those of mount Ida, which can hardly be said to make a part of their body. They have also in Lesbos five towns; there is a sixth, named Arisba, but this was subdued by the Methymneans, although allied to them by blood. They moreover possess a city in Tenedos 203, and another in the Hundred Islands. The inhabitants of Lesbos and Tenedos, as well as those of the Ionian islands, were, from their situation, secure from danger; the others indiscriminately agreed to follow the direction and example of the Ionians.

they were present at the siege of Troy, under the command of Pylæus, whom Homer makes the general of the Pelasgi. A plain confession, that they were then called Pelasgi as well as others.

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Lesbos.]-The names of Arion and Terpander, of Pittacus, of Alcæus, and of Sappho, and, in after times, of Theophanes the historian, concur in making the island of Lesbos a just object of classical curiosity. Arion and Terpander excelled all their cotemporaries in the science and practice of music; Pittacus was eminent for his wisdom; and of Alcæus and Sappho little more need be said, than that they have ever been considered as the founders of lyric poetry. A proper opportunity seems here to present itself, of informing the English reader, that what has been said of the dissolute manners of Sappho is only to be found in the works of those who lived a long time after her. The wines of Lesbos were esteemed the finest in Greece: it is now called Mytilene, which was the name of the ancient capital of the island.-T.

203 Tenedos.]-The Grecian fleet which proceeded against Troy lay here. It retains its name, is inhabited by Greeks and Turks, and, according to Pococke, exports good wine and brandy.-T.

CLII. The Ionians and Eolians made no delay in dispatching ambassadors to Sparta, who, when there, selected for their speaker a man of Phocæa, whose name was Pythermus. Habited in purple 204, as a means of getting a greater number of Spartans together, he stood forth in the midst of them, and exerted all his powers to prevail on them to communicate their assistance. The Lacedæmonians paid no attention to him, and publicly resolved not to assist the Ionians. On the departure of the ambassadors they nevertheless dispatched a vessel of fifty oars, to watch the proceedings of Cyrus, as well as of the Ionians. Arriving at Phocæa, they sent forwards to Sardis, one Lacrines, the principal man of the party, who was commissioned to inform Cyrus that the Lacedæmonians would resent whatever injury might be offered to any of the Grecian cities.

CLIII. Cyrus gave audience to Lacrines; after which, he enquired of the Grecians around him, who these Lacedæmonians were, and what effective power they possessed, to justify this lofty language? When he was satisfied in these particulars, he told the Spartan, "That men who had a large void space in their city, where they assembled

204 Habited in purple.]-This dress was the most likely to make him conspicuous, as being particularly affected by women.-Larcher.

assembled for the purpose of defrauding each other, could never be objects of terror to him: he farther observed, that if he continued but in health, he would take care that their concern for the Ionian troubles should be superseded by the greatness of their own." Cyrus made this reflection upon the Greeks, from the circumstance of their having large public squares 205 for the convenience of trade: the Persians have nothing of the kind. Cyrus afterwards entrusted the care of Sardis to Tabalus, a Persian; the disposition of the Lydian treasures he entrusted to Pactyas, a Lydian Cyrus himself proceeded to Ecbatane, taking Croesus with him. He held the Ionians in trifling estimation, compared with what he expected in his views upon Babylon and the Bactrians. He was prepared also for more serious resistance from the Sacians and Egyptians; he therefore resolved to take the command in these expeditions himself, and to entrust one of his officers with the conduct of the Ionian war.

CLIV. As soon as Cyrus had left Sardis, Pactyas excited the Lydians to revolt. He proceeded towards

205 Large public squares.]-I have my doubts whether Herodotus was not misinformed in this particular. Xenophon properly distinguishes the public square which was occupied by the houses of the magistrates, and those appropriated to the education of youth, from those places in which provisions and merchandize were sold.-Larcher.

towards the sea, and having all the wealth of Sardis at command, he procured a band of mercenaries, and prevailed on the inhabitants of the coast to enlist under his banners; he then encamped before Sardis, and besieged Tabalus in the citadel.

CLV. Intelligence of this was brought to Cyrus on his march; who thus addressed Croesus on the subject: "What will, in your opinion, Crœsus, be the event of these disturbances? The Lydians seem inclined to provide sufficient employment for me, and trouble for themselves: I am in doubt, whether it will not be better to reduce them altogether to servitude: I appear to myself in the situation of a man, who, destroying the parent, has spared the child-You, who were in every sense the parent of the Lydians, remain in captivity; and yet I am surprized that they, to whom I have restored their city, rebel against my power." Croesus, on hearing these sentiments of Cyrus, was alarmed for the safety of Sardis. "Sir," he replied, your remarks are certainly reasonable; but do not, in your anger, destroy an ancient city, which cannot justly be accused of the former or present commotions. Of its former troubles, I was the occasion, the penalty of which I suffer in my own person: Pactyas, who has abused your confidence, is the author of the present evils; let him, therefore, be the object of your resent

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ment;

ment; but let the Lydians be forgiven, who may easily be prevented from giving you trouble or alarm hereafter. Let their arms be taken from them; let them be commanded to wear tunics under their cloaks, and buskins about their legs; suffer them to instruct their children in dancing, music, and other feminine accomplishments; you will soon, O king! see them lose the dignity of manhood 206, and be effectually delivered from all future apprehensions of their revolt.

CLVI. Croesus was induced to make these suggestions, because he thought that even this situation would be better for his country, than a state of actual servitude. He was well assured, that unless what he had urged was forcible, Cyrus would not be prevailed upon to alter his determination. He reflected also on the probability

of

26 Lose the dignity of manhood.]-These people became so effeminate, that the word ludizein signified to dance: the Romans also called dances and pantomimes ludiones aud ludii, which words are derived, not from ludus, but from the Lydians; for the Latins used Ludus, Surus, Suria, for Lydus, Syrus, and Syria.-Observe, says Larcher, with a warmth that becomes him, the process of tyrants. They begin with introducing luxury, and by corrupting the morals of the people whom they wish to oppress.—T.

Xerxes compelled the Babylonians, who had revolted from him, to adopt a similar conduct. He forbade their carrying arms, and obliged them to learn the practice of music, to have in their cities places of debauch, and to wear long tunics, -Larcher.