peace on any terms which Artaxerxes chose to -make.</p> - -<p>And the king saw to it that the terms were severe, for -he demanded that the Greek cities in Asia, which had now -been free for ninety years, should once again acknowledge -him as their lord.</p> - -<p>To those Greeks who loved their country truly, it seemed -better to fight to death than to accept such terms. Nor -will you wonder at this as you read the proud words in -which the king couched his demands.</p> - -<p>‘King Artaxerxes thinks it just,’ he wrote, ‘that the -Greek cities in Asia should belong to him. He also thinks -it just to leave all the other Grecian cities both small -and great independent, except three cities which are to -belong to Athens as of old. Should any parties refuse to -accept this peace I will make war upon them, along with -those who are of the same mind, both by land and sea, with -ships and with money.’</p> - -<p>The states of Greece accepted these terms, which were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">270</span> -carved on stones and placed in their temples, so that it -could be seen by all that Greece was no longer free.</p> - -<p>Although Sparta had been defeated by the Persians, she -was the most powerful state in Greece. Wishing to add to -her possessions, she determined to seize the little town of -Thebes, which at this time was friendly with Athens.</p> - -<p>The two governors of Thebes, Leontiades and Ismenias, -did not get on well together. Leontiades disliked his colleague -so bitterly that he was ready even to betray his -city, if by doing so he could injure Ismenias.</p> - -<p>In September 382 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> a Spartan army, led by a general -named Phœbidas, chanced to be marching through Bœotia. -Not far from the walls of Thebes the soldiers halted to rest.</p> - -<p>Leontiades thought this was the opportunity for which he -had been waiting. He would be able to get rid of Ismenias -with the help of the Spartans. They had already determined -to seize the town, but this the traitor did not know. -He went secretly to the camp, asked for Phœbidas, and -was admitted to the general’s tent. He at once offered to -open the gates of Thebes to the Spartans on the following -day.</p> - -<p>It would be an easy matter to seize the citadel if the -gates were opened, for on the morrow a festival kept by -women alone was to be held there, while at noon the men -would be in their houses dozing during the hottest part of -the day.</p> - -<p>The Spartan general was as eager to take the city as -Leontiades could desire, and the traitor slipped back to -the city thinking of nothing save that Ismenias would soon -be out of his way.</p> - -<p>At noon on the following day, the Spartans marched to -the gates of Thebes, and there, according to his compact, -was Leontiades waiting to admit them. Silently he drew -the keys from under his cloak, unlocked the gates, and -Phœbidas at the head of two thousand men entered the -city. They made their way at once to the citadel, took<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">271</span> -possession of it, and made the women, who were keeping -the festival, prisoners.</p> - -<p>Before long the men of Thebes roused themselves from -their noontide nap, to find, to their dismay, that their wives -and daughters were in the hands of the Spartans.</p> - -<p>Leontiades ordered his rival Ismenias to be arrested, and -soon after the miserable governor was sent to Sparta and -cruelly put to death.</p> - -<p>Three hundred Thebans, who were determined not to -submit to Sparta, succeeded in escaping from the city and -reaching Athens. Many who wished to flee did not dare to -do so, lest in their absence harm should befall their wives -and daughters.</p> - -<p>Leontiades was rewarded for his treachery by being -still allowed to rule in Thebes, along with a Spartan general. -So harshly did Leontiades use his power that the people -hated him, but years passed before the tyrant’s power was -wrested from him.</p> - -<p>During these years those who had fled to Athens often -heard from the miserable Thebans of the hardships they -suffered under the stern rule of Leontiades.</p> - -<p>Among the exiles was a young nobleman named Pelopidas. -Often he would tell his fellow exiles that it was dishonourable -to dwell in comfort in Athens while their city -was not free, and he would urge them to march against the -Spartans, and banish them from Thebes.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas had a great friend in Thebes named Epaminondas. -And although the two friends did brave deeds not -only for their city, but for Greece, they are remembered -most of all for the great love they bore each to the other.</p> - -<p>Both were of noble birth, but Pelopidas was rich, while -Epaminondas was poor. Pelopidas had a generous nature, -and used his money to help those who were not so well off -as he was. Even among his friends many were quick to -accept his kindnesses, but Epaminondas would never take -from him either gold or gifts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">272</span></p> - -<p>Pelopidas resolved that if Epaminondas would not share -his wealth, he would share his friend’s poverty. So he bade -his slaves lay aside his soft, silk robes, that he might clad -himself in garments as simple as those of Epaminondas. -He would allow no rich dishes to be set before him at table, -but he ordered that his food should be both plain and -scanty. In the camp he endured hardships as a common -soldier, in war he showed himself bold as a lion.</p> - -<p>The friends were clever and well-trained, both in mind -and body, but Pelopidas was often to be found in the fields, -while Epaminondas was listening to lectures.</p> - -<p>Each longed to serve his country well, but no touch of -jealousy disturbed the beauty of their friendship. It was -founded deep on reverence and love.</p> - -<p>Some years before the treachery of Leontiades, when -the Spartans were at war with Athens, the Thebans had sent -a troop of soldiers to the aid of Sparta. Among the soldiers -were the two friends Pelopidas and Epaminondas.</p> - -<p>The company with which the Theban soldiers fought was -beaten, and many fled from the field. But Pelopidas and -Epaminondas joined their shields together and fought on -bravely. Pelopidas was wounded seven times, and at length, -faint with the loss of blood, he fell to the ground.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas thought that his comrade was dead, but -he resolved that the enemy should have neither the arms nor -the body of his friend. So he stood over him with his shield, -willing rather ‘to die than forsake his helpless Pelopidas.’</p> - -<p>Soon Epaminondas himself was so severely wounded -that he was no longer able to defend the body of his friend. -Had not the king of Sparta chanced to see his danger, and -with a few followers dashed to his rescue, he would have been -slain by the foe. But the king carried off both Epaminondas -and Pelopidas, who was then found to be still alive.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas recovered, although his wounds had been -severe, and never did he forget that it was his friend who -had saved his life.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">273</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXI">CHAPTER LXXXI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SEVEN CONSPIRATORS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Three</span> years passed before the Theban exiles, encouraged by -Pelopidas, formed a plot to deliver their city from the -Spartans.</p> - -<p>They were helped in their plans by Phyllidas, a Theban -who had stayed in the city and become secretary to the -Spartan governors Archias and Philippus. He had taken -this position under the enemy that he might be able the -better to help his own countrymen. He agreed with Pelopidas -that the time to act had now come.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas was also in Thebes, but he would have -nothing to do with the plot. He would fight when the time -for fighting came, but to slay even tyrants unawares was -not to his liking.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas and six other exiles did not share the scruples -of Epaminondas. They disguised themselves as farmers or -country folk, and one evening reaching Thebes as it began -to grow dark, they slipped one by one at different times into -the city. They then found their way to the house of a citizen -named Charon, who had promised to shelter them.</p> - -<p>Snow was falling and the streets were nearly deserted, -so that the return of the exiles was unnoticed.</p> - -<p>On the following day, Archias and Philippus were to be -present at a great banquet. Phyllidas, the secretary, had -promised to bring to the feast seven beautiful Theban -women. He told no one that the promised guests were the -seven exiles, who had resolved to don a second disguise to -enable them to be present at the banquet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">274</span></p> - -<p>The day of the feast passed slowly for the conspirators, -but at length evening came, and the exiles were putting on -the garments that were to make them appear like beautiful -women, when a loud knock came to the door.</p> - -<p>Already the long day had tried them sorely, and the -knock filled them with foreboding.</p> - -<p>When the door was opened their hearts beat quicker, -for there stood a soldier who bade Charon come to the banqueting -hall without delay.</p> - -<p>Had Charon betrayed them? The exiles looked uncertainly -one at the other. Then they grew ashamed of -their distrust and bade their host hasten to Archias to -allay his suspicions, if indeed they had been aroused.</p> - -<p>Charon was brave and true and he knew that the lives -of the seven men were in his hand. He hoped that they -trusted him, yet he wished to dispel any doubt that they -might have. So he hastened to the nursery of his little son, -and carrying the child to Pelopidas, he placed him in his -arms, saying, ‘If you find me a traitor, treat the boy as an -enemy without any mercy.’</p> - -<p>But the exiles protested, and truly, that they trusted -him well and needed no such hostage, while Pelopidas bade -him take the child back to his nurse.</p> - -<p>Then Charon, staying only to ask the help of the gods, -hastened to the banqueting hall.</p> - -<p>Archias and his secretary were awaiting him, and Archias -said, ‘I have heard, Charon, that there are some men just -come lurking into the town. We fear lest they have come -to stir up the citizens.’</p> - -<p>‘Who are they? Where are they hidden?’ asked -Charon. For he wished to find out how much Archias -knew.</p> - -<p>But Archias knew nothing. It was but a rumour that -had reached him.</p> - -<p>‘Do not disturb yourself because of a rumour,’ said -Charon, who had now no fear of discovery. ‘There are many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">275</span> -tales told in the market-place. But I will find out if there -is truth in what you have heard.’</p> - -<p>Archias was glad to leave the matter to Charon, for he -was impatient to go back to the feast. So Charon hastened -back to his house to tell Pelopidas and his comrades that -their fears were needless, for Archias suspected nothing.</p> - -<p>But although Charon did not know it, a letter was at -that moment being placed in the hands of Archias that -might easily have ruined both him and the conspirators. -For it told Archias the whole plot, as well as the names of -those who were to take part in it.</p> - -<p>The letter had been sent from Athens, and as the messenger -handed it to the Spartan governor, he said, ‘The writer of -this desired that it might be read at once; it is on urgent -business.’</p> - -<p>But Archias could think of nothing that night save the -banquet and the beautiful Theban women, who should now -soon arrive.</p> - -<p>Thrusting the letter unopened under the cushion on -which his head rested, Archias cried, a smile upon his face, -‘Urgent business to-morrow.’ And these words were ever -after used as a proverb by the Greeks.</p> - -<p>The conspirators had now reached the hall. Their -beautiful dresses were wide and loose, for beneath their -splendour they wore armour. On their heads were garlands -of pine and fir, so that their faces might not be seen.</p> - -<p>Archias and his guests clapped their hands gleefully. -Here at last were the beautiful Theban women whose presence -Phyllidas had promised should grace the banquet.</p> - -<p>But in a moment the conspirators had torn off their -disguise. Archias and Philippus were slain almost before -they had time to realise their danger, while the guests who -had rushed to their aid were also put to death.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas and his comrades then hastened to the house -of Leontiades. But he heard them knocking at the door, -and when they rushed into his room a few seconds later,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">276</span> -he met them with his sword drawn, and slew the first man -who entered.</p> - -<p>A terrible struggle then took place between Leontiades -and Pelopidas, but at length the traitor was wounded to -death.</p> - -<p>The conspirators then ran to the prison, ordered the -gates to be opened, and the prisoners to be set free and -armed, for their only crime had been loyalty to their city.</p> - -<p>As day began to dawn, troops from Athens poured into -the city to help the Thebans. The Spartans fought fiercely, -but after a few days the garrison was forced to surrender, -and once again Thebes was free.</p> - -<p>The grateful citizens then assembled in the market-place, -where the priests crowned Pelopidas and Charon, while the -people appointed them governors of the city.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">277</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXII">CHAPTER LXXXII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF LEUCTRA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Thebes</span> had always been a dull, unambitious, little town, -but now her ambition awoke. She was not content only -to be free, she wished to become the most important town -in Bœotia.</p> - -<p>And there was one of her citizens who was so great a -soldier and so wise a statesman, that he was able to do for -Thebes more than she dreamed. Epaminondas not only -made Thebes the chief city in Bœotia, but several years -later, he conquered the Spartans, and so made her the most -important town in Greece.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas, too, fought for the glory of his country. He -became the captain of a band of three hundred young -Thebans, who had sworn to defend their city with their lives.</p> - -<p>These three hundred soldiers, more strictly trained than -other youths, were named the Sacred Band, because each -member was a friend to the other. As they had sworn to -defend their city so they had promised to stand by one -another unto death.</p> - -<p>After many victories, of which you will read, the Sacred -Band fell on the battlefield. Even their conqueror, as he -looked upon them shed tears, saying, ‘Perish any man who -suspects that these men either did or suffered anything that -was base!’</p> - -<p>For two years after Thebes won back her freedom, Sparta -never ceased to try to wrench it from her. But at the end -of two years she was forced to leave the Thebans alone, for -all her soldiers were needed to fight against the Athenians, -who had once more declared war against their ancient foe.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">278</span></p> - -<p>While the Spartans and the Athenians waged war one -against the other Epaminondas was not idle, for he subdued -the Bœotian cities which had dared to help Sparta while -Thebes was in her power.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas, too, won a great victory in 375 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> against -the Spartans at Orchomenus. He had with him only the -Sacred Band and a small company of cavalry when he -found himself unawares facing a large Spartan army.</p> - -<p>‘We are fallen into the midst of the enemy,’ cried one of -the Band. ‘Why so, more than they into the midst of us?’ -said Pelopidas.</p> - -<p>The rare confidence of their captain inspired the Band to -fight even more valiantly than usual, and to win a great -victory over the large army of the Spartans.</p> - -<p>This victory encouraged the Thebans so much that in -the following year they succeeded in banishing the Spartans -from Bœotia.</p> - -<p>Thebes was now at the head of the Bœotian Confederacy, -just as Sparta was ruler of the Laconian Confederacy. -Four years later, in 371 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, the Greek States met to arrange -terms of peace among themselves.</p> - -<p>It was agreed that each city should be treated as independent. -But when Agesilaus, king of Sparta, rose to take -the oath, he took it not alone for his own city, but for -the cities that belonged to her allies as well.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas sprang to his feet to remonstrate, saying -that if Agesilaus was allowed to take the oath for the allied -cities, he too must be permitted to take it for all the cities -of Bœotia.</p> - -<p>The Spartan king, angry with the bold demand of the -Theban, taunted him with taking away the liberty of the -Bœotian cities.</p> - -<p>‘And what do you do with the liberty of the cities of -Laconia?’ retorted Epaminondas.</p> - -<p>Agesilaus was astonished at what he considered the -insolence of the Theban. In a rage he snatched up the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">279</span> -treaty of peace, struck out the name of Thebes, crying that -if the Thebans wished war they should have it. The other -cities signed the treaty, so Sparta and Thebes were left to -settle their quarrel alone.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas hastened back to Thebes, where he was -at once chosen general of the Theban army.</p> - -<p>Without delay he set out to secure a pass by which he -thought the Spartans would attempt to enter Bœotia.</p> - -<p>But the Spartans, led by Cleombrotus, one of their kings, -did not try to enter by the pass. Finding a narrow mountain -track, they succeeded in eluding Epaminondas, and marching -within eight miles of Thebes.</p> - -<p>Here, on the plain of Leuctra, the Spartans encamped -in 371 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span></p> - -<p>Near to Leuctra were the tombs of two Bœotian maidens. -Many years ago they had slain themselves, because of the -cruelty with which the Spartans had treated them.</p> - -<p>An old prophecy said that some day the Spartans would -be defeated at the tombs of the maidens. Epaminondas, -although he did not greatly believe in soothsayers, encouraged -his captains to fight by reminding them of this old saying.</p> - -<p>Before the battle Pelopidas had a strange dream. In -his dream he saw the two maidens of Leuctra alive and -wandering about the plain. Their father, too, was there, -and Pelopidas heard him say that if the Thebans wished -for victory, they must sacrifice to the gods a maiden with -chestnut hair.</p> - -<p>When he awoke, Pelopidas told his dream to the other -captains, and as they were wondering what to do, a colt of -a bright chestnut colour ran through the camp.</p> - -<p>‘So,’ cried a soothsayer, ‘the sacrifice is come. Expect -no other, but use that which the gods have sent.’</p> - -<p>Then the colt was solemnly offered in sacrifice at the -tombs of the maidens. And the army was content, for the -gods, they were sure, would give them the victory.</p> - -<p>Until now a Greek army had always been drawn out in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">280</span> -long, narrow line. But Epaminondas arranged his men in -a new way. His left wing was only a few men wide, but it -was fifty men deep, which made it unusually strong.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas with his Sacred Band was placed in front of -the heavy left wing, while the rest of the army was arranged -as usual.</p> - -<p>The Spartan cavalry attacked the Theban horse, but -it was soon driven from the field. Cleombrotus was with -his right wing and he now led it against the strong left wing -of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Bravely as the Spartans fought, they could not withstand -the onslaught of the left wing, led by the Sacred Band.</p> - -<p>Cleombrotus fell and was carried from the field, wounded -to death. The Spartans still struggled bravely, although -their king was slain. But when Epaminondas called to his -men, ‘Give me a step more and the day is ours,’ the Thebans -spurred on to one more effort, broke the Spartan line and -put it to flight. The Thebans had won the day, with but -little loss of life, while four hundred Spartans had been slain.</p> - -<p>Cleombrotus was the first Spartan king who had fallen -on a battlefield since the fatal day of Thermopylae.</p> - -<p>The terrible news of the defeat of Leuctra was sent to -Sparta, but the citizens were too well disciplined to show -the dismay which they must have felt.</p> - -<p>They had been beaten by the inhabitants of the dull -little town of Thebes, yet no sound of grief was heard in -their streets, nor was any sign of mourning to be seen.</p> - -<p>It was on a festive day that the fateful tidings reached -the city, and sacrifices were offered and games held as though -nothing had happened to interrupt the usual rites.</p> - -<p>Those whose friends had fled looked sullen and ashamed, -for it was counted a disgrace to leave a lost battlefield alive. -Those whose friends had fought to the death were to be -seen in the streets the following day, with faces that were -calm and content. Of such stern stuff were the Spartans -made.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">281</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXIII">CHAPTER LXXXIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE DEATH OF EPAMINONDAS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Thebes</span> was now the most powerful city in Greece. But -Epaminondas was not yet content. He wished to invade -Sparta.</p> - -<p>In November 370 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he marched with his army into -Arcadia, which lay to the north of Laconia. Here he was -joined by all those who wished to throw off the Spartan -yoke. His army soon numbered forty thousand, some -even say it was seventy thousand strong.</p> - -<p>Sparta could hardly believe that any one had dared to -invade her territory. She was used to fighting in other -states of Greece or in other countries, but it would be a -new experience if she was forced to fight for her own homes. -Yet there was Epaminondas and his army encamped within -sight of the city.</p> - -<p>The Spartan women had never before seen the smoke -of an enemy’s fire camp, and they gave way to despair, in -spite of their stern training in self-control.</p> - -<p>But the Theban general was too wise to attack the city. -He knew that the Spartans had gathered together a large -army, and that they would fight to the death for their homes. -So, satisfied that he had encamped in sight of Sparta, he -turned away, destroying the land through which he passed. -The Spartans were eager to follow and fight with the enemy -who had defied them, but their king refused to lead them -to battle.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas was not yet ready to leave Spartan territory. -He led his army to the country of Messenia, which the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">282</span> -Spartans had conquered many centuries before, banishing -or making slaves of the people.</p> - -<p>The Theban general roused the descendants of these -slaves, and encouraged them to build a new city on Mount -Ithomé, where Aristomenes had made his gallant stand -against the Spartans.</p> - -<p>While the first stones of the new city were being laid, the -sound of flutes was heard. When it was finished it was -named Messenia. A large piece of ground which belonged to -Sparta was given by Epaminondas to the citizens of the -new town. Those who had been slaves or Helots were now -free men.</p> - -<p>The army then marched back to Thebes, which it reached -four months after the time for which Epaminondas had been -appointed commander.</p> - -<p>In spite of all he had done for his country, his enemies -wished him to be punished, because he had not laid down -his command on the proper day. But he appealed to the -people, and they gladly made him, along with Pelopidas, -general for another year.</p> - -<p>When the year had passed, Epaminondas was treated -coldly, not only by his enemies but by the people also, -because he had failed to surprise and take the city of -Corinth.</p> - -<p>In Thessaly at this time there was a cruel king named -Alexander. So badly did he treat his subjects, that they -begged the Thebans to come to their help.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas was sent to Thessaly to punish Alexander, -unless he promised to treat his people less harshly. The -king was forced to listen to the Theban general, but he was -angry because Pelopidas had dared to interfere with him -and he resolved to punish him.</p> - -<p>For some time the king found no opportunity to reach -his enemy, but at length Pelopidas was foolish enough to -go through Thessaly with only a few followers.</p> - -<p>Alexander was overjoyed to have the general in his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">283</span> -power, and he at once sent a band of men to capture him -and throw him into prison.</p> - -<p>But the Thebans were very angry when they heard that -their favourite general was a prisoner, and they determined -to set him free. So they sent a large army into Thessaly -to rescue Pelopidas.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas went with the army as an ordinary soldier, -and you can imagine how he must have longed to be at its -head, so that he might himself deliver his friend.</p> - -<p>The Theban generals were not clever, and though they -did all they could to conquer the army that Alexander sent -against them, they soon saw that the battle was going -against them.</p> - -<p>Then they showed that if they were not clever they were -wise, for they went to Epaminondas, and begged him to -take command of the army.</p> - -<p>But it was too late for even a clever general to rescue -Pelopidas, and all Epaminondas could do was to save the -Theban army from being destroyed.</p> - -<p>The Thebans were so grateful to Epaminondas for his -help that they made him general once more, and sent him -back to Thessaly with a larger army that he might save -his friend.</p> - -<p>Alexander knew that he need not hope to conquer the -great Theban general, and a few days after Epaminondas -entered Thessaly, the king set Pelopidas free. He then -asked the Thebans to make peace with him.</p> - -<p>Three years later, in 364 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, Pelopidas was ordered to -go at the head of an army against his old enemy.</p> - -<p>As he was ready to leave Thebes, the sun was eclipsed -and the soothsayers did not hesitate to say that this was a -bad omen. Many of the soldiers were afraid to march, -and Pelopidas was too angry to wait to force them to go -with him, so he set out with only a few men. When he -reached Thessaly he bade all those who hated the tyrant to -join him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">284</span></p> - -<p>Thousands who had groaned under the cruelty of the -king flocked to his side, but even then the army of Alexander -was twice as large as his.</p> - -<p>The two forces met at a place called Cynoscephalæ, where -a great battle was fought.</p> - -<p>Pelopidas led his men well, and himself fought so bravely -that the battle was all but won in spite of the greater -strength of the enemy. Suddenly Pelopidas caught sight -of Alexander, and forgetting everything save his desire to -avenge his imprisonment, he sprang forward to slay the -tyrant. Ere his followers could reach him, he himself was -struck down and killed.</p> - -<p>Alexander was defeated and his kingdom was taken from -him. But the Thessalians could not rejoice, because Pelopidas, -to whom they owed their deliverance, had been slain. -They buried him with great pomp on the field where he had -fallen.</p> - -<p>Epaminondas was filled with grief at the loss of his dear -friend. He tried to forget his sorrow in serving his country.</p> - -<p>In 362 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he fought at Mantinea against the Spartans, -on the field where long before he had saved the life of Pelopidas.</p> - -<p>Never had Epaminondas fought more bravely than on -this day, leading the Bœotians against the foe ‘as a war-galley -ploughs through the waves with its beak.’</p> - -<p>The victory was well-nigh gained, when a Spartan thrust -his pike through the breast of Epaminondas. He fell, and -his men carried him off the field to a little hill, from which -the battle could be seen.</p> - -<p>For a short time the great general lay unconscious, but -at length he opened his eyes and asked if his shield was -safe. He was told that it was safe and that the battle -was won.</p> - -<p>Then he begged to see his two chief officers. They -had fallen on the field, and when the news was broken to -him, the dying man said,</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">285</span></p> - -<p>‘Then you had better make peace.’</p> - -<p>The head of the spear that had struck the general was -still in the wound. As it was withdrawn he breathed -his last.</p> - -<p>It was Epaminondas who had made Thebes great. After -his death she slowly slipped back into her old insignificant -position.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">286</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXIV">CHAPTER LXXXIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE TWO BROTHERS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> city of Corinth stood upon the narrow isthmus that -joined the mainland of Greece to the Peloponnesian peninsula. -She had two harbours, a large fleet, and she carried -on a prosperous trade with other countries.</p> - -<p>As the city grew strong and populous, she began to plant -colonies in other lands. One of the wealthiest of these -colonies was the town of Syracuse in Sicily.</p> - -<p>In 346 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Syracuse was in the power of a tyrant named -Dionysius. The other cities in Sicily would have been in -the same plight had their inhabitants not fled to a neighbouring -town, and sought the aid of a powerful prince named -Icetes. Icetes had a large army, and with its help they -hoped to be able to overthrow Dionysius.</p> - -<p>But trouble after trouble overtook the people, for the -Carthaginians had sailed from Africa and had reached their -shores. Sicily was in despair lest they should conquer the -island and make it their own.</p> - -<p>In their distress, the Sicilians sent messengers to Corinth, -their mother-city, to beg her to help them to get rid of both -the Carthaginians and Dionysius.</p> - -<p>Icetes pretended to approve of this, but no sooner had -the ambassadors set out for Corinth than he made friends -with the Carthaginians. He hoped that if they drove -Dionysius away, he himself would become tyrant of Sicily.</p> - -<p>In Corinth, about twenty years earlier, there dwelt two -brothers of noble birth—one was named Timophanes, the -other Timoleon. Never were two brothers more unlike<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">287</span> -save that both were brave. Timophanes was cruel and -ambitious, while Timoleon was gentle and content. Yet -under his quiet ways Timoleon had one strong passion and -that was the love he bore his country.</p> - -<p>Timophanes was a captain in the Corinthian army; his -brother served in the ranks.</p> - -<p>Once when the captain was sent against a neighbouring -state, he was thrown from his horse, which had been wounded. -He fell close to the enemy and his men fled, leaving him in -danger of being taken prisoner.</p> - -<p>Timoleon saw what had happened, and rushing from the -ranks, he stood over Timophanes with his shield, and defended -him from the spears which were being hurled at him by the -enemy. Although he himself was sorely wounded, he never -flinched. But at length his comrades rushed to his aid and -drove off the foe. Timoleon had saved his brother’s life.</p> - -<p>Not long after this, Timophanes was given the command -of four hundred foreign soldiers. This pleased the captain, -but to the dismay of the citizens he used the troops to make -himself tyrant of the city.</p> - -<p>All who dared to oppose him he put to death, while he -ruled so harshly that he was hated and feared by everyone.</p> - -<p>Timoleon was ashamed of his brother’s behaviour. He -begged him to treat the people more kindly, and if he must -rule at least to rule with justice. But Timophanes first -mocked at his brother’s words, and then he grew angry and -refused to listen to them.</p> - -<p>Gentle as Timoleon was, he could be strong when there -was need to be so. In a short time he went again to his -brother, taking with him two friends who used to admire -Timophanes.</p> - -<p>Together the three men besought the tyrant to give up -the power he had so wrongfully seized, and to serve his -country in an upright way.</p> - -<p>Again Timophanes laughed at his friends, but when they -persisted in their entreaties he grew angry, and rudely bade<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">288</span> -them begone. Then Timoleon hid his face in his cloak and -wept, while the others put his brother to death.</p> - -<p>The Corinthians, for the most part, praised Timoleon -because he loved his country so well that he sacrificed his -brother for her sake. But there were some citizens who -blamed Timoleon for allowing his brother to be put to death -before his eyes. His mother refused to see him and called -down upon him the curses of the gods. This pained Timoleon -more than anything else, and he begged her to see him, if it -were but once. But she would not allow him to enter her house.</p> - -<p>Timoleon loved his mother, and her treatment made him so -sad that he refused either to eat or to drink. He resolved to -starve himself to death rather than endure his mother’s -reproaches.</p> - -<p>His friends did all they could to comfort him, and at -length they succeeded in persuading him to eat. But his -sorrow was too great to let him stay in Corinth, so he left -the city, and for several years he lived by himself. Even -when he returned to Corinth, he still refused to take part in -any public business.</p> - -<p>Timoleon was fifty years old when in 346 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the Syracusans -sent to the Corinthians to beg for help against the -Carthaginians.</p> - -<p>The Corinthians determined to send an army to Sicily -to help their fellow-countrymen, but they could find no one -willing to go at its head.</p> - -<p>Some one proposed that Timoleon should be made commander -of the force that had been raised, and he was at once -appointed.</p> - -<p>Perhaps Timoleon thought that it was now time that he -should do something for his country; in any case he undertook -the task that was given him with goodwill.</p> - -<p>One worthy citizen bade Timoleon act ‘like a man of -worth and gallantry. For,’ said he, ‘if you do bravely in -this service we shall believe that you delivered us from a -tyrant; but if otherwise, that you killed your brother.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">289</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXV">CHAPTER LXXXV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">TIMOLEON SENDS DIONYSIUS TO CORINTH</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Timoleon</span> was ready to sail to Sicily with a fleet of seven -vessels and a force of about one thousand men, when a -message from Icetes reached the Corinthians.</p> - -<p>The traitor told them it was useless to try to help the -people of Sicily, for he had joined the Carthaginians, and -their combined army would easily crush any force that was -sent against them.</p> - -<p>This made the Corinthians so angry that they at once -added two hundred soldiers to Timoleon’s small army, as -well as three vessels to his fleet.</p> - -<p>Even so, Timoleon’s task seemed hopeless. Athens, with -hundreds of ships and with tens of thousands of men, had -failed to take Syracuse. How then could the Corinthian -hope to do so with his handful of men and his small fleet?</p> - -<p>Before he sailed, Timoleon journeyed to Delphi to offer -sacrifices to Apollo. As he prayed in the temple, a wreath -slipped from its place and fell upon his head. It seemed -to Timoleon that Apollo was already crowning him with -victory.</p> - -<p>At length all was ready, and the army embarked and -set sail with a favourable wind. Suddenly a bright flame -leaped out from the sky and hovered over the ship in which -Timoleon sailed. The flame soon changed into a torch -which guided the ships until they reached Rhegium, a town -in Sicily.</p> - -<p>Here Timoleon learned that Icetes had already defeated -Dionysius, who was now shut up in the citadel of Syracuse,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">290</span> -and that he had sent the Carthaginians with twenty warships -to Rhegium to keep the Corinthians from reaching Sicily.</p> - -<p>Timoleon had only ten vessels, and he knew it would be -impossible to leave Rhegium unless he could in some way -cheat the enemy.</p> - -<p>So he pretended to agree to Icetes’ demands, and then -begged the Carthaginian generals to go with him to the -assembly to tell the people what they had agreed. Meanwhile -he had given orders to his fleet to be ready to sail -the moment he returned.</p> - -<p>In the assembly the generals and the people of Rhegium -began to talk, and they grew so interested in what they were -saying that they paid very little attention to Timoleon. The -generals indeed forgot all about him, which was just what -the Corinthians had hoped would happen.</p> - -<p>By and by when the conversation seemed most engrossing, -Timoleon slipped quietly out of the hall and hastened -to the harbour. The moment he was on board his ship, -the fleet set sail and before long reached Sicily in safety.</p> - -<p>Without their generals, the Carthaginians had not known -what to do, and while they had hesitated Timoleon had -escaped. But when the Carthaginian generals found out -how they had been tricked, their indignation knew no bounds.</p> - -<p>Not far from the small town at which the Corinthians -landed was a city named Adranum, where there was a -temple consecrated to the god Adranus. This deity was -reverenced throughout the whole island.</p> - -<p>The city was divided into two parties, one of which sent -for Icetes, the other for Timoleon, to help them each against -the other.</p> - -<p>Both generals at once set out for Adranum, Icetes with -five thousand, Timoleon with only twelve hundred men. -On the second day the Corinthians found that in spite of -all their haste they had been outstripped by the army of -Icetes. It was already encamped close to the city.</p> - -<p>The Corinthian officers begged Timoleon to order a halt,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">291</span> -as there seemed no need for further haste, and their men -needed food and rest after their hurried march.</p> - -<p>But Timoleon wished to take the enemy by surprise. -He thought that if they did not delay they would reach -Icetes and his men while they were putting up their tents -and preparing supper. So instead of listening to his officers, -he seized his shield, and going to the head of his army he bade -them follow him and he would lead them to victory. The -enemy’s camp was still three and a half miles away, but the -Corinthians marched on bravely.</p> - -<p>As Timoleon had hoped, he reached the camp of the -enemy while the men were getting ready a meal and were -unprepared to fight.</p> - -<p>Before they were aware of his approach, Timoleon had -fallen upon them and put them to flight, taking the camp -as well as many prisoners.</p> - -<p>The people of Adranum at once opened their gates to -the victorious general, and told him that when the battle -began, the doors of their temple suddenly opened of their -own accord. On the threshold stood their god, holding his -javelin in his hand. It was trembling as though the god -was weary with its weight.</p> - -<p>Other cities, when they heard of the victory of the -Corinthians, gladly entered into alliance with them.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Dionysius, shut up in Syracuse by Icetes, was -growing tired of his position, and food was becoming scarce -in the citadel. He, too, thought it would be well to make -terms with Timoleon.</p> - -<p>So he sent to the Corinthian general to offer to surrender -the citadel if he would promise to send him in safety to -Corinth.</p> - -<p>When Timoleon heard this he felt more than ever sure -that the gods were on his side. He gladly accepted the -tyrant’s offer, and at once sent two of his officers and a -company of men to receive the keys of the citadel.</p> - -<p>Dionysius treated the Corinthians well, leaving to them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">292</span> -a number of horses, a store of weapons and two thousand -soldiers. He himself escaped from the city and fled to the -camp of Timoleon. Soon afterwards he set sail for Corinth.</p> - -<p>Tidings of his arrival was sent before him, and as the -ship drew near to the harbour, the people gathered there in -excited groups. They had often shuddered at the tale of -the cruel deeds of the man who was now coming to their -city, shorn of his power. They were eager to see him.</p> - -<p>A few weeks later they wondered if this man had really -been as cruel as they had been told. They saw him contentedly -loitering in the market-place or spending long hours -in the shops of the perfumers, and it seemed to them as -though he must always have been as harmless as he was -now. In later years the tyrant is said to have taught the -boys and girls of Corinth to read, and he also trained -those who wished to sing in public.</p> - -<p>Timoleon had not been fifty days in Sicily before Dionysius -was on his way to Corinth. The Corinthians were so pleased -with their general that they determined to send him reinforcements, -both of cavalry and infantry. But it was some -time before the fresh troops reached Timoleon, for the -Carthaginian fleet was waiting near the coast of Italy to -bar the way.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">293</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXVI">CHAPTER LXXXVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ICETES TRIES TO SLAY TIMOLEON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> small band of Corinthians who now held the citadel of -Syracuse was closely besieged by Icetes. But soon he grew -tired of waiting for it to surrender and hit, as he thought, on -a quicker way of driving the enemy out of the island.</p> - -<p>Without Timoleon he would not fear the Corinthians, so -he resolved to get rid of him without delay. He hired two -foreign soldiers and sent them to Adranum with orders to -kill the general.</p> - -<p>Timoleon went about without a bodyguard, as Icetes -knew. When the assassins reached the city, he was in -the temple, sacrificing to the gods, for it was a festival.</p> - -<p>With their daggers hidden beneath their cloaks, the -men slipped in among the crowd of worshippers and were -soon standing together, close to the altar.</p> - -<p>As they hesitated to strike the fatal blow, a sword -flashed out behind, and one of them fell slain to the ground.</p> - -<p>His companion, in his terror, forgot to kill Timoleon, -and laid hold of the altar lest he too should be slain by an -unseen foe.</p> - -<p>When his terror grew a little less he did not try to obey -Icetes’ orders, but begged Timoleon to spare his life and he -would tell him everything.</p> - -<p>Timoleon promised that his life should be safe, and then -the miserable man confessed that he and his friend had been -hired by Icetes to kill the Corinthian general.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the stranger who had killed one of the -assassins had fled to the top of a great precipice that overlooked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">294</span> -the city. Here he was captured, and as he was -hurried before Timoleon he told the guards that the man -he had slain was one who years before had killed his father. -He pleaded that he had done right to punish the evil-doer.</p> - -<p>It may be that the Corinthians and the citizens of -Adranum agreed with their prisoner; in any case they were -so grateful that he had saved the life of Timoleon that they -gave him a gift of money and set him free.</p> - -<p>As the attack on Timoleon had failed, the Carthaginians -thought they would try to frighten the citadel of Syracuse -into surrendering. So they decked the masts of their ships -with wreaths, and hung Grecian shields over the sides of -their vessels. Then with shouts of victory they sailed -toward the harbour.</p> - -<p>From the citadel, the garrison saw the ships and heard -the shouts, but it was not so easily deceived as Mago, the -general of the Carthaginians, had expected. The Corinthians -were sure that Timoleon would have managed to let -them know had he been defeated, so they laughed at the -enemy’s trick and stayed safe within their walls.</p> - -<p>Soon after this the reinforcements sent from Corinth -joined Timoleon, and he then marched to Syracuse.</p> - -<p>Mago had already begun to doubt the loyalty of Icetes. -He feared that he was trying to make terms with Timoleon. -When, a little later, he saw the soldiers of both generals -talking together in a friendly way as they fished for eels in -the marshes near to the city, he grew more suspicious. -Day by day his fears grew, until at length in a panic, he -ordered his troops to embark and set sail for Africa.</p> - -<p>The very day after Mago had deserted his post, Timoleon -himself reached Syracuse. He looked at the empty harbour. -Where was the enemy? Not a single Carthaginian vessel -was to be seen.</p> - -<p>When Timoleon learned how Mago had fled, he laughed at -his cowardice, and still laughing he offered a reward to anyone -who would tell him where the Carthaginians had hidden.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">295</span></p> - -<p>But although Mago had fled, Icetes and his men still -held the city. But the wisdom of Timoleon and the valour -of his troops soon put them to flight, and without the loss -of one Corinthian soldier the city was taken.</p> - -<p>This wonderful success was said by everyone to be due to -the good fortune that followed all that Timoleon undertook.</p> - -<p>The citizens of Syracuse thought that Timoleon would -now make himself tyrant. To their surprise as well as to -their joy, he proclaimed that they themselves were to -govern the city. He ordered the public crier to go through -the streets, bidding all those who were willing, to come -with pickaxe and hammer to pull down the citadel which -Dionysius had built.</p> - -<p>The people did not need to be asked twice. With right -goodwill they destroyed not only the citadel, but the palaces -in which the tyrants of Syracuse had dwelt. And while -they pulled down the walls, flutes sounded and women -danced and sang. On the places where the palaces had -stood, Timoleon ordered courts of justice to be built.</p> - -<p>So neglected and forsaken had the city been during the -rule of the tyrants, as well as during the siege, that grass -was growing in the market-place, grass enough to feed the -soldiers’ horses.</p> - -<p>All over Sicily, cities had been deserted, and in some -of them deer and wild boars wandered up and down the streets.</p> - -<p>Timoleon saw that if the island was to grow prosperous -again, those who had fled must be brought back, and new -citizens must come and settle in the different cities.</p> - -<p>So he sent to Corinth to ask her to send out colonists -to the island. This she did, and she also sent vessels to Asia -to bring back to their island home those who had taken -refuge there. Soon sixty thousand citizens were added to -the inhabitants of Sicily.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">296</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXVII">CHAPTER LXXXVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF CRIMISUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> exiles who had returned to Sicily, and the colonists who -had come to settle there, were needed, not only to till the -ground but to defend the island. For the Carthaginians, -angry with Mago’s failure, now sent to Sicily an enormous -army, seventy thousand strong.</p> - -<p>The Syracusans were frightened to see so large a force, -and not more than three thousand men were willing to go -with Timoleon against the enemy. He hired four thousand -soldiers, but of these one thousand deserted before a battle -was fought.</p> - -<p>Near the river Crimisus the Carthaginians encamped, -and thither Timoleon hastened with his faint-hearted army.</p> - -<p>On their way they met a number of mules laden with -baskets of parsley. Now the Sicilians were used to place -wreaths of parsley upon the tombs of their dead, so they -were sure that it was a bad omen to meet the mules, and -they grew still more uneasy.</p> - -<p>But Timoleon laughed at their fears, telling them that -in Corinth the victors at the games were crowned with -chaplets of parsley. He then lifted some from the baskets, -and twisting it into a wreath he placed it on his head, his -officers first and then the soldiers following his example.</p> - -<p>At that moment two eagles flew toward the army. One -carried in its talons a snake, which it had killed, the other -uttered loud cries as of victory. Here was a good omen! -It was ever a sign of success to see an eagle, and the soldiers -thanked the gods and plucked up courage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">297</span></p> - -<p>Before long Timoleon led his men to the top of a hill that -looked down on the river Crimisus. But at first he could -see nothing, for a thick mist veiled the river.</p> - -<p>The hill was still hidden from sight when the mist lifted -from the river, and Timoleon saw that the Carthaginians -had begun to cross to the other side, but they had no idea -that the enemy was near.</p> - -<p>Now was the time, thought Timoleon, to charge the -enemy, while it was crossing the river. So bidding the -trumpets sound, he seized his shield and ordered his troops -to advance.</p> - -<p>The courage of the men had returned, and with cheers -they rushed down the hill and charged the Carthaginians, -who, taken by surprise, yet fought bravely. They wore -heavy armour and their breastplates were able to resist the -thrust of the Corinthian spears. Soon the men were at close -quarters with swords drawn, and a terrible struggle began.</p> - -<p>It seemed that now one side, now the other would conquer. -While the victory still hung in the balance, a violent storm -broke over the battlefield.</p> - -<p>The thunder crashed so that the orders of the officers -could no longer be heard. Lightning flashed in the eyes -of the startled horses and blinded them, while torrents of -rain and hail dashed in the faces of the Carthaginians.</p> - -<p>As the ground grew muddy, the soldiers slipped and -fell to the ground. The Sicilians, who wore light armour, -easily struggled to their feet, but their foes found it almost -impossible to rise.</p> - -<p>Soon the river overflowed its banks and swept across -the battlefield. This was more than the Carthaginians -could bear, and they turned and fled, but many were overtaken -by the swift-footed Sicilians and slain.</p> - -<p>The victorious army found more spoil than they had -thought possible—a thousand breastplates and ten thousand -shields of marvellous workmanship, as well as ornaments of -gold and silver were taken.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">298</span></p> - -<p>When tidings were sent to Corinth of the great victory -of Crimisus, the richest of the spoil was also sent to the -city.</p> - -<p>On the booty were written these words, ‘The people of -Corinth and Timoleon, their general, having redeemed the -Greeks of Sicily from Carthaginian bondage, make oblation -of these to the gods, in grateful acknowledgement of their -favour.’</p> - -<p>Sicily was now free, and the people in their gratitude -begged Timoleon to become their king. But this he would not -do, nor would he even keep the command of the army. His -wife and children whom he had left in Corinth joined him, -and for a time he lived with them in Syracuse as quietly -as any other citizen. When he left the city it was to live -in a beautiful country house which was given to him by the -grateful people of Syracuse.</p> - -<p>As he grew older, Timoleon’s eyesight failed, and at length -he became quite blind. But old and blind as he was the -people did not forget all that he had done for them, and they -loved and trusted him as in happier days.</p> - -<p>If trouble arose in the assembly, they would beg him to -come to give them his advice. And the old man would -order his car, which was drawn by mules, and be driven to -the hall. Here he would sit and listen to the troubles of -the people, and when he spoke it was seldom that his words -were not obeyed.</p> - -<p>Three or four years after the battle of Crimisus, Timoleon -died. The grief of the Syracusans was deep, for they had -loved their deliverer well.</p> - -<p>Thousands of men and women, clad in white and crowned -with garlands, followed his body as it was carried slowly -through the city, past the places where once the palaces -of the tyrants had stood.</p> - -<p>As the bier was laid on the funeral pile, a herald cried -aloud, ‘The people of Syracuse inter Timoleon the Corinthian -at the public expense and decree that his memory be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">299</span> -honoured for ever, by games held each year, the prizes to -be competed for in music, in horse-races and all sorts of -bodily exercises, and this because he suppressed tyrants, -overthrew the barbarian, replenished the principalities that -were desolate with new inhabitants, and then restored the -Sicilian Greeks to the privilege of living by their own laws.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">300</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXVIII">CHAPTER LXXXVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DEMOSTHENES WISHES TO BECOME AN ORATOR</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Demosthenes,</span> the great Athenian orator, was born in 384 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> -He was a shy and delicate boy, and often stammered when -he spoke. Some of his companions were cruel enough to -laugh at him and even to imitate his stammer. So he would -often slip away from his playmates, but when they saw that -he did not join in their games, they but laughed at him the -more.</p> - -<p>The father of Demosthenes was a rich man, He died -when his little son was seven years old, leaving his fortune -to his child. But the guardians who took charge of -Demosthenes and his wealth were careless and dishonest -men. Some of the boy’s money they lost, some they spent -on themselves.</p> - -<p>As the child grew older, his guardians found that there -was little money left to use for his education. They could -not afford to get the best teachers, nor did they pay well -those whom they employed. So that Demosthenes was -often taught carelessly or not at all.</p> - -<p>Of the boy’s mother we are told little, save that she was -kind to her delicate little son and tended him with care. -But she, too, died while he was still young.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes did not learn his lessons well or quickly, -but he was interested in all that went on around him, and -he soon began to distrust his guardians. Long before he -was sixteen years old, he knew that they had lost his money, -and even then he hoped that some day he would be able to -punish them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">301</span></p> - -<p>The boy loved the beautiful city of Athens in which he -grew up. Never did he tire of gazing at the wonderful -temples, the noble statues which made her renowned -throughout Greece.</p> - -<p>There were in these as in other days famous orators in -Athens, to whom the citizens were ever eager to listen. For -they were well pleased to be reminded of the glorious days -of Thermopylae, and of Marathon, though now they were -not anxious to win glory on the battlefield. They had -grown rich and indolent, and were content to stay at home, -content to go to games and to theatres.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes often heard his teachers talk of the great -orators of Athens, and he wished that he might listen to -their eloquent speeches.</p> - -<p>One day Callistratus, a famous orator, was to speak at -a great trial that was taking place in the city.</p> - -<p>The boy begged to be allowed to go, and his tutor at -length agreed to find a corner in the hall where the boy -might sit to see and to hear all that went on.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes could imagine no greater treat than to be -there, hidden away in the midst of the crowd, to listen to -Callistratus.</p> - -<p>The speech was a great one, and when it was over the -Athenians crowded round the orator, eager to applaud, while -many followed him to his home. Demosthenes came away -with his ambition roused. He said to himself, ‘I too will -be an orator and make the people do as I wish. They shall -applaud me, even as they have applauded Callistratus -to-day.’</p> - -<p>But another reason that made him wish to speak in -public was that he might expose the dishonesty of his -guardians in the law courts. For he could not be content -until they were punished.</p> - -<p>When the boy had made up his mind to be an orator -he lost no time in beginning to study. He knew that he -must work hard if he would succeed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">302</span></p> - -<p>For two years he read history, wrote speeches, and when -it was possible, went to hear famous orators. When he was -eighteen he thought that he was ready to speak in public. -So he went to the law courts and accused his guardians of -theft.</p> - -<p>At first little notice was taken of what the lad said, but -he pleaded his cause again and again, until at length he -won his suit, and his guardians were punished. But it was -too late to recover the money, which was now nearly all -lost.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">303</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_LXXXIX">CHAPTER LXXXIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DEMOSTHENES THE GREATEST ORATOR OF ATHENS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Demosthenes</span> had spoken in the law courts, but he was not -content. His great ambition now was to speak in the -assembly of Athens. He wished to remind the Athenians -of their glorious past, he wished to encourage them to fight -against the enemies of their country.</p> - -<p>His first attempt was a failure. His voice was weak, -his sentences long, and before he had finished what he wished -to say, the people were laughing and jeering, so that he was -forced to sit down.</p> - -<p>As he left the assembly he was so unhappy that he -thought he would never speak to the people again. He -walked along the streets, scarcely knowing, in his distress, -where he went.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he felt some one touch his arm, and looking -up he saw a very old man who had been in the assembly, -and had heard him speak. He had seen how disappointed -Demosthenes was as he left the hall, and he had determined -to encourage him. So first he praised the crestfallen -orator, saying that his speech had reminded him of the great -orator Pericles, and then he upbraided the young man for -being so easily discouraged by the laughter of the people.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes allowed himself to be comforted and made -up his mind to try again, thinking that perhaps after all -he would be able to make the people listen to him. But in -spite of all his efforts he could not hold their attention, and -he left the assembly, hiding his face in his cloak that none -might see his sorrow.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">304</span></p> - -<p>An actor, named Satyrus, who knew him well, followed -him home, for he guessed that Demosthenes would be in -despair. The orator did not hide his trouble from his -friend. ‘The citizens will listen to any one, even to those -who have not studied, rather than to me,’ he said in bitter -anger. ‘A sailor with a foolish story will make them applaud, -while if I tell them tales of the glorious deeds of their own -countrymen they pay no heed.’</p> - -<p>‘You say true, Demosthenes,’ answered Satyrus, ‘but -I will soon tell you how this is if you will recite to me some -lines from one of our great poets.’</p> - -<p>Demosthenes did as his friend asked. But although he -said the words correctly, his voice was dull and his attitude -was stiff and awkward.</p> - -<p>Satyrus said nothing when his friend ended, but himself -began to repeat the same lines. Yet you would scarcely -have known that they were the same, for the eyes of the actor -flashed, his voice rang clear, then sank to a whisper, his -body swayed now this way, now that, as he sought to make -the meaning of the poem plain.</p> - -<p>Then Demosthenes understood as he had never done -before how it was that his carefully studied speeches did -not interest the Athenians. He must not only read or recite -them, he must act them, so that the things of which he spoke -might become real to those who listened.</p> - -<p>From that day Demosthenes began to work in a different -way. He made one of the cellars of his house into a study, -that there, undisturbed, he might practise his voice and -gestures. He stayed in this strange study for two or three -months at a time, and lest he should be tempted to go to -theatres or games, he shaved one side of his head, ‘that -so for shame he might not go abroad, though he desired it -ever so much.’</p> - -<div id="if_i_304" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_304.jpg" width="1807" height="2501" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">He left the assembly, hiding his face in his cloak</div></div> - -<p>At other times to strengthen his voice he would go to -the seashore while a storm was raging, and putting pebbles -in his mouth he would try to make his words heard above<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">305</span> -the roar of the waves. He also recited speeches while he -was out of breath from running up some steep hill, and at -home he would stand before a large mirror to watch his -gestures and the expression of his face.</p> - -<p>And his hard work and perseverance were rewarded, -for Demosthenes became what he most desired to be, the -greatest orator of Athens. His enemies learned to fear his -speeches, his friends to count upon them to aid their cause.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes was thirty-three years of age when he made -his first speech against Philip of Macedon, who now, in -356 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, invaded Greece.</p> - -<p>The king would gladly have made an alliance with the -Athenians and gained their goodwill. But they, wishing to -recover Amphipolis, which he had taken from them, refused -to make peace.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes lost no opportunity to speak against Philip. -He reminded his countrymen that the king was ‘not the -man to rest’ content with that he has subdued, but is -always adding to his conquests, and casts his snare around -us while we sit at home postponing.’ In another speech -he told the Athenians that they chose their captains, ‘not -to fight, but to be displayed like dolls in the market-place.’</p> - -<p>These and other speeches against the king of Macedon -were called ‘The Philippics’ of Demosthenes, and still to-day, -if some one makes a speech against a special person, -although his name is not Philip, we call the speech a -‘Philippic.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">306</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XC">CHAPTER XC<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE SACRED WAR</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Philip</span> of Macedon began to reign in 359 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> When he -was sixteen years of age he was taken by Pelopidas as a -hostage to Thebes. Here he stayed for three years, reading -Greek literature and learning to love it, studying Greek art -and learning to admire it. The craft of war he gained from -the great Theban general Epaminondas.</p> - -<p>When Philip went back to Macedon as king, he trained -his army in the movements he had first seen used by the -Theban troops under their famous general.</p> - -<p>At this time a war called the Sacred War was going on -in Greece.</p> - -<p>Delphi, where the temple of Apollo stood, had been -seized by the Phocians, who were led by a bold commander -named Philomelus. The home of the Phocians was near -Mount Parnassus.</p> - -<p>In the temple vast treasures had been stored; these, said -Philomelus, should be safe as of old. But when he fortified -the city and brought a large army of soldiers to guard it, -the other Greek states said it was time to interfere—that -Delphi must be taken from the Phocians.</p> - -<p>Philomelus at once resolved to increase his army, but he -had no money to pay more soldiers. The Phocians had -already spent all that they possessed on the war, and the -citizens of Delphi had been so heavily taxed that they -could give no more.</p> - -<p>Money Philomelus must have! So he began to borrow -from the treasures of the temple, which he had promised -should be untouched. As the war went on he took more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">307</span> -gold, more of the sacred treasures, none of which he was able -to replace.</p> - -<p>When the Thebans and their allies met Philomelus, he -and his hired troops were soon put to flight. Philomelus -fled alone to the top of a precipice, pursued by the enemy. -He must either leap into the awful abyss or be captured by -the angry soldiers. In a moment he had made his choice, -and when the Thebans reached the spot where he had been -seen but a second before, he was no longer there.</p> - -<p>But other leaders replaced Philomelus, and they too -rifled the temple of Apollo.</p> - -<p>At length the Phocians grew so bold that they determined -to attack Philip of Macedon who had invaded -Thessaly, and drive him from Greek territory. They forced -the king to return to Macedon, but he soon came back with -a large army and the Phocians retreated to the famous -pass of Thermopylae. They hoped that Athens would help -them to hold the pass against Philip, but in spite of the -Philippics of Demosthenes, she did nothing.</p> - -<p>Alone, the Phocians were not strong enough to resist -Philip’s attack, and they were forced to surrender. The -pass, which the king had long resolved to gain, was in his -hand.</p> - -<p>When the Athenians heard of the disaster they were -dismayed, and when Demosthenes again urged them to -take up arms against the invaders, his appeal was not made -in vain.</p> - -<p>In August 338 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the united army of Athenians and -Thebans marched against the Macedonians, and met them -in the plain of Chæronea, where a great battle was fought.</p> - -<p>Philip’s famous son Alexander, who was then only -eighteen years old, was in command of one of the wings -of the Macedonian army. Young as he was, it was his -attack upon the Sacred Band of Thebans that determined -the battle.</p> - -<p>The Sacred Band fought to the last, and was cut down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">308</span> -where it stood. Soon the rest of the Greek army fled from -the fatal field, Demosthenes, who was among the foot -soldiers, taking flight with his comrades.</p> - -<p>On the roadside, not far from the town of Chæronea and -near to Thebes, is a tomb, where the fallen heroes of the -Sacred Band were laid.</p> - -<p>Standing over the tomb is the statue of a lion, now partly -in ruins, which was placed there as though to protect the -bodies of the slain.</p> - -<p>The victory of Philip at Chæronea left Athens, and indeed -all Greece, at the mercy of the king, and he treated her well. -His chief ambition was to conquer the kingdom of Persia, -and the army he meant to lead against the great king was -to be made up of Greeks as well as of Macedonians.</p> - -<p>But in 336 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, before his plans could be carried out, -Philip was murdered.</p> - -<p>When Greece heard the tidings she rejoiced, for now -again she hoped to be free. None was more glad than -Demosthenes, for he, as you know, had always been a bitter -enemy of the king.</p> - -<p>The orator was wearing black clothes at the time, because -he had but lately lost his daughter. When he heard that -Philip had been murdered, he put them away and clad himself -in gay garments, while he placed a wreath upon his head.</p> - -<p>Only one Athenian was found to reprove the Athenians -for their hasty and foolish joy.</p> - -<p>Phocion, who was both a general and an orator, said -gravely, ‘Nothing shows greater meanness of spirit than -expressions of joy at the death of an enemy. Remember -that the army you fought at Chæronea is lessened by only -one man.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">309</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCI">CHAPTER XCI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALEXANDER AND BUCEPHALUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Alexander,</span> the son of Philip of Macedon, became king in -336 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> The queen-mother adored her brave son and -dreamed of the great things he would do when he became a -man. She did all she could to awake his ambition, telling -him that he was descended from Achilles, the hero of Troy, -and bidding him, when he was older, strive to do nobler -deeds than his great ancestor had done. One of his tutors -called the young prince Achilles, while he named himself -Phœnix, after the tutor of the old Greek hero.</p> - -<p>The Iliad of Homer, which tells of the deeds of Achilles, -Alexander knew by heart. When he was a man he always -carried a copy with him on his campaigns. It is said that -he slept with it as well as his sword beneath his pillow.</p> - -<p>Alexander might almost have been a Spartan boy, so -simple was his training. He learned to ride, to race, to -swim, but he never cared to wrestle as did most lads of his -time. Nor would he offer prizes for such contests at the -games which were held each year.</p> - -<p>When the prince was asked if he would run in the -Olympic games, for he was fleet of foot, he answered, ‘Yes, -if I could have kings to race with me.’</p> - -<p>Even as a lad he was eager to win glory, and when he -heard of a great victory gained by his royal father, or of a -town that had been subdued by him, he was more sorry -than glad, and said to his companions, ‘My father will -make so many conquests that there will be nothing left for -me to win.’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">310</span></p> - -<p>One day, while Alexander was still a boy, a Greek from -Thessaly arrived at the court of Macedon, bringing with -him a noble horse, named Bucephalus, which he offered to -sell for £2600.</p> - -<p>Philip went with his son and his courtiers to look at the -horse and to test its powers. But when any one approached -or tried to mount, Bucephalus reared and kicked, and became -so unmanageable that the king, growing angry, bade the -Thessalian take the animal away.</p> - -<p>The prince had been watching the horse keenly, and as -he was being led away, the lad exclaimed, ‘What an -excellent horse do they lose for want of skill and courage -to manage him!’</p> - -<p>Philip heard what his son said, but at first he took no -notice of his words. But when the prince said the same -thing again and again, he looked at Alexander, and saw -that he was really sorry that the horse was being sent away.</p> - -<p>Then, half mocking, the king said, ‘Do you reproach -those who are older than yourself, as if you knew more and -were better able to manage him than they?’</p> - -<p>‘I could manage the horse better than others have done,’ -answered the prince.</p> - -<p>‘And if you fail what will you forfeit?’ asked the king.</p> - -<p>‘I will pay the whole price of the horse,’ said Alexander -quickly.</p> - -<p>The courtiers laughed at the confidence of the prince, -but paying no attention to them, he ran toward the horse -and seizing the bridle turned Bucephalus, so that he faced -the sun. For the prince had noticed that the steed was -afraid of his own shadow as it flitted backward and forward -with his every movement.</p> - -<p>After speaking quietly to the horse and patting him, the -prince flung aside the mantle he was wearing, and nimbly -mounted on his back. Using neither whip nor spur, he let -the animal choose his own pace. And Bucephalus was -content to go at a quiet trot.</p> - -<div id="if_i_310" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_310.jpg" width="1812" height="2506" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">He ran toward the horse and seized the bridle</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">311</span></p> - -<p>Gradually Alexander urged him on to a gallop, with -voice and spur. As the pace grew quicker and quicker, the -king looked on in fear lest the lad should be thrown. But -when he saw that the horse was well under control, and -that Alexander had turned and was coming back, he burst -into tears of joy, while the courtiers loudly applauded the -prince.</p> - -<p>As he leaped from the horse, Philip kissed him and said, -‘O my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy -of thyself, for Macedon is too little for thee.’</p> - -<p>Soon after this the king sent for a famous philosopher, -named Aristotle, to teach his son.</p> - -<p>Alexander was quick to learn, and his eager interest in -his studies pleased Aristotle. In after days, when the -prince had become a king and was adding kingdom after -kingdom to his possessions, he wrote to his old tutor, ‘I -assure you I had rather excel others in the knowledge of -what is excellent than in the extent of my power and -dominions.’</p> - -<p>When Philip was murdered, Alexander was twenty -years of age, ‘a stripling,’ Demosthenes said, making light -of his youth. But had Demosthenes known the character -of the prince, he would not have spoken thus slightingly -of his years.</p> - -<p>The orator not only rejoiced when Philip was murdered, -but he urged the people to rouse themselves and throw off -the yoke of Macedon. The old days when the Athenians -would not listen to Demosthenes were long past. Now -his matchless eloquence could hold them spellbound, even -when they refused to be guided by his advice. But in -Athens, as in many other cities, discontent had long been -smouldering, and fanned by his words it broke out into -a blaze.</p> - -<p>The young king found that he must put down rebellion -in Greece before he set out, as he wished to do, to conquer -Persia.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">312</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCII">CHAPTER XCII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALEXANDER AND DIOGENES</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> Alexander marched at the head of his army into -Thessaly, not a blow was struck. His presence seemed -enough to gain the allegiance of the Thessalians.</p> - -<p>The king then went to Corinth, where ambassadors from -many of the Greek states met him. Young as he was, they -chose Alexander to be general over the Greek troops which -were to go with the Macedonians to invade Asia.</p> - -<p>Every one in Corinth was eager to see the king. From -the surrounding towns, too, the people crowded into the -city, that they might look at the young monarch who was -going to lead their soldiers on so great an expedition.</p> - -<p>They did not dream of all that he would do, how he -would spread their customs, their language, their culture -over Asia first, and then over all the world. But looking -at him they knew that he would be a conqueror.</p> - -<p>Among those who wished to see Alexander were many -philosophers and great men. But one strange philosopher, -called Diogenes, showed no interest in the king.</p> - -<p>Alexander heard of this man, who was said to sit all -day in a tub or barrel. As Diogenes did not come to see -him, he resolved to go to see Diogenes. He found the -philosopher outside the gates of Corinth, sitting in a tub -which was placed so that the rays of the sun fell upon -him.</p> - -<p>When the philosopher saw the king and the courtiers -who accompanied him, he roused himself from his meditations -and looked at the young sovereign.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">313</span></p> - -<p>Alexander spoke kindly to him, and asked if there was -anything he wished.</p> - -<p>‘Yes,’ answered Diogenes, ‘I would have you not stand -between me and the sun.’</p> - -<p>The courtiers were indignant at such an answer, but -Alexander laughed, and being pleased with the philosopher’s -indifference to his rank, he said to them, ‘If I were not -Alexander, I should like to be Diogenes.’</p> - -<p>Soon after this the king, believing that he had secured -the fealty of Greece, went back to Macedon. In the spring -of 335 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he hoped to set out to invade Asia.</p> - -<p>But the wild tribes on the borders of Macedon began to -be restless, and the king was forced to subdue these foes -nearer home before he went to Asia. While he was driving -them beyond his borders, a rumour that he was dead reached -Greece.</p> - -<p>If Alexander was dead it was a good chance, thought -the Thebans, to drive the Macedonians from their citadel, and -without waiting to find out if the rumour was true they -revolted. Demosthenes tried to persuade the Athenians to -go to the help of the Thebans, but although his eloquence -moved them it had not power to make them act.</p> - -<p>The Thebans soon found to their cost that Alexander -was not dead. He was, indeed, on his way to Greece to -punish them for revolting.</p> - -<p>Outside the walls of their city he halted, so that the -citizens might submit, if so they willed. But they, still -dreaming of liberty, refused to surrender.</p> - -<p>Then Alexander attacked the city and captured it with -little difficulty. He determined to give the other cities -in Greece a lesson by punishing the rebels severely. So -he pulled down their houses and utterly destroyed their -town, leaving untouched only the temples, and a house in -which a great poet named Pindar had dwelt.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes was bitterly disappointed that the Athenians -had not sent to help the Thebans. He feared, too, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">314</span> -Alexander would now march against Athens, and destroy -her as he had destroyed Thebes. But the king only sent -to demand that eight of the orators who had done their best -to incite the people to rebel against him, should be sent to -him as hostages.</p> - -<p>Demosthenes would have been among the eight, and he -urged the Athenians not to ‘hand over their sheep-dogs to -the wolf.’ But Phocion said that it would be wise to do -as Alexander asked.</p> - -<p>At length the assembly sent Damocles to the king to -plead the cause of his comrades, for he was, after Demosthenes, -the greatest orator in Athens.</p> - -<p>Alexander listened to Damocles and was persuaded to -leave the orators in their own city, for he believed that the -fate of Thebes would make Athens afraid to rebel.</p> - -<p>Of the loyalty of the Greek troops the king was sure, -for were they not going to avenge the invasion of Greece by -Xerxes?</p> - -<p>The king did not mean to return to Macedon to reign, -rather did he dream of a throne in one of the great cities -which he was going to conquer. So before he marched -away, he divided his royal domain and his wealth among -his friends.</p> - -<p>Perdiccas, one of his friends, was dismayed at the -generosity of the king, and asked him what he was keeping -for himself.</p> - -<p>‘Hope,’ answered Alexander. Then Perdiccas refused -to accept his share of the king’s gifts, saying, ‘We who go -forth to fight with you need share only in your hope.’</p> - -<p>Antipater, one of his father’s generals, Alexander left -in Macedon to look after his kingdom.</p> - -<p>At length in the spring of 334 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, after saying good-bye -to his mother, whom he dearly loved, the king marched with -an enormous force to the Hellespont and crossed it. The -great expedition had really begun.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">315</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCIII">CHAPTER XCIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF GRANICUS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Before</span> Alexander crossed the Hellespont he had seen that -the opposite shore was held by his Macedonians. While the -army landed he himself sailed to the ‘Harbour of the -Achæans.’ Midway in the strait he took a golden dish in -his hand, and flung from it an offering to Poseidon and to -the Nereids. It is said that the king himself steered the -ship in which he sailed to the Mysian shore.</p> - -<p>Crossing the plain of Troy, the king climbed the hill of -Ilion, and here in a forsaken little town he found a temple -to Athene, to whom he offered sacrifice. He left his own -armour in the temple, taking in its place an ancient suit -that had once been hung upon the walls, a trophy of war.</p> - -<p>On the tomb of his ancestor, Achilles, he laid a garland, -while Hephæstion, his beloved friend, placed one on the grave -of Patroclus. The old Greek stories had entered into the -very fibre of the young king, and in this way he did honour, -as he deemed, to his glorious ancestor. He felt ready now -to do deeds as great as his hero had done.</p> - -<p>When Alexander rejoined his army, it had advanced -to the river Granicus, and there, on the opposite bank, was -a great force under Darius, king of Persia. Alexander -would have to conquer this great host before he could -advance into Asia.</p> - -<p>One of his officers, named Parmenio, begged the king to -wait to cross the river until early the next morning, when -the enemy would not be drawn up in battle array.</p> - -<p>‘I should be ashamed,’ answered the king, ‘having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">316</span> -crossed the Hellespont to be detained by a miserable stream -like the Granicus.’ He then ordered the army to advance, -and himself dashed into the river, followed by his horse-guards.</p> - -<p>The Granicus was not a river to be despised, for the -current was strong, and the horses kept their feet with -difficulty.</p> - -<p>A storm of arrows was poured upon the struggling horses -and their riders, and it seemed as though the attempt to -cross in the face of the foe would be useless. But the king -refused to be daunted, and the soldiers followed their intrepid -leader, until at length they reached the opposite bank.</p> - -<p>But to clamber up the bank was no easy matter. The -sides of the river were slippery, and the horses having no -firm foothold, stumbled and fell. Only after great and -repeated efforts did Alexander and those who followed him -reach the top of the bank. Wet and exhausted, they had -no time to form their ranks before the Persians dashed upon -them. A desperate hand-to-hand fight was at once begun.</p> - -<p>The enemy was quick to notice Alexander, for he wore -a large plume of white feathers in his helmet, while his -buckler was more splendid than that of any of his soldiers.</p> - -<p>Two Persian officers, wishing to win the glory of having -killed the king, attacked him together. One of them, riding -close to Alexander, rose in his stirrups, and brought his -battle-axe down with all his strength upon the helmet of -the king. So fierce was the blow that the crest was torn -away along with one of the plumes, while the axe cut its -way through the helmet, until the edge touched Alexander’s -hair.</p> - -<p>Again the officer raised his axe, but ere he could strike, -Clitus, the foster-brother of Alexander, slew the officer with -his sword and the king was saved.</p> - -<p>The famous phalanx of the Macedonians now threw itself -upon the enemy, and the Persians tried in vain to repel the -fierceness of the attack. Soon the whole army was put to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">317</span> -flight, all save a band of Greek soldiers who were fighting -for Darius.</p> - -<p>These withdrew to a height above the battlefield, and -sent to Alexander to ask for quarter. But the king refused -their request, and ordered his men to attack the little -company.</p> - -<p>The Greeks fought desperately, and Alexander lost more -men in this struggle than he had lost in all the rest of the -battle. His horse, which was not the famous Bucephalus, -was killed on the field.</p> - -<p>While in this great battle, fought in 334 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> on the banks -of the Granicus, the Persians lost a great number of men, -only thirty-four Macedonians, it is said, were slain.</p> - -<p>The spoil was enormous, and Alexander determined that -the Greeks should have a generous share. To Athens he -sent three hundred Persian bucklers to be offered to Athene, -with these words inscribed, ‘Alexander, son of Philip, and -the Grecians, except the Lacedæmonians, won these from -the barbarians who inhabit Asia.’</p> - -<p>Athens accepted the king’s offering to their goddess, but -they churlishly refused to send ships to help him to conquer -the coast towns which he must now attack.</p> - -<p>While dividing the spoil of the Granicus, Alexander did -not forget his mother. To her he sent all the plate he had -taken, as well as beautiful cloth of wonderful purple dye. -For himself he kept but little.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">318</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCIV">CHAPTER XCIV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE GORDIAN KNOT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">After</span> the battle of Granicus, many Persian towns submitted -to the conqueror. Those along the coast of Asia -Minor that refused to open their gates, the king quickly -subdued.</p> - -<p>During the winter he reached a city called Gordion, -about which a strange story is told.</p> - -<p>In the citadel of Gordion was an old, roughly built wagon, -which had once belonged to a peasant named Gordius. -Long, long ago Gordius had ridden into the town in his -wagon, and the oracle had declared that this peasant had -been chosen by the gods to be king of Phrygia, in which -country Gordion stood.</p> - -<p>When Gordius was made king, almost the first thing he -did was to dedicate his wagon to the gods, tying the yoke -to the pole with fibre taken from the bark of a tree. The -Gordion knot, as it was named, was twisted and tangled in -a bewildering way, and looked as though it would defy the -most skilful fingers to untie. Yet an oracle had said that -whoever should succeed in undoing this wonderful knot -would become king over all Asia.</p> - -<p>Many men who wished to wear a crown came to Gordion -to try to undo the knot, but not one of them had been able -to unravel the twisted fibre.</p> - -<p>When Alexander, with his victorious army, rode into -Gordion, every one wondered if the king would be able -to untie the famous knot.</p> - -<p>Alexander was not long in going to see the ancient wagon.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">319</span> -He looked at the puzzling knot and soon saw that he would -not be able to untie it.</p> - -<p>But he did not mean to be beaten. He would solve the -problem in his own way. So taking his sword in his impatient -hands, with one swift stroke he cut the formidable -knot in two.</p> - -<p>The onlookers, both Phrygians and Macedonians, shouted -with delight, for lo! the oracle was fulfilled, and Alexander -would become monarch of Asia.</p> - -<p>As the knot was cut in twain, a great thunderstorm raged -over the town, and the people said, ‘It is Zeus who sends -the storm to show that he is pleased that the prophecy is -fulfilled.’</p> - -<p>While Alexander had been conquering the towns along -the coast of Asia, Darius had been gathering together another -great army, which numbered, so it was said, six hundred -thousand men. The king himself commanded the vast -army, and in the spring of 333 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he set out to find -Alexander.</p> - -<p>Darius was not a skilful general, nor was he a brave king, -but he had no doubt that he would conquer Alexander.</p> - -<p>When Alexander still lingered in one of the coast towns, -Darius deemed that it was cowardice that kept him there, -so little did he know of the character of his foe. It was illness -alone that kept Alexander from advancing against the -great king.</p> - -<p>Some said that it was the hardships of the battlefield -that had made the king ill, others that while he was still -heated after a long march he had bathed in a river, the waters -of which were very cold.</p> - -<p>To the dismay of his soldiers, who adored their brave -leader, the king grew worse and worse. He was so ill that -it seemed that he must die.</p> - -<p>His physicians were afraid to give the king medicine, for -should he die they would be accused of giving him poison.</p> - -<p>At length one of the physicians, named Philip, to whom<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">320</span> -Alexander had shown great kindness, determined that whatever -happened to him, he would do his utmost to save the -king’s life.</p> - -<p>Alexander himself was content to take what Philip -ordered, so impatient was he to be well and at the head of -his army once again.</p> - -<p>So Philip left the king for a few moments to prepare -the medicine that he believed would cure him.</p> - -<p>While he was absent, a letter was brought to Alexander -from his officer Parmenio. It besought the king not to trust -Philip, as he had been bribed by Darius to poison him. Vast -sums of money and the hand of the great king’s daughter, -said Parmenio, were to be the reward of the physician.</p> - -<p>When Alexander had read the letter, he put it under his -pillow, showing it to no one, not even to his beloved friend -Hephæstion. He had no sooner done so than Philip returned -with the medicine. The king took it without hesitation. -Then, drawing the letter from beneath his pillow, he bade -his physician read it.</p> - -<p>Philip was horrified as he read the false accusation, and -flinging himself down by the bed, he entreated the king to -trust him and to fear nothing.</p> - -<p>The drug was a powerful one, and after taking it the -king was unconscious for hours. His nurses whispered to -one another that he was dead.</p> - -<p>But after a time he opened his eyes, weak indeed, but -no longer in danger. Philip tended him until his strength -returned, and he was at length able to go out to show himself -to his Macedonians. For they had been in constant fear -lest aught should befall their king, and nothing would satisfy -them until they had seen his face.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">321</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCV">CHAPTER XCV<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DARIUS GALLOPS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">As</span> soon as he had recovered from his illness, Alexander -led his army to meet Darius. He found the great king -in the pass of Issus, in October 333 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span></p> - -<p>Darius had first encamped on the plain of Issus, in a -strong position, where his vast army would have had room -to fight.</p> - -<p>But he dreamed that Alexander would try to escape him, -so he ordered his men to march through the narrow mountain -passes to meet the enemy.</p> - -<p>A Macedonian, who had deserted, begged Darius not -to leave the plain. ‘But,’ said the king, ‘if I stay here, -Alexander will escape me.’</p> - -<p>‘That fear is needless,’ answered the Macedonian, ‘for -assure yourself that far from avoiding you, he will make all -speed to meet you, and is now most likely on his march -toward you.’</p> - -<p>When Alexander knew that Darius had left the plain for -the pass of Issus, he was pleased, for he knew that the enemy -would now be hemmed in between the mountains and the -sea.</p> - -<p>Before long the two armies were close together. Alexander -led his right wing against the left wing of the Persians. Here -he was soon victorious, and free to attack the centre of the -enemy, where Darius sat in his chariot, surrounded by a band -of Persian nobles.</p> - -<p>As the great king saw Alexander and his followers drawing -nearer and nearer, he began to grow afraid. Soon he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">322</span> -could bear his fears no longer, and leaping from his chariot, -he mounted a horse and fled from the field.</p> - -<p>When the Persians saw that their king had fled, they -stayed to fight no longer. Even the cavalry, which had -withstood every attack, now wavered, then broke and fled -with the rest.</p> - -<p>The great hosts sought to hide themselves from their -pursuers among the mountain passes, but thousands were -captured and slain.</p> - -<p>Darius in his haste had left his shield and his royal cloak -behind, but he would not stay to recover them. On and -on he fled until he reached a town on the river Euphrates.</p> - -<p>Alexander was well pleased with his great victory, -but he would fain have captured the Persian king. To a -wound in his thigh he paid little attention, nor did it prove -dangerous. But it made it impossible for him to overtake -Darius.</p> - -<p>When the king returned from the pursuit of his enemy, -he found his men pillaging the Persian camp. The tent of -Darius, which was beautifully furnished, and which also had -a great store of gold and silver, was set apart for Alexander -himself.</p> - -<p>‘Let us now cleanse ourselves from the toils of war in -the baths of Darius,’ said the king as he entered the tent of -the defeated monarch.</p> - -<p>‘Not so,’ answered one of his followers, ‘but in Alexander’s -rather; for the property of the conquered is and should be -called the conqueror’s.’</p> - -<p>Alexander’s early training had been simple as that of a -Spartan, and the luxury of the great king’s tents amazed -him.</p> - -<p>In one there were numerous baths and many boxes -of ointment, in another a table was spread for a magnificent -feast. As Alexander looked at it all, he turned to -his followers and said, ‘This, it seems, is royalty.’</p> - -<p>But his early training still influenced him, and he kept<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">323</span> -his simple tastes and cared little for dainty fare or other -luxuries.</p> - -<p>Once a queen to whom Alexander had been kind sent -to his tent, day by day, some of the dishes which had been -prepared for her own table. And at length, that he might -always fare well, she sent cooks and bakers.</p> - -<p>But the king would not accept them, for he said that his -old tutor had given him the best possible cooks. They were, -‘a night march to prepare for breakfast, and a moderate -breakfast to create an appetite for supper.’</p> - -<p>He told the queen, too, how when he was a boy his tutor -Leonidas used to look often in his wardrobe, lest his clothes -were too fine, and in his room, to see that his mother had not -given him cushions for his couch or soft pillows for his bed.</p> - -<p>As Alexander sat down to supper on the evening of the -victory of Issus, the sound of wailing and weeping fell upon -his ear. It seemed to him as the weeping of women, and -he demanded to be told at once who was in trouble.</p> - -<p>His officers said that it was the mother, and wife and -children of Darius who were weeping. For they had heard -that Alexander had returned with their lord’s shield and -cloak, and they thought that he must have been slain.</p> - -<p>Then the king bade one of his followers go tell the royal -mourners that Darius lived, and that they need fear no -harm from Alexander. For he made war upon Darius not -because he bore him ill will, but because he wished to gain -his dominions. He promised that he would provide them -with all the comforts which they had been used to receive -from the great king.</p> - -<p>When Darius was safe beyond the Euphrates, he remembered -that his wife and mother had been left to the mercy -of his conqueror. So he wrote to Alexander, begging that -they might be sent to him and offering to make a treaty -with the king.</p> - -<p>Here is part of the proud answer that Alexander sent to -Darius.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">324</span></p> - -<p>‘I am lord of all, Darius,’ he wrote, ‘and therefore do -thou come to me with thy requests. Thou hast only to -come to me to ask and receive thy mother and wife and -children, and whatever else thou mayest desire. And for -the future, whenever thou sendest, send to me as to the -great king of Asia, and do not write as to an equal, but tell -me whatever thy need be, as to one who is lord of all that -is thine. Otherwise I will deal with thee as with an offender. -But if thou disputest the kingdom, then wait and fight for -it again, and do not flee; for I will march against thee, -wheresoever thou mayest be.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">325</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCVI">CHAPTER XCVI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">TYRE IS STORMED BY ALEXANDER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Alexander</span> did not cross the Euphrates in search of -Darius. He knew that the great king could do him no -harm, even should he again assemble a large army. So for -a time he left Darius to do as he pleased, while he himself -went on with his own plan.</p> - -<p>Nearly all the towns in Syracuse were ready to open -their gates to Alexander. Some that had found Darius a -hard master, hailed him as a deliverer.</p> - -<p>Tyre alone, while saying that she was ready to do as -the king willed, refused to receive either a Persian or a -Macedonian into the city.</p> - -<p>Alexander wished to offer sacrifice to the deity of Tyre, -whose temple was within the city, and when the people refused -to open their gates, he was so angry that he at once -laid siege to the town.</p> - -<p>Tyre stood on an island, about half a mile from the mainland. -Near the coast the water was shallow, while close to -the walls of the city it was deep.</p> - -<p>The Tyrians believed that they could hold their city -against Alexander, for the walls were built high, on the top -of a steep and dangerous cliff.</p> - -<p>As the king had no fleet, he could not attack the city -until he had built a causeway from the mainland to the -island, so he ordered his men to begin the work without -delay.</p> - -<p>But when the causeway stretched almost to the island, -the Tyrians did all that they could to hinder the workmen.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">326</span> -They sent among them showers of arrows, and hurled down -upon them great pieces of rock, so that they found it impossible -to complete the causeway.</p> - -<p>But the king was not easily beaten. He ordered the -men to build towers along the causeway, and to tie leather -screens from one tower to another, so that they might be -protected from the arrows and missiles of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Then the Tyrians dragged a ship, loaded with dry wood, -as near to the causeway as they dared to venture, and set -it on fire. The towers were soon in flames, and while the -Macedonians tried in vain to extinguish them, the enemy -never ceased to send showers of arrows among the unfortunate -men, so that many of them lost their lives.</p> - -<p>Although the Tyrians had destroyed the work of months, -Alexander still refused to give in. He now sent to the cities -round about, and bade them send ships to guard his soldiers -until the causeway was finished. In seven months from -the time it was begun, the causeway reached to the foot of -the rock on which the city stood.</p> - -<p>In July 332 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> a breach was made in the wall, and, -led by Alexander himself, the Macedonians rushed in triumph -into the city that had so long defied them.</p> - -<p>The Tyrians fought fiercely, for they knew they need not -look for mercy if the city was taken. But they were soon -overpowered, and the town was given up to plunder. The -soldiers were eager for spoil, but spoil alone could not satisfy -them. As they thought of the weary months which they -had spent in trying to reach the island, they wreaked their -rage on the miserable citizens, massacring all on whom they -could lay their hands.</p> - -<p>After Tyre had fallen, Alexander was master of Syria, -and could control the eastern Mediterranean.</p> - -<p>From Tyre, the king marched southward until he reached -Egypt. Here, after making himself lord of the country, he -founded the city which is still called after him, Alexandria.</p> - -<p>During the siege of Tyre, Darius had again sent to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">327</span> -Alexander, offering to him a large ransom for his family, -as well as the hand of his daughter and all the provinces -west of Euphrates.</p> - -<p>While Alexander and his generals were talking over the -offer of Darius, Parmenio exclaimed, ‘If I were you I should -accept these terms.’</p> - -<p>‘And I,’ answered the king, ‘would accept them if I -were Parmenio.’</p> - -<p>To Darius, Alexander’s reply was haughtier than ever. -‘If thou comest,’ so ran his words, ‘and yield thyself up -into my power, I will treat thee with all possible kindness; -if not, I will come myself to seek thee.’</p> - -<p>Soon after this the wife of Darius died. Alexander had -always treated her well, and now he buried her with great -honour.</p> - -<p>One of her servants fled to Darius to tell him the sad -tidings. He told him, too, of the kindness Alexander had -ever shown to his royal captive.</p> - -<p>‘O king,’ said the servant, ‘neither your queen when -alive, nor your mother, nor children wanted anything of -their former happy condition, unless it were the light of -your countenance. And after her decease, Statira, the -queen, had not only all due funeral ornaments, but was -honoured also with the tears of your very enemies; for -Alexander is as gentle after victory as he is terrible in the -field.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">328</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCVII">CHAPTER XCVII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">It</span> was now almost two years since the battle of Issus, and -Alexander determined once more to meet Darius, who had -again assembled a large army.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 331 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> the king went back to Tyre, -and by August he had reached Thapsacus, a town on the -banks of the river Euphrates. He wished to go on to -Babylon, the capital of the Persian empire, but the direct -way to the city, which was down the Euphrates, was guarded -by Cyrus with a large army. So Alexander struck off across -the north of Mesopotamia, and reaching the Tigris marched -along the river on the eastern side. Above Nineveh he -crossed to the other bank, and after marching southward -for several days, he heard that Darius was encamped on a -plain near Gaugamela, on the river Bumōdus.</p> - -<p>Even to the brave Macedonian generals, the vast hosts -of the Persians looked formidable.</p> - -<p>Parmenio looking at them begged the king to surprise the -enemy by a night attack rather than risk a battle in daylight.</p> - -<p>‘I will not steal a victory,’ answered Alexander.</p> - -<p>The night before the battle the king slept soundly, as -though nothing preyed upon his mind. In the morning -his generals found him still fast asleep, so without disturbing -him they themselves bade the soldiers have breakfast.</p> - -<p>At length Parmenio went to wake the king, and having -with difficulty roused him, he asked how it was possible he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">329</span> -could sleep so soundly when the most important battle of -his life had to be fought that day.</p> - -<p>‘You slept, sire, as though you were already victorious,’ -said the anxious general.</p> - -<p>‘Are we not so indeed,’ answered the king, ‘since we -are at last relieved from the trouble of wandering in pursuit -of Darius, through a wide and wasted country, hoping in -vain that he would fight us?’</p> - -<p>Alexander, who was already dressed, now put on his -helmet, which was of iron, yet so polished was it that it -shone as silver. Great skill had been lavished on the decoration -of his belt, which was indeed the most splendid part of -his dress. He then ordered his army to be drawn up in -battle array, while he mounted Bucephalus, who was old -now, yet eager for battle.</p> - -<p>Before the king gave the signal to attack, he stretched -out his right hand to heaven, and called upon the gods to -defend and strengthen the Greeks, if he indeed were the -son of Zeus.</p> - -<p>By the side of Alexander rode a soothsayer, clad in a -white robe and wearing on his head a crown of gold. He -pointed to the sky, and the soldiers looking up saw an eagle -flying over the king’s head and on toward the Persian army. -‘It is a good omen,’ they cried, and shouted to be led at -once against the foe.</p> - -<p>A moment later the order was given, and the Macedonians -rushed upon the great hosts of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Darius thought that his war-chariots would cause deadly -havoc among his enemies, for scythes were fastened to the -wheels to mow down all who came within reach.</p> - -<p>But the Macedonian archers drew their bows and sped -their arrows among the charioteers, while the strongest -seized the reins of the horses, and pulled the drivers from -their seats. Then the soldiers opened wide their ranks -so that those chariots that still had drivers rattled harmlessly -past them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">330</span></p> - -<p>Alexander was already attacking the centre of the -Persian army, where, as at the battle of Issus, Darius sat -in his chariot, looking on at the struggle.</p> - -<p>All at once he saw Alexander with his chosen companions -drawing nearer and nearer, and once again his courage failed. -Fiercer and fiercer raged the battle, closer and closer drew -Alexander to the Persian king.</p> - -<p>The horsemen grouped in front of Darius were driven -backward and fled, all save the bravest who never flinched, -but fell in a supreme effort to keep the enemy from approaching -any nearer to the king’s chariot.</p> - -<p>Even as they fell they still tried to keep back the foe, -clinging desperately to the legs of the horses as they galloped -over their wounded bodies.</p> - -<p>Darius was in immediate danger of being captured. In -vain the driver tried to turn the royal chariot, the bodies of -the fallen soldiers would not allow the wheels to move. -The horses plunged and kicked in an agony of fear, and the -charioteer was helpless.</p> - -<p>Then, as the king had done on the field of Issus, he -did now. He leaped from the chariot, mounted a horse and -fled from the battlefield.</p> - -<p>Alexander followed the king in swift pursuit; it seemed -impossible that he could escape. But Parmenio, who was -commanding the left wing, was almost overpowered by the -enemy. He sent a messenger to overtake Alexander, and -beg him for help.</p> - -<p>The king reluctantly gave up his pursuit of Darius, and -rode back with his companions to give his general the help -he had entreated. But by the time he reached the left wing -his aid was no longer needed. Parmenio had wrested victory -from the foe.</p> - -<p>So the king again set out in pursuit of Darius, but all -that he captured was the chariot, the shield and the bow of -the coward king.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">331</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCVIII">CHAPTER XCVIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALEXANDER BURNS PERSEPOLIS</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> battle of Gaugamela in 331 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> decided the fate of -the Persian empire. Darius was no longer the great king, -for Alexander took the title as well as the dominions of -his foe.</p> - -<p>At Babylon, to which city Alexander now marched, the -gates were thrown open to welcome him, the people coming -out to meet the conqueror, led by their priests.</p> - -<p>Alexander received them kindly, and bade the Babylonians -not be afraid still to worship their own national god.</p> - -<p>Here, in this great city, the king dreamed that he would -set up his throne. Babylon should be the capital of his new -empire.</p> - -<p>Not far from Babylon was the city of Susa, where the -Persian kings usually spent the winter months. Susa also -surrendered to the great king without a blow being struck.</p> - -<p>There were many treasures and much gold in both -Babylon and Susa; perhaps the most wonderful treasure -was a piece of purple cloth, which was worth an enormous -sum of money. Although it had been laid aside for one -hundred and ninety years, yet its marvellous colour was as -perfect as it had ever been.</p> - -<p>The spoils for which the Greeks cared most were some -that had been carried away by Xerxes. Among those that -they found at Susa were statues of Harmodius and Aristogeiton. -By the order of Alexander, they were now sent -back to Athens.</p> - -<p>But even greater treasures than any the king had yet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">332</span> -found were stored in palaces hidden among the highlands of -Persia. To these palaces Alexander resolved to march, -although the way led through narrow mountain passes which -were guarded by a Persian army.</p> - -<p>By attacking the enemy both in the front and in the -rear, Alexander caught the Persians in a trap. They were -speedily cut to pieces or fell down the dangerous mountain -tracks in a vain effort to escape.</p> - -<p>Then unhindered by any foe, the king marched on to -one of the great cities of the Persian kings, which the Greeks -called Persepolis, or ‘the richest of all the cities under the sun.’</p> - -<p>So great were the treasures stored in the palace of Persepolis, -that ten thousand pairs of mules and five thousand -camels were needed to carry them away.</p> - -<p>For four months Alexander lingered in the city. His -soldiers were proud indeed of their king when for the first -time they saw him sitting under a canopy of gold on the -throne of the Persian monarchs.</p> - -<p>A Corinthian, who was a great friend of Alexander’s, -exclaimed at the sight, ‘How unfortunate are those Greeks -who have died without beholding Alexander seated on the -throne of Darius!’</p> - -<p>Before he left Persepolis to go in search of Darius, -Alexander gave a great feast.</p> - -<p>It was then that the king, urged by the excited revellers, -allowed the palace to be burned.</p> - -<p>With a wreath of flowers on his head and a lighted torch -in his hand, the king, followed by his guests, surrounded -the palace, and set light to it. The soldiers also seized torches -and amid shouts and merriment they, too, helped to destroy -the palace of the Persian kings.</p> - -<p>The Macedonians thought that the burning of the palace -was a sign that Alexander did not mean to dwell among the -barbarians, and they rejoiced. For they were growing -weary of marching into unknown countries, and they were -beginning to think wistfully of their homeland.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">333</span></p> - -<p>Alexander was soon sorry for the wild impulse which had -seized him, and he gave orders to put out the fire as speedily -as might be.</p> - -<p>The officers in Alexander’s army had become rich with -the spoils of conquered cities, and the king found that they -were growing as fond of ease and luxury as the Persians. -Their tables were loaded with delicacies, servants attended -to their slightest wish. One officer even had his shoes made -with silver nails.</p> - -<p>Such indulgence annoyed the king and he reproved his -officers, telling them that toil was more honourable than -pleasure.</p> - -<p>‘How is it possible,’ he said, ‘if you cannot attend to -your own body, that you look well after your horse, or keep -your armour bright and in good order? You should surely -avoid the weaknesses of those you have conquered.’</p> - -<p>To set his army an example, the king now began to -hunt more than was his custom and with less care for his -own safety. When the soldiers were sent against an enemy, -Alexander himself went with them, and endured the same -hardships and dangers as his men.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">334</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XCIX">CHAPTER XCIX<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALEXANDER SLAYS HIS FOSTER-BROTHER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Early</span> in 330 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Alexander left Persepolis to go in search -of Darius.</p> - -<p>After a long and difficult march of three hundred miles, -to which his soldiers took only eleven days, the king heard -that Darius had passed the defile called the ‘Caspian Gates.’ -For five days he allowed his men, who were utterly exhausted, -to rest, before he again started in pursuit of the fugitive.</p> - -<p>After passing through the Caspian Gates, Alexander -heard that Bessus, a kinsman of Darius, who was also his -officer or satrap, had made him a prisoner. Loaded with -chains, Darius was being carried away to the district over -which Bessus ruled.</p> - -<p>This made the king the more determined to reach the -unfortunate captive. For four days he hurried on until -at length he reached a village where Bessus and his men -had stayed the evening before. He was told that the satrap -was going to make a forced march that night.</p> - -<p>The king learned of a shorter road, by which he might -overtake the fugitives, but there was no water to be found -on the way. Alexander did not hesitate. With only a -small company he set out the same evening, and when -morning dawned he had ridden forty-five miles. The -fugitives were now within sight.</p> - -<p>When the barbarians who were with Bessus saw the king -in the distance they fled. The satrap quickly took the -chains off his captive, bidding him mount a horse and -follow them. When Darius refused he stabbed him and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">335</span> -rode away, leaving the wretched king to die or to fall into -the hands of his enemy.</p> - -<p>A few Macedonians who were riding in front of the king -reached the wounded man first, and gave him water, for -which he begged. Darius then lay back and before Alexander -arrived, he had breathed his last.</p> - -<p>The king looked at his fallen foe with pity, and then -flung over him his own cloak. His body he sent to the -queen-mother, that it might be buried beside the other -Persian kings at Persepolis.</p> - -<p>Bessus was betrayed into the hands of Alexander not -long afterwards. Naked and chained he was placed on -the road by which Alexander’s army must pass.</p> - -<p>The king stopped when he reached the satrap, and asked -him why he had murdered Darius, who had always treated -him well.</p> - -<p>Bessus answered that he did it to win Alexander’s favour.</p> - -<p>His reply won no pity from the king, who ordered him -to be scourged and sent to prison. Some time after he was -brought to trial and sentenced to a cruel death.</p> - -<p>Until now Alexander had lived almost as simply as when -he was a lad, and but lately he had reproved his officers for -their indolent and luxurious habits. Now he gradually -began to adopt the customs of the East. He dressed in -purple and surrounded himself with Persian courtiers, and -acted as though he was indeed a descendant of the gods. -The Macedonians were quick to take offence at the favour -their king showed to the Persians.</p> - -<p>Philotas, a son of Parmenio, resented the king’s deeds, -more perhaps than any other of his generals. He was -proud and his haughty ways had made his men dislike him.</p> - -<p>Parmenio would sometimes say to him, ‘My son, to be -not quite so great would be better.’ But Philotas would -take no notice of the rebuke.</p> - -<p>One day he declared that but for him and his father, the -king would never have conquered Asia. ‘Yet it is he, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">336</span> -boy Alexander who enjoys the glory of the victories and the -title of king,’ said the foolish officer.</p> - -<p>Alexander was told of the boastful way in which Philotas -had spoken, but he neither reproved nor punished him.</p> - -<p>A little later a plot was made against his life, and Philotas -would not allow those who wished to warn the king to enter -his presence. Then Alexander, who knew of this also, ordered -Philotas to be seized and imprisoned.</p> - -<p>He was tried before an assembly of Macedonians and -confessed that he had known of the plot to kill the king, and -yet had neither warned him nor allowed others to do so.</p> - -<p>The Macedonians condemned him to death, and themselves -carried out the sentence, throwing at him their -javelins.</p> - -<p>Alexander had been patient with Philotas and his -punishment was just, but now the king did a cruel deed. -For thinking that his old and faithful general Parmenio -might have shared in the treachery of his son, he sent a -messenger to slay him.</p> - -<p>The king’s despatch was taken to Parmenio and put into -his hand. As he began to read it he was stabbed in the -back.</p> - -<p>From this time the king’s temper grew less and less controlled. -At one of the royal feasts he lost it altogether. A -guest sang a song which made a jest of some Macedonians -who had been beaten by the Persians. The old soldiers were -indignant, the more so that Alexander paid no heed to their -anger and bade the singer sing on.</p> - -<p>Clitus, the king’s foster-brother, had a quick temper, -and he cried out, ‘It is not well done to expose the Macedonians -before their enemies; since though it was their -unhappiness to be overcome, yet are they much better -men than those who laugh at them.’</p> - -<p>‘Clitus pleads his own cause,’ said the king, ‘when he -names cowardice misfortune.’</p> - -<p>The king spoke half in jest, half in anger, for he knew<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">337</span> -well that Clitus and all his Macedonians were brave men -and no cowards.</p> - -<p>But Clitus sprang to his feet at Alexander’s words and -cried, ‘Yet, O king, it was my cowardice that once saved -your life from the Persians, and it is by the wounds of -Macedonians that you are now the great king.’</p> - -<p>‘Speak not so boldly,’ answered the king, and in his -voice there was a threat, ‘or think not you will long enjoy -the power to do so.’</p> - -<p>Clitus was now too angry to care what he said, and he -spoke to the king yet more bitterly, until Alexander could -brook no more. He took an apple from the table before -him, and flinging it at his foster-brother, felt for his sword. -But one of his guards, foreseeing what might happen, had -removed it. His guests now gathered around the king, -trying to soothe his anger. Alexander pushed them aside, -and ordered one of his guard to sound the alarm. This -would have assembled the whole army and the man hesitated, -whereupon Alexander struck him on the face.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile a friend had hurried Clitus out of the room, -but he slipped back again by another door, and boldly -taunted the king with the way in which he treated his old -soldiers.</p> - -<p>Then in a passion Alexander snatched a spear from one -of his guards, rushed upon Clitus and stabbed him to death.</p> - -<p>A moment later the king’s anger faded away, and he -looked in horror upon the dead body of his foster-brother. -He seized the spear again and tried to kill himself, but his -guards wrenched it away, and led him to his own room. -There he lay all through the long night and all through the -following day, weeping for his foster-brother whom he had -slain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">338</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_C">CHAPTER C<br /> - -<span class="subhead">PORUS AND HIS ELEPHANT</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">The</span> Macedonians had now for some time been longing to -march homeward rather than into new and unknown lands. -But Alexander’s ambition was not yet satisfied, and in -327 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> he determined to march into India, to add that land -also to his conquests.</p> - -<p>The army was laden with booty, and the king saw that -unless it were left behind the men would not be able to -march. It would be no easy matter to make the soldiers -give up their plunder, but Alexander knew well how to -manage men.</p> - -<p>He ordered all his own share of plunder, all his unnecessary -clothing, almost all his ornaments, to be burned. His -courtiers did as they saw their king do, and when the soldiers -were ordered to follow Alexander’s example, they did so -without a murmur, while some even cheered.</p> - -<p>Without the plunder the soldiers marched easily, and -soon reached the Punjab, where the king of the district -brought to Alexander’s aid five thousand men.</p> - -<p>The army marched on unopposed, until it came to the -river Hydaspes, or as we call it now the Jhelum. Here it -was forced to halt, for on the opposite bank was a powerful -Indian king, named Porus, and a large army.</p> - -<p>Porus had with him a number of elephants, and when -they trumpeted, the horses of the Macedonians took flight. -The banks of the river were slippery, and the enemy was -ready with arrows, should the king order his army to cross -the river.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">339</span></p> - -<p>Alexander had made up his mind to cross the Hydaspes, -but first he wished to put Porus off his guard.</p> - -<p>So night after night, by the king’s orders, a trumpet -called the cavalry to march. It advanced always to the -edge of the river, while Porus, thinking the whole army was -going to cross, commanded his elephants to be moved to -the bank, and his great hosts to be drawn up ready for battle.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour the Indians waited, but the Macedonians -never attempted to cross, and so they grew listless and each -night less vigilant. Even Porus began to think the Macedonians -must be cowards, and he paid less and less attention -to their movements. This was what Alexander had expected -would happen.</p> - -<p>But one stormy night, when the Indians were off their -guard, the king with part of his army crossed to a wooded -island that lay in the middle of the river. It was a terrible -night. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, and several of -Alexander’s men were killed as they struggled breast high in -the water. With great difficulty the others reached the farther -side, to find that Porus had realised his danger. A thousand -horsemen and sixty armed chariots awaited the daring king. -But Alexander captured the chariots and slew four hundred -of the cavalry.</p> - -<p>The whole Macedonian army had now joined the king, -and a desperate battle was fought. Hour after hour the -conflict raged, neither side gaining the victory.</p> - -<p>At length, when the elephants were dead or their riders -slain, when the Indians were flying in every direction, Porus -knew that the day was lost.</p> - -<p>Yet he disdained to flee and fought on, seated upon an -elephant of enormous size, for he himself was more than six -feet in height. Only when he was wounded in his shoulder, -did he turn to ride away from the field.</p> - -<p>It is told that while the battle was raging the elephant -took the greatest care of his master. And when the animal -saw that the king was faint from his wounds, he knelt down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">340</span> -carefully that Porus might not fall. Then with his trunk -he drew out the darts that were left in the body of the king.</p> - -<p>Alexander had seen how bravely his enemy had fought, -As he watched him riding from the field, he thought he would -like to speak with so great a warrior, and he sent to ask him -to return. He himself went out to meet the king, and was -amazed at his great height and at his beauty.</p> - -<p>When Alexander asked Porus how he wished to be -treated, he answered, ‘As a king.’</p> - -<p>‘For my own sake I will do that,’ replied the great king; -‘ask a boon for thy sake.’</p> - -<p>‘That,’ said Porus, ‘containeth all.’</p> - -<p>As was his way, Alexander treated the fallen king right -royally, giving back to him his kingdom and adding to it -new territories.</p> - -<p>Two cities were built close to the battlefield. One was -named Bucephala, after Alexander’s famous horse which, -some say, was wounded and died after the battle. But -others tell that Bucephalus had died shortly before the battle -of old age, for he had lived for thirty years. The king -grieved for the loss of his noble steed as for the loss of a -friend.</p> - -<p>This terrible battle made the Macedonians still more -unwilling to advance farther into India.</p> - -<p>Before them lay a desert which would take eleven days -to cross. The soldiers could not face a long march in a -strange land, without water and without guides.</p> - -<p>When Alexander ordered the army to advance, the -Macedonians who had followed him loyally through every -difficulty, refused to obey.</p> - -<p>Nothing he could say would make them advance a step -farther.</p> - -<p>‘There they stood, looking hard at the ground with tears -trickling down their cheeks, yet resolute still not to go -forward.’</p> - -<p>Then Alexander dismissed them in anger. But the next<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">341</span> -day he sent for them again and told them that he was going -to advance. They, if they chose to forsake him in a hostile -land, could go back to Macedon.</p> - -<p>Still in anger the king left them and went to his tent, and -shut himself up for two days, refusing to see any of his -companions.</p> - -<p>Perhaps he thought his obstinate Macedonians would -yield. But although it grieved them to thwart their king, -the soldiers remained firm.</p> - -<p>On the third day Alexander left his tent and offered -sacrifices to the gods, as he always did before beginning a -new adventure. But the signs were unfavourable, and -against this the king was not proof. So he sent to tell the -army that he had determined to lead them in the direction -of home.</p> - -<p>In a transport of joy the faithful Macedonians hastened -to the king’s tent. Some of them wept as they thanked -‘the unconquered king that he had permitted himself to be -conquered for once by his Macedons.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">342</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_CI">CHAPTER CI<br /> - -<span class="subhead">ALEXANDER IS WOUNDED</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">Alexander</span> determined to begin the homeward journey by -sailing down the Hydaspes to the Indus in order to reach -the ocean.</p> - -<p>The king himself with part of the army embarked in the -ships which awaited them on the Hydaspes. The rest of -the army was divided into two companies, and marched on -either bank of the river, one being under Hephæstion, the -king’s friend.</p> - -<p>On the way the fleet and the army joined their forces -in order to subdue some of the warlike tribes that refused to -submit to them.</p> - -<p>One of these tribes, the Malli, Alexander pursued to their -chief city, which stood where the town of Multan has since -been built.</p> - -<p>The city was easily taken, but not so the citadel in which -the Malli had taken refuge.</p> - -<p>Before the walls surrounding it could be scaled, ladders -were needed, and two were hurriedly brought to the spot. -But it was difficult to place them in position, for the Malli -hurled upon the soldiers every missile on which they could -lay their hands.</p> - -<p>Alexander growing impatient, seized one of the ladders, -and covering himself with his shield he placed it in position -and began to mount.</p> - -<p>Peucestas, carrying the sacred shield of Troy, and -Leonnatus, two of the companions, followed closely after -their king, while Abreas began to climb the second ladder -which was now also ready for use.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">343</span></p> - -<p>The king was soon standing alone on the top of the wall, -having flung down those of the Malli who were keeping guard -at that point.</p> - -<p>In despair the Macedonians saw the danger to which their -king had exposed himself. He was a mark for every weapon -hurled from the citadel.</p> - -<p>They rushed in a body to the ladders, and began to -mount in such numbers that the ladders both gave way, -Peucestas, Leonnatus and Abreas alone having first reached -the top of the wall.</p> - -<p>His friends called aloud to Alexander, entreating him to -come back. But he leaped down on the other side among -his foes. Fortunately he landed on his feet, and at once -placing his back against the wall, he strove to keep back -the enemy as they rushed upon him.</p> - -<p>The foremost fell before the swift stroke of the king’s -sword, as did also those who followed him. At two more -the king hurled stones which felled them to the ground. -After that the Malli were afraid to approach close to the -great king, but they began to throw at him stones and great -pieces of rock.</p> - -<p>A moment later his three companions had leaped down -and were by the side of their king, ready to defend him with -their lives.</p> - -<p>Abreas fell at his feet almost at once, pierced by a dart. -Alexander himself was wounded, but fought on until at -length, faint through loss of blood, he fell fainting on his -shield.</p> - -<p>Peucestas covered him with the sacred shield, while -Leonnatus fought on desperately until help came.</p> - -<p>A few of the Macedonians, maddened by the thought of -their king’s danger, scrambled up on each other’s shoulders, -and leaped down on the other side to rescue him and his -three companions if they still lived.</p> - -<p>Some ran to the gates, and opened them, and the -anxious soldiers poured in and took the citadel. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">344</span> -believed that their king was dead, and they wreaked their -fury on the miserable inhabitants, leaving neither men, -women nor children alive.</p> - -<p>Alexander was not dead, and although his wound was -severe, he recovered. But the rumour of his death had -reached the camp near the river where the main body of -the army had been left. No letters, no messages could -make the grief-stricken soldiers believe that their king still -lived.</p> - -<p>Alexander was brought down the river in a ship. He -was lying on a couch in the stern of the vessel as he drew -near to the camp, and he ordered the canopy which screened -him to be raised that his soldiers might see him.</p> - -<p>At first they thought it was but his lifeless body which -they beheld, but as he drew nearer still, the king waved his -hand. Then a great shout of joy rent the air.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">345</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_CII">CHAPTER CII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">In</span> the autumn of 325 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Alexander began to march through -the desert of Gedrosia on his way to Babylon.</p> - -<p>The heat was terrible, and the soldiers were soon parched -with thirst, while sinking sand added to the hardship of -the march.</p> - -<p>Alexander tramped by the side of his men across the -dreary waste, sharing all their privations and cheering them -by his presence. But before he left the desert of Gedrosia, -the king had lost more than a fourth part of the army that -had set out with him from India two short months before.</p> - -<p>At length the exhausted soldiers reached Susa, and here -the king allowed them to rest. He himself found much to -do, for many of the satraps whom he had left in charge of -different provinces had betrayed their trust. They had -treated cruelly those who were in their power, and had -formed plots to make themselves kings over their own provinces. -It may be that they thought Alexander would -never come back from his perilous journey in the East.</p> - -<p>When he had punished those who had proved faithless, -were they Macedonians or Persians, he turned to a matter -on which his heart was set—the union of the peoples of the -East and the West.</p> - -<p>The king tried to accomplish this in different ways. He -had already built cities in the East, and left in them Greeks -and Macedonians along with the native Asiatics.</p> - -<p>Now he himself wedded Statira, the daughter of Darius, -Hephæstion married her sister, while several Macedonian<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">346</span> -generals, following the example of the king, took the daughters -of Persian nobles to be their wives. Many of the soldiers, -too, married women of the East.</p> - -<p>Alexander hoped that little by little the two races -would learn to know each other better and to have the -same interests.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 324 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> Alexander went to Ecbatana, -where the Persian kings had been used to spend the summer -months. Shortly afterwards he met his whole army at -Opis, not far from Babylon, and discharged many of the -Macedonian veterans who were no longer fit to fight because -of old age or because of the wounds from which they had -suffered. The king promised to provide for these old warriors -for the rest of their lives. He expected them to welcome -their dismissal and their reward.</p> - -<p>But the Macedonians had been growing more and more -jealous of the favours Alexander had been showing to the -Persians, and now the feelings that they had been forced -to hide found words.</p> - -<p>They bade the king discharge not only the veterans -but his loyal Macedonians. Some even dared to shout, ‘Go -and conquer with Zeus, your father.’</p> - -<p>The king, in sudden anger, sprang from his seat, down -among the angry throng, and ordered thirteen of the ring-leaders -to be put to death. He then bade the others go -away if they wished. They had been only poor shepherds -on the hills of Macedon, he reminded them, until his father -Philip had made them rulers of Greece. He had shared -with them the wealth of the East, and had kept nothing for -himself, save his purple robe and his royal diadem.</p> - -<p>Alexander then went to his palace, and in three days -he sent for the Persian nobles, to whom he gave the -posts of honour which until now had been held by the -Macedonians.</p> - -<p>Plutarch tells us that when the Macedonians, who had -stayed in their quarters in spite of their dismissal, heard what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">347</span> -Alexander had done, ‘they went without their arms, with -only their undergarments on, crying and weeping, to offer -themselves at his tent, and desired him to deal with them -as their baseness and ingratitude deserved ... yet he -would not admit them to his presence, nor would they stir -from thence, but continued two days and nights before his -tent, bewailing themselves, and imploring him as their lord -to have compassion on them. But on the third day he came -out to them, and seeing them very humble and penitent, -he wept himself a great while, after a gentle reproof spoke -kindly to them and dismissed those who were too old for -service with magnificent rewards, and with recommendation -to Antipater that when they came home, at all public -shows and in the theatres, they should sit in the best and -foremost seats, crowned with chaplets of flowers.’</p> - -<p>During the summer which he spent at Ecbatana, a great -sorrow befell the king. Hephæstion, his dearest friend, took -ill, and in seven days he was dead. For three days the king -would touch no food. No one could comfort him, for well -the king knew that no one would ever fill the place that -Hephæstion had held in his heart. The body of his friend -the king ordered to be taken to Babylon, where it was burnt -on a pyre adorned with great magnificence. Chapels were -built in his honour in Alexandria and other cities.</p> - -<p>In June 323 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span>, a month after the funeral rites, Alexander, -who was preparing for a great expedition by sea, -went to the river Euphrates to inspect some new harbours -which he had ordered to be built.</p> - -<p>The place was unhealthy, because of the many marshes -that lay round about the river, and the king was attacked -by fever. He refused to take any care and daily he grew -worse, until at length he was forced by weakness to stay in -bed.</p> - -<p>A rumour that he was dead reached the Macedonians, and -they hastened to the palace, begging to be allowed to see -their king once more.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">348</span></p> - -<p>Alexander was not dead, but he was too weak to speak, -as one by one the soldiers were permitted to walk quietly -past his bed. With an effort he looked at them as they -passed, and feebly raised his hand in farewell.</p> - -<p>‘After I am gone will you ever find a king worthy of -such heroes as these?’ he murmured as they slowly filed out -of the room.</p> - -<p>Then he drew his signet ring from his finger and gave it -to an officer, saying that he left his kingdom ‘to the best -man.’ So the great king passed away at the age of thirty-three.</p> - -<div id="if_i_348" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_348.jpg" width="1807" height="2513" alt="" /><div class="caption">With an effort he looked at them as they passed</div></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">349</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_CIII">CHAPTER CIII<br /> - -<span class="subhead">DEMOSTHENES IN THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="in0"><span class="firstword">When</span> Alexander set out on his great expedition to Asia, -Demosthenes was living in Athens, and for five years nothing -happened to disturb the quiet habits of his life.</p> - -<p>He loved his city well, and with his own money he had -rebuilt the walls of Athens. Many other services he had -done for his countrymen, and because of these, one of the -Athenians proposed to the people that a hero’s crown of gold -should be bestowed upon Demosthenes.</p> - -<p>This they were very willing to do. So at one of the great -Athenian festivals, when the people were assembled in the -theatre, a herald proclaimed that a golden crown had been -awarded to the orator because of all that he had done for -his city.</p> - -<p>But Æschines, another great orator, was angry that this -honour should have been given to Demosthenes, whom he -happened to dislike. So he brought a lawsuit against him, -and attacked his enemy in a speech that became famous.</p> - -<p>But Demosthenes defended himself in a still more brilliant -speech, and won his case, which so annoyed Æschines that -he left Athens and never again returned to the city.</p> - -<p>Six years later, Demosthenes was accused of having -taken bribes. It was not proved that he had done so, -yet he was found guilty and sentenced to pay a heavy -fine.</p> - -<p>As he had not money enough to pay the fine, he was -thrown into prison. Before long he escaped and fled to the -sea-coast town of Ægina, not far from Athens. Often he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">350</span> -would sit on the shore or pace up and down the sands, looking -wistfully toward the city he loved.</p> - -<p>When tidings of the death of Alexander reached Athens, -the Greeks resolved once more to try to fling off the yoke -of Macedon. Demosthenes was recalled to the city, and his -voice encouraged the Athenians in their determination to -fight for liberty.</p> - -<p>But Antipater hastened to Attica with an army, and -soon put down the revolt of the Athenians. He then condemned -Demosthenes to death, for it was well-known that -his Philippics had often roused the Athenians to show their -hatred of Philip, and he had, too, continually spoken against -his son Alexander.</p> - -<p>When Demosthenes heard that he had been condemned, -he fled to the temple of Poseidon, in the island of Calauria. -Antipater at once sent soldiers, led by a man named Archias, -to capture the fugitive. Archias had once been an actor, -and was well known to Demosthenes.</p> - -<p>Archias reached Calauria, and going to the temple he -begged Demosthenes to come out of the sanctuary, saying -that if he did so he would be pardoned.</p> - -<p>But Demosthenes knew that this was a false promise -and he said, ‘O Archias, I am as little affected by your promises -now as I used formerly to be by your acting.’</p> - -<p>Now Archias had been proud of his acting, so this made -him very angry with Demosthenes, and he began to threaten -him with all kinds of evil.</p> - -<p>‘Now,’ said the orator, ‘you speak like an oracle of -Macedon; before, you were acting a part. Therefore wait -only a little, while I write a word or two to my family.’</p> - -<p>Then he rose and went into the inner temple, and taking -a tablet and his own pen in his hand, he sat down as though -to write. He had a habit of putting his pen into his mouth -and biting it, and he did so now. It seemed as though he -was thinking what he would write. But all the while he -was sucking poison which he had concealed in his pen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">351</span></p> - -<p>Then, knowing that the poison would soon do its work, -Demosthenes leaned on the altar, his face hidden in his -cloak.</p> - -<p>Archias had now grown tired of waiting, and he went -into the temple again and bade Demosthenes come, without -more delay.</p> - -<p>The orator rose, uncovering his head, and looking at -Archias, he said, ‘I will depart while I am alive out of this -sacred place.’ But as he tried to walk toward the door he -staggered and fell by the altar. The poison had done its -work.</p> - -<p>Antipater had no interest in the art or in the culture of -Greece, and her glory soon faded under his rule. Athens, -Sparta, Corinth, as well as the smaller states, all ceased -to be independent.</p> - -<p>As the power of Greece grew less, that of Rome was -growing greater and greater. In 196 <span class="allsmcap">B.C.</span> she conquered -Macedon and restored to Greece her liberty.</p> - -<p>Fifty years later, Corinth defied the Roman power, and -treated her ambassadors with insult. The Roman consuls -then sent an army into Greece to conquer the country, and -add it to their great dominions.</p> - -<p>But although the Romans conquered Greece, and so -made her subject to them, they could not escape her influence. -The Greek language was spoken by every educated -Roman, Greek plays were acted at Rome, Greek literature -was read and studied.</p> - -<p>Wherever the Romans went they carried with them the -habits and the culture of the people whom they had conquered. -And the greatest and most precious thing the -Greeks had to teach the world was, ‘the just consideration -of the truth of things everywhere.’</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="index"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">353</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX</h2> - -<ul class="index"> -<li class="ifrst">Achæans, the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Achilles, and Briseis the Fair-cheeked, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">fatal quarrel with Agamemnon, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">the horses of, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>; Hector slain by, <a href="#Page_48">48</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i>;</li> -<li class="isub1">death of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Acrisius, king of Argos, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">killed by Perseus, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Acropolis at Athens, the, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Admetus, king, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ægis of Athens, the, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ægospotami, disaster at, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Æolians, the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Æschines, lawsuit against Demosthenes, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Æschylus, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Agamemnon, king, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Agesilaus, king of Sparta, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alcibiades, <a href="#Page_232">232–236</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">friendship with Socrates, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">expedition to conquer Sicily, <a href="#Page_244">244–248</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">flight to Sparta, <a href="#Page_247">247–248</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">betrayal of Athenians to the Spartans, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">return to Athens, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Antiochus’ disobedience, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">death of, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alexander the Great, at battle of Chæronea, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">and his horse Bucephalus, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">conquests in Greece, <a href="#Page_312">312</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i>;</li> -<li class="isub1">and Diogenes, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">conquest of Persia, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i>;</li> -<li class="isub1">cutting of the Gordian knot, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">illness of, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat of Darius at Issus, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">treatment of Darius and his wife and family, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">siege of Tyre by, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat of Darius at Gaugamela, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">burning of Persepolis by, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">pursuit of Darius, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">treatment of Philotas, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">slays his foster-brother, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">conquests in India, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">victory over King Porus, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">wounded at siege of the citadel of Malli, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">east and west united by, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">death of, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Alexander, king of Thessaly, Pelopidas’ expedition against, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Amphictyonic Council, the, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Amphipolis, surrender of, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Andromache and Hector, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Andromeda and the sea-monster, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Antinous, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Antiochus, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Antipater, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aphrodite, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Apollo, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">and Hyacinthus, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Arachne, story of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Archias, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">and Demosthenes, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Archidamus, invasion of Attica by, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">siege of Plataea under, <a href="#Page_210">210–213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Arginusæ, battle of, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Argos, war with Sparta, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Argus, the hound, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristagoras, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristides, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140–144</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristodemus, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristogiton, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristomenes and the fox, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristophanes, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Aristotle, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Artaphernes, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Artaxerxes, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">march of Cyrus against, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Spartan expedition against, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Artemisium, battle of, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Athene, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Athenian Empire, foundation of, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Athenians, the, taking of Salamis by, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">alliance with Ionians against Darius, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat of Persian army at Marathon, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">victory in bay of Pylos over the Spartans, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">surrender of Spartans at Sphacteria to, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">invasion of Bœotia by, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat at Syracuse, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252–254</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat by Spartans under Lysander, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Athens, city of, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196–199</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war with Dorians, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">oligarchic government of, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">three parties of, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Persian attack on, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">sea-power of, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war with Sparta, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">great men of, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">jealousy of Sparta causing Peloponnesian war, <a href="#Page_202">202</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i>;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">354</span></li> -<li class="isub1">revolt of Mytilene against, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">second Peloponnesian war, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">surrender to the Spartans, <a href="#Page_261">261–263</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Atlas, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Attica, Spartan invasion of, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Babylon, taken by Alexander the Great, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bessus, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bœotia, invasion of, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bœotian League, the, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bow of Odysseus, the, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Brasidas the Spartan, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226–231</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bridge of Boats, Darius’, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Briseis the Fair-cheeked, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Bucephalus, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Callistratus, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Carthaginians, the, expedition against Syracuse, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeated by Timoleon at Crimisus, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cassiopeia, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cecrops, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Chæronea, battle of, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charilaus, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Charon, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cimon, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189–193</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Clearchus, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cleisthenes, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115–116</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cleombrotus, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cleomenes and Aristagoras, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cleon, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222–224</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228–231</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Clitus, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Codrus, the last king of Athens, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Conon, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Conspiracy of the Seven Thebans, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Corinth, the two brothers of, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Crimisus, battle of, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Croesus, king of Lydia, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cyclopes, the, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cylon, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cynoscephalæ, battle of, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Cyrus, king of Persia, and Croesus, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— march against king Artaxerxes, <a href="#Page_264">264–268</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Damocles, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Danae, story of, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Darius, king of Persia, war against Greece, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Histiaeus rewarded by, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Ionian rebellion against, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">expedition against Athens, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat at Marathon, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">death of, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— king of Persia, wars with Alexander the Great, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat near the pass of Issus, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat at battle of Gaugamela, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">retreat and death, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Delian League, the, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Delium, defeat of Athenians at, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Demeter, story of, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Demosthenes, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252–254</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Diodotus, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Diogenes, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dionysius of Syracuse, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dorians, the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Draco, code of laws of, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Dryads, the, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Elpinice and Pericles, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Epaminondas, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271–272</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280–285</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ephialtes the treacherous Greek, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ephialtes the statesman, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Epirus, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Epitades, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Erechtheum, the, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eros, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eucles, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Euaeus the swineherd, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Euripides, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Europa, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eurybiades, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Eurymedon, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Gaugamela, battle of, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gordian knot, the, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gorgo, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gorgons, the, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Grææ, the, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Granicus, battle of, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Greece, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Gylippus, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Harmodius, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hecate, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hector, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hecuba, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Helen of Troy, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hellespont, the scourging of the, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Helots, the, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hephæstion, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hephæstis, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hera, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hermes, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Herodotus, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hipparchus, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hippias, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Histiaeus, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Homer, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Hyacinthus, story of, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">355</span></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Icetes, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ictinus, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx"><i>Iliad, The</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ionians, the, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— revolt of, <a href="#Page_123">123–130</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ismenias, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Lacedæmonians, the, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lamachus, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Leonidas, king of Sparta, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155–158</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Leontiades, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Leuctra, battle of, <a href="#Page_277">277–280</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lotus-eaters, the, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lycurgus the lawgiver, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Lysander, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Mago, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mantinea, battle of, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Marathon, battle of, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mardonius, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Masistius, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Medusa, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Menelaus, king, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Megabetes, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Messenia, city of, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Messenian war, the first, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— the second, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Miltiades, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mindarus, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mycale, battle of, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Mytilene, revolt against Athens, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Naiads, the, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Nicias, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— peace of, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Odeon of Athens, the, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Odysseus, story of, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i></li> - -<li class="indx"><i>Odyssey, The</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Olympian Games, the, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Olympus, Mount, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Oracles, the Grecian, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Orchomenus, battle of, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ostracism, law of, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Paches, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pan, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Paris, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Parmenio, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Parthenon, the, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Patroclus, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45–47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pausanias, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179–181</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pelopidas, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Peloponnesian war, the first, <a href="#Page_202">202–231</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— the second, <a href="#Page_233">233–263</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Penelope, story of, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67–71</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Perdiccas, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pericles, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194–195</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Persephone, story of, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Persepolis, burning of, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Perseus, story of, <a href="#Page_18">19</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Persia, wars with Greece, <a href="#Page_118">118–139</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145–177</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">conquest by Alexander the Great, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pheidias, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philip, king of Macedonia, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306–308</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philip, the physician of Alexander, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philippus, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Philomelus, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Phocians, the, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Phocion, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Phœbidas, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Phyllidas, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pirates, the Grecian, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pisistratus, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109–112</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Polydectes, king, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Polyphemus, the giant, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Porus and his elephant, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Poseidon, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Potidæa, siege of, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Plague in Athens, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Plataea, battle of, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>; siege of, <a href="#Page_210">210–213</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Plato, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Plutarch, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pluto, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Priam, king of Troy, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Propylæa, the, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Protagoras, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Pylos, sea-fight of, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Rome, rise of, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Sacred Band of Thebans, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sacred war, the, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Salamis, siege of, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">—— battle of, <a href="#Page_169">169–172</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Samos, revolt against Athens, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sardis, destruction of, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Satyrus and Demosthenes, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Scythians, Darius’ war against, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sicily, Alcibiades’ expedition against, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war with Carthaginians and Dionysius of Syracuse, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">freed by Timoleon, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">356</span></li> - -<li class="indx">Socrates, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">friendship with Alcibiades, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240–243</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Solon the lawgiver, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sophists, the, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sophocles, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sparta, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war with Messenians, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war against Persia, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156–160</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">wars with Athens, <a href="#Page_195">195</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">destruction of Athenian army at Syracuse, <a href="#Page_249">249–254</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">victory over Antiochus under Lysander, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">surrender of Athens to, <a href="#Page_261">261–263</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">expedition against Thebes, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i></li> - -<li class="indx">Spartans, the, training of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Sphacteria, blockade of, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Syracuse, siege of, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Corinthian expedition under Timoleon to, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a> <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">et seq.</i></li> - -<li class="ifrst">Telemachus, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Ten Thousand, the march of, <a href="#Page_264">264–267</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Thebes, war with Plataea, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">conspiracy to obtain freedom from Sparta, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">rise of, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Sacred War against Phocians, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Themistocles, rivalry with Aristides, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140–144</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">war against Xerxes, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">at pass of Thermopylae, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">at battle of Artemisium, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">tactics to defeat Persian fleet at Salamis, <a href="#Page_163">163–167</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Spartans deceived by, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">ostracised, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">death of, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Thermopylae, battle of, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156–160</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Theseus, king, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Thetis, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Thrace, city of, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Thucydides, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Timoleon, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Timophanes, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tissaphernes, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Trojan War, the, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Troy, city of, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tyrants, Grecian, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tyre, siege by Alexander, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Tyrtaeus, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Xenophon, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Xerxes, king of Persia, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">his dream, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">invasion of Greece by, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">scourging of Hellespont by, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">Athens plundered by, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</li> -<li class="isub1">defeat of his fleet at Salamis, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>.</li> - -<li class="ifrst">Zephyrus, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> - -<li class="indx">Zeus, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> -</ul> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="p4 center smaller">PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY<br /> -THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD.</p> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling, including -ligatures, were made -consistent when a predominant preference was found -in the original book; otherwise they were not changed.</p> - -<p>Simple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced -quotation marks were remedied when the change was -obvious, and otherwise left unbalanced.</p> - -<p>Illustrations in this eBook have been positioned -between paragraphs and outside quotations. In versions -of this eBook that support hyperlinks, the page -references in the List of Illustrations lead to the -corresponding illustrations.</p> - -<p>The index was not checked for proper alphabetization -or correct page references.</p> - -<p>“Potidæa” and “Potidaea” occur with equal frequency -in the text; both spellings have been retained.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF GREECE: TOLD TO BOYS AND GIRLS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 849a84e..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_001.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_001.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 422821f..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_001.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_002.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_002.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c490567..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_002.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_004.png b/old/66070-h/images/i_004.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index daecf88..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_004.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_006.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_006.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7e43670..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_006.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_010.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_010.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index bef5d96..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_010.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_018.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_018.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8a5ab9f..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_018.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_020.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_020.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a020012..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_020.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_034.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_034.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1fcc754..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_034.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_068.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_068.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7f67638..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_068.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_096.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_096.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d7910ed..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_096.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_102.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_102.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3576d2e..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_102.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_136.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_136.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 770041e..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_136.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_170.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_170.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 848c30f..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_170.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_188.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_188.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3f15bf1..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_188.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_196.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_196.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index eb5b874..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_196.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_220.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_220.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index af16096..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_220.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_238.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_238.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f4e0652..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_238.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_258.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_258.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1a5b167..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_258.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_304.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_304.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 952ef52..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_304.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_310.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_310.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 457b066..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_310.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66070-h/images/i_348.jpg b/old/66070-h/images/i_348.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 45bac68..0000000 --- a/old/66070-h/images/i_348.jpg +++ /dev/null |
