Histories

Periander, however, understood what had been done, and perceived that Thrasybulus had counselled him to slay those of his townsmen who were outstanding in influence or ability; with that he began to deal with his citizens in an evil manner. Whatever act of slaughter or banishment Cypselus had left undone, that Periander brought to accomplishment. In a single day he stripped all the women of Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth naked, because of his own wife +Melissa [17.0333,39.3] (Perseus) Melissa.[*](Killed by her husband, perhaps accidentally; cp. Hdt. 3.50.)

Periander had sent messengers to the Oracle of the Dead on the river +Acheron (river), South Island, New Zealand, Oceania Acheron in +Nomo Thesprotias [20.333,39.5] (department), Epirus, Greece, Europe Thesprotia to enquire concerning a deposit that a friend had left, but +Melissa [17.0333,39.3] (Perseus) Melissa, in an apparition, said that she would tell him nothing, nor reveal where the deposit lay, for she was cold and naked. The garments, she said, with which Periander had buried with her had never been burnt, and were of no use to her. Then, as evidence for her husband that she spoke the truth, she added that Periander had put his loaves into a cold oven.

When this message was brought back to Periander (for he had had intercourse with the dead body of +Melissa [17.0333,39.3] (Perseus) Melissa and knew her token for true), immediately after the message he made a proclamation that all the Corinthian women should come out into the temple of Hera. They then came out as to a festival, wearing their most beautiful garments, and Periander set his guards there and stripped them all alike, ladies and serving-women, and heaped all the clothes in a pit, where, as he prayed to +Melissa [17.0333,39.3] (Perseus) Melissa, he burnt them.

When he had done this and sent a second message, the ghost of +Melissa [17.0333,39.3] (Perseus) Melissa told him where the deposit of the friend had been laid. “This, then, Lacedaimonians, is the nature of tyranny, and such are its deeds.

We Corinthians marvelled greatly when we saw that you were sending for Hippias, and now we marvel yet more at your words to us. We entreat you earnestly in the name of the gods of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas not to establish tyranny in the cities, but if you do not cease from so doing and unrighteously attempt to bring Hippias back, be assured that you are proceeding without the Corinthians' consent.”