Histories

It was in this way that the Parians made peace in Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus, but now these cities began to bring trouble upon Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia. Certain men of substance who had been banished by the common people, went in exile to Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus.

Now it chanced that the deputy ruling Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus was Aristagoras son of Molpagoras, son-in-law and cousin of that Histiaeus son of Lysagoras whom Darius kept with him at Shush [48.333,32.2] (inhabited place), Khuzestan, Iran, AsiaSusa. Histiaeus was tyrant of Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus but was at Shush [48.333,32.2] (inhabited place), Khuzestan, Iran, AsiaSusa when the Naxians, who had been his guests and friends, arrived.

When the Naxians came to Miletus [27.3,37.5] (Perseus) Miletus, they asked Aristagoras if he could give them enough power to return to their own country. Believing that he would become ruler of +Nisos Naxos [25.583,32.33] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Naxos if they were restored to their city with his help and using as a pretext their friendship with Histiaeus, he made them this proposal:

“I myself do not have the authority to give you such power as will restore you against the will of the Naxians who hold your city, for I know that the Naxians have eight thousand men that bear shields, and many ships of war. Nevertheless, I will do everything I can to realize your request.

This is my plan. Artaphrenes is my friend, and he is not only Hystaspes' son and brother to Darius the king but also governor of all the coastal peoples of Asia (continent)Asia. He accordingly has a great army and many ships at his disposal. This man, then, will, I think, do whatever we desire.”

Hearing this, the Naxians left the matter for Aristagoras to deal with as best he could, asking him to promise gifts and the costs of the army, for which they themselves would pay since they had great hope that when they should appear off +Nisos Naxos [25.583,32.33] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Naxos, the Naxians would obey all their commands. The rest of the islanders, they expected, would do likewise since none of these Cycladic islands was as yet subject to Darius.