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第21章

the history-第21章

小说: the history 字数: 每页4000字

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eans were distributed among the other States of the Aeolians; and were everywhere admitted to citizenship。     These; then; were all the Aeolic cities upon the mainland; with the exception of those about Mount Ida; which made no part of this confederacy。 As for the islands; Lesbos contains five cities。 Arisba; the sixth; was taken by the Methymnaeans; their kinsmen; and the inhabitants reduced to slavery。 Tenedos contains one city; and there is another which is built on what are called the Hundred Isles。 The Aeolians of Lesbos and Tenedos; like the Ionian islanders; had at this time nothing to fear。 The other Aeolians decided in their common assembly to follow the Ionians; whatever course they should pursue。     When the deputies of the Ionians and Aeolians; who had journeyed with all speed to Sparta; reached the city; they chose one of their number; Pythermus; a Phocaean; to be their spokesman。 In order to draw together as large an audience as possible; he clothed himself in a purple garment; and so attired stood forth to speak。 In a long discourse he besought the Spartans to come to the assistance of his countrymen; but they were not to be persuaded; and voted against sending any succour。 The deputies accordingly went their way; while the Lacedaemonians; notwithstanding the refusal which they had given to the prayer of the deputation; despatched a penteconter to the Asiatic coast with certain Spartans on board; for the purpose; as I think; of watching Cyrus and Ionia。 These men; on their arrival at Phocaea; sent to Sardis Lacrines; the most distinguished of their number; to prohibit Cyrus; in the name of the Lacedaemonians; from offering molestation to any city of Greece; since they would not allow it。     Cyrus is said; on hearing the speech of the herald; to have asked some Greeks who were standing by; 〃Who these Lacedaemonians were; and what was their number; that they dared to send him such a notice?〃 When he had received their reply; he turned to the Spartan herald and said; 〃I have never yet been afraid of any men; who have a set place in the middle of their city; where they come together to cheat each other and forswear themselves。 If I live; the Spartans shall have troubles enough of their own to talk of; without concerning themselves about the Ionians。〃 Cyrus intended these words as a reproach against all the Greeks; because of their having market…places where they buy and sell; which is a custom unknown to the Persians; who never make purchases in open marts; and indeed have not in their whole country a single market…place。     After this interview Cyrus quitted Sardis; leaving the city under the charge of Tabalus; a Persian; but appointing Pactyas; a native; to collect the treasure belonging to Croesus and the other Lydians; and bring after him。 Cyrus himself proceeded towards Agbatana; carrying Croesus along with him; not regarding the Ionians as important enough to be his immediate object。 Larger designs were in his mind。 He wished to war in person against Babylon; the Bactrians; the Sacae; and Egypt; he therefore determined to assign to one of his generals the task of conquering the Ionians。     No sooner; however; was Cyrus gone from Sardis than Pactyas induced his countrymen to rise in open revolt against him and his deputy Tabalus。 With the vast treasures at his disposal he then went down to the sea; and employed them in hiring mercenary troops; while at the same time he engaged the people of the coast to enrol themselves in his army。 He then marched upon Sardis; where he besieged Tabalus; who shut himself up in the citadel。     When Cyrus; on his way to Agbatana; received these tidings; he returned to Croesus and said; 〃Where will all this end; Croesus; thinkest thou? It seemeth that these Lydians will not cease to cause trouble both to themselves and others。 I doubt me if it were not best to sell them all for slaves。 Methinks what I have now done is as if a man were to 'kill the father and then spare the child。' Thou; who wert something more than a father to thy people; I have seized and carried off; and to that people I have entrusted their city。 Can I then feel surprise at their rebellion?〃 Thus did Cyrus open to Croesus his thoughts; whereat the latter; full of alarm lest Cyrus should lay Sardis in ruins; replied as follows: 〃Oh! my king; thy words are reasonable; but do not; I beseech thee; give full vent to thy anger; nor doom to destruction an ancient city; guiltless alike of the past and of the present trouble。 I caused the one; and in my own person now pay the forfeit。 Pactyas has caused the other; he to whom thou gavest Sardis in charge; let him bear the punishment。 Grant; then; forgiveness to the Lydians; and to make sure of their never rebelling against thee; or alarming thee more; send and forbid them to keep any weapons of war; command them to wear tunics under their cloaks; and to put buskins upon their legs; and make them bring up their sons to cithern…playing; harping; and shop…keeping。 So wilt thou soon see them become women instead of men; and there will be no more fear of their revolting from thee。〃     Croesus thought the Lydians would even so be better off than if they were sold for slaves; and therefore gave the above advice to Cyrus; knowing that; unless he brought forward some notable suggestion; he would not be able to persuade him to alter his mind。 He was likewise afraid lest; after escaping the danger which now pressed; the Lydians at some future time might revolt from the Persians and so bring themselves to ruin。 The advice pleased Cyrus; who consented to forego his anger and do as Croesus had said。 Thereupon he summoned to his presence a certain Mede; Mazares by name; and charged him to issue orders to the Lydians in accordance with the terms of Croesus' discourse。 Further; he commanded him to sell for slaves all who had joined the Lydians in their attack upon Sardis; and above aught else to be sure that he brought Pactyas with him alive on his return。 Having given these orders Cyrus continued his journey towards the Persian territory。     Pactyas; when news came of the near approach of the army sent against him; fled in terror to Cyme。 Mazares; therefore; the Median general; who had marched on Sardis with a detachment of the army of Cyrus; finding on his arrival that Pactyas and his troops were gone; immediately entered the town。 And first of all he forced the Lydians to obey the orders of his master; and change (as they did from that time) their entire manner of living。 Next; he despatched messengers to Cyme; and required to have Pactyas delivered up to him。 On this the Cymaeans resolved to send to Branchidae and ask the advice of the god。 Branchidae is situated in the territory of Miletus; above the port of Panormus。 There was an oracle there; established in very ancient times; which both the Ionians and Aeolians were wont often to consult。     Hither therefore the Cymaeans sent their deputies to make inquiry at the shrine; 〃What the gods would like them to do with the Lydian; Pactyas?〃 The oracle told them; in reply; to give him up to the Persians。 With this answer the messengers returned; and the people of Cymd were ready to surrender him accordingly; but as they were preparing to do so; Aristodicus; son of Heraclides; a citizen of distinction; hindered them。 He declared that he distrusted the response; and believed that the messengers had reported it falsely; until at last another embassy; of which Aristodicus himself made part; was despatched; to repeat the former inquiry concerning Pactyas。     On their arrival at the shrine of the god; Aristodicus; speaking on behalf of the whole body; thus addressed the oracle: 〃Oh! king; Pactyas the Lydian; threatened by the Persians with a violent death; has come to us for sanctuary; and lo; they ask him at our hands; calling upon our nation to deliver him up。 Now; though we greatly dread the Persian power; yet have we not been bold to give up our suppliant; till we have certain knowledge of thy mind; what thou wouldst have us to do。〃 The oracle thus questioned gave the same answer as before; bidding them surrender Pactyas to the Persians; whereupon Aristodicus; who had come prepared for such an answer; proceeded to make the circuit of the

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