Histories

Herodotus

Herodotus. Godley, Alfred Denis, translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; William Heinemann, Ltd., 1920-1925 (printing).

Aristagoras came to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis and told Artaphrenes that +Nisos Naxos [25.583,32.33] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Naxos was indeed an island of no great size, but that it was otherwise a beautiful and noble island lying near Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia. Furthermore it had a store of wealth and slaves. “Therefore send an army against that country,” he said, “ and bring back the men who have been banished from there.

If you so do, I have a great sum of money at your disposal, over and above the costs of the force, for it is only fair that we, who bring you, should furnish that. Furthermore, you will win new dominions for the king, +Nisos Naxos [25.583,32.33] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Naxos itself and the islands which are its dependents, +Nisos Paros [25.2,37.1] (island), Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Paros, +Andros [24.9,37.816] (inhabited place), Nisos Andros, Cyclades, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Andros, and the rest of those that are called +Cyclades [24.916,37.416] (department), Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Cyclades.

Making these your starting point, you will easily attack +Euboea [23.833,38.566] (island), Nomos Evvoias, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Euboea, which is a great and a wealthy island, no smaller than Cyprus [33,35] (island), AsiaCyprus and very easy to take. A hundred ships suffice for the conquest of all these.”

“This plan which you set forth,” Artaphrenes answered, “is profitable for the king's house, and all your advice is good except as regards the number of the ships. Not one hundred but two hundred ships will be ready for you when the spring comes. The king too, however, must himself consent to this.”