These men, then, were bound and put to death. After that, the Athenians sent to bring back Cleisthenes and the seven hundred households banished by Cleomenes. Then, desiring to make an alliance with the Persians, they despatched envoys to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, for they knew that they had provoked the Lacedaemonians and Cleomenes to war.

When the envoys came to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis and spoke as they had been bidden, Artaphrenes son of Hystaspes, viceroy of Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, asked them, “What men are you and where do you live, who desire alliance with the Persians?” When he had received the information he wanted from the envoys, he gave them an answer the substance of which was that if the Athenians gave king Darius earth and water, then he would make an alliance with them, but if not, his command was that they should depart.

The envoys consulted together, and in their desire to make the alliance, they consented to give what was asked. They then returned to their own country and were there greatly blamed for what they had done.