Histories

Straightway that city grew and became great, for not only did Gelon bring all the people of Camarina to +Syracuse [15.3,37.0667] (Perseus) Syracuse and give them its citizenship, razing the township of Camarina, but he did the same thing to more than half of the townsmen of +Gela [14.25,37.0667] (Perseus) Gela, and when the Megarians [*](At Hybla, N. of +Syracuse [15.3,37.0667] (Perseus) Syracuse, on the E. coast of Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily.) in Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily surrendered to him on terms after a siege, he took the wealthier of them, who had made war on him and expected to be put to death for this, and brought them to +Syracuse [15.3,37.0667] (Perseus) Syracuse to be citizens there. As for the common people of +Megara [23.35,38] (Perseus) Megara, who had had no hand in the making of that war and expected that no harm would be done them, these too he brought to +Syracuse [15.3,37.0667] (Perseus) Syracuse and sold them for slaves to be taken out of Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily.

He dealt in a similar way with the Euboeans [*](A colony from +Chalcis [23.6083,38.4667] (Perseus) Chalcis, at Leontini.) of Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily, making the same distinction. The reason for his treating the people of both places in this way was that he held the common people to be exceedingly disagreeable to live with.

By these means Gelon had grown to greatness as a tyrant, and now, when the Greek envoys had come to +Syracuse [15.3,37.0667] (Perseus) Syracuse, they had audience with him and spoke as follows: “The Lacedaemonians and their allies have sent us to win your aid against the foreigner, for it cannot be, we think, that you have no knowledge of the Persian invader of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, how he proposes to bridge the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont and lead all the hosts of the east from Asia (continent)Asia against us, making an open show of marching against Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens, but actually with intent to subdue all Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas to his will.

Now you are rich in power, and as lord of Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily you rule what is not the least part of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas; therefore, we beg of you, send help to those who are going to free Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, and aid them in so doing. The uniting of all those of Greek stock entails the mustering of a mighty host able to meet our invaders in the field. If, however, some of us play false and others will not come to our aid, while the sound part of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas is but small, then it is to be feared that all Greek lands alike will be destroyed.

Do not for a moment think that if the Persian defeats us in battle and subdues us, he will leave you unassailed, but rather look well to yourself before that day comes. Aid us, and you champion your own cause; in general a well-laid plan leads to a happy issue.”