CHAPTER I. OF THE REVOLT OF MILETUS.

of Susa. “Here,” he said, “is the river Choaspes with the great city of Susa, where the King has his palace. Here also are his treasures, on which if ye can lay your hands ye may without fear compare yourselves for riches to Zeus himself. What profit is there to fight, and that many times, for a few furlongs of barren land, with Messenians, men that are your match, or with Arcadians or Argives that have not gold or silver or any such thing, for the getting of which a man might willingly go in peril of his life, and this when ye might be lords of all Asia?” Then said Cleomenes, “Man of Miletus, I will give thee an answer in this matter on the third day.” And on the third, when they came together as had been appointed, the King said, “Tell me, Aristagoras, of how many days is the journey from the sea to this city of Susa?” Now in every thing else Aristagoras had answered him craftily; but in this he was taken unawares. For if he would have had the Spartans come to Asia, he should not have told the truth; but this he did tell, for he said, “It is a journey of three months.” But when the King heard this he would not suffer Aristagoras to say what he would have told about the journey, but cried, “Man of Miletus, depart from Sparta before the setting of the sun; for thou hast nothing to say that can profit the Spartans if thou wouldst take them a journey of three months from the sea.” When he had said this, the King departed to his house. Then Aristagoras taking the garb of a suppliant, went to him and besought him, as he had regard to a suppliant, to listen to him. “But first,” he said, “send away the child;” for there stood by the King his little daughter, whose name was Gorgo. This Gorgo was his only child, being now of eight or nine years. But Cleomenes bade him say what he would, and stay not for the child. Then Aristagoras began with ten talents, promising that he would give him so much if he would help him to that which he desired. And when Cleomenes would not, he promised yet more, till he came to fifty talents. Then the child spake, “Father, this stranger will corrupt thee unless thou rise up and depart.” This counsel of the child greatly pleased Cleomenes, so that he rose up from his place and went into another chamber. After this Aristagoras