Histories

Periander, who disclosed the oracle's answer to Thrasybulus, was the son of Cypselus, and sovereign of Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth. The Corinthians say (and the Lesbians agree) that the most marvellous thing that happened to him in his life was the landing on Taenarus of Arion of Methymna [26.2,39.3333] (Perseus) Methymna, brought there by a dolphin. This Arion was a lyre-player second to none in that age; he was the first man whom we know to compose and name the dithyramb[*](The dithyramb was a kind of dance-music particularly associated with the cult of Dionysus.) which he afterwards taught at Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth.

They say that this Arion, who spent most of his time with Periander, wished to sail to Italy [12.833,42.833] (nation), Europe Italy and Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily, and that after he had made a lot of money there he wanted to come back to Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth.

Trusting none more than the Corinthians, he hired a Corinthian vessel to carry him from Taranto [17.216,40.466] (inhabited place), Taranto, Apulia, Italy, Europe Tarentum.[*](Terentum) But when they were out at sea, the crew plotted to take Arion's money and cast him overboard. Discovering this, he earnestly entreated them, asking for his life and offering them his money.

But the crew would not listen to him, and told him either to kill himself and so receive burial on land or else to jump into the sea at once.