28 THALIA.

not have assisted in this expedition against Samot.
But notwithstanding these people had the same origin
(the Corinthians having built Corcyra) they had al­
ways lived in a state of enmity. The Corinthians,
therefore, did not forget the affront which they had
received at Samos; and it was in resentment of inju­
ries formerly received from the Corcyreans, that Pe-
riander had sent to Sardis these three hundred youths
of the first families of Corcyra, with the intention of
their being made eunuchs.

L. When Periander had put his wife Melissa to
death, he was involved in an additional calamity. By
Melissa he had two sons, one of whom was seventeen,
the other eighteen years old: Procles, their grand­
father by the mother's side, had sent for them to Epi-
daurus, of which place he was prince ; and had treat­
ed them with all the kindness due to the children of
his daughter. At the time appointed for their depar­
ture, he took them aside, and asked them if they
knew who had killed their mother. To these words
the elder brother paid no attention; but the younger,
whose name was Lycophron, took it so exceedingly
to heart, that at his return to Corinth he would neither
salute his father, converse with, nor answer him ; in
indignation at which behaviour, Periander banished
him his house.

LI. After the above event, Periander asked his elder
son, what their grandfather had said to them. The
youth informed him, that their grandfather had re­
ceived them very affectionately, but as he did not re­
member, he could not relate the words he had used to
them at parting. The father, however, continued to
press him; saying, it was impossible that their grand­
father should dismiss them without some advice. This
induced the young man more seriously to reflect on
what had passed; and he afterwards informed his
father of every particular. Upon this, Periander was
determined not at all to relax from his severity, but
immediately sent to those who had received his son
under their protection, commanding them to dismiss
him. Lycophron was thus driven from one place to
another, and from thence to a third, and from this last