Histories

“My king,” Demaratus replied, “if you in sincerity ask my counsel, it is but right that I should point out to you the best way. It is this, namely that you should send three hundred ships of your fleet to the Laconian land.

There is an island lying off their coasts called +Cerigo (island), Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Cythera. Chilon, a man of much wisdom among us, says about it that it would be better for the Spartans if +Cerigo (island), Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Cythera were beneath the sea rather than above it. This he said because he expected that it would provide an opportunity for attack just as I am suggesting—not that he had any foreknowledge of your force, but he dreaded all men's forces alike.

Let them then make that island their station and set out from there to strike fear into the Lacedaemonians. If these have a war of their own on their borders, you will have no cause to fear that they will send men to save the rest of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas from being overrun by your armies; furthermore, the enslavement of the rest of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas must weaken +Laconia [22.583,37] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Laconia if it is left to stand alone.

If, however, you do not do this, then expect what I will now tell you: a narrow isthmus leads to the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese; all the Peloponnesians will be banded together there against you, and you may expect battles more stubborn than those that you have fought already. But if you do as I have said, then you may have that isthmus and all their cities without striking a blow.”