TERPSICHORE. 193
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these was Timesitheue of Delphi, concerning whose
gallantry and spirit I am able to produce many testi
monies. These Athenians were put to death in prison.
LXXIII. The Athenians having recalled Clisthenes,
and the seven hundred families expelled by Cleomenes,
sent ambassadors to Sardis, to form an alliance with
the Persians; for they were well convinced that they
should have to support a war against Cleomenes and
Sparta. On their arrival at Sardis, and explaining the
nature of their commission, Artaphernes, son of Hys-
taspes, and chief magistrate of Sardis, inquired of them
who they were and where they lived, who desired to
become the allies of Persia. Being satisfied in this
particular, he made them this abrupt proposition: if the
Athenians would send to Darius earth and water, he
would form an alliance with them; if not, they were im
mediately to depart. After deliberating on the subject,
they acceded to the terms proposed, for which, on their
return to Athens, they were severely reprehended.
LXXIV. Cleomenes knowing that he was reproach
ed, and feeling that he was injured by the Athenians,
levied forces in the different parts of the Peloponnese,
without giving any intimation of the object he had in
view. He proposed, however, to take vengeance on
Athens, and to place the government in the hands of
Isagoras, who with him had been driven from the
citadel: with a great body of forces he himself took
possession of Eleusis, whilst the Boeotians, as had been
agreed upon, seized Oenoe and Hysias, towns in the
extremity of Attica: on another side the Chalcidians
laid waste the Athenian territories. The Athenians,
however, perplexed by these different attacks, deferred
their revenge on the Boeotians and Chalcidians, and
marched with their army against the Peloponnesians
at Eleusis.
LXXV. Whilst the two armies were prepared to
engage, the Corinthians first of all, as if conscious of
their having acted an unjustifiable part, turned their
backs and retired. Their example was followed by
Demaratus, son of Ariston, who was also a king of
Sparta, had conducted a body offerees from Lacedn;-
mon, and till now had seconded Cleomenes in all his
Vol. II. R