Histories

The Athenians had sent messages to Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi asking that an oracle be given them, and when they had performed all due rites at the temple and sat down in the inner hall, the priestess, whose name was Aristonice, gave them this answer:

1. Wretches, why do you linger here? Rather flee from your houses and city,
2. Flee to the ends of the earth from the circle embattled of Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens!
3. The head will not remain in its place, nor in the body,
4. Nor the feet beneath, nor the hands, nor the parts between;
5. But all is ruined, for fire and the headlong god of war speeding in a Syrian chariot will bring you low.

1. Many a fortress too, not yours alone, will he shatter;
2. Many a shrine of the gods will he give to the flame for devouring;
3. Sweating for fear they stand, and quaking for dread of the enemy,
4. Running with gore are their roofs, foreseeing the stress of their sorrow;
5. Therefore I bid you depart from the sanctuary.
6. Have courage to lighten your evil.[*](Lit. spread courage over your evils. But most commentators translate “steep your souls in woe.”)

When the Athenian messengers heard that, they were very greatly dismayed, and gave themselves up for lost by reason of the evil foretold. Then Timon son of Androbulus, as notable a man as any Delphian, advised them to take boughs of supplication and in the guise of suppliants, approach the oracle a second time.

The Athenians did exactly this; “Lord,” they said, “regard mercifully these suppliant boughs which we bring to you, and give us some better answer concerning our country. Otherwise we will not depart from your temple, but remain here until we die.” Thereupon the priestess gave them this second oracle:

1. Vainly does Pallas strive to appease great Zeus of +Olympus (mountain), Nomos Larisis, Thessaly, Greece, Europe Olympus;
2. Words of entreaty are vain, and so too cunning counsels of wisdom.
3. Nevertheless I will speak to you again of strength adamantine.
4. All will be taken and lost that the sacred border of Cecrops
5. Holds in keeping today, and the dales divine of Cithaeron;
6. Yet a wood-built wall will by Zeus all-seeing be granted
7. To the Trito-born, a stronghold for you and your children.