Histories

Herodotus

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

Seeing that the Greeks would not cease from their harrying and nineteen days had passed, Timagenidas spoke as follows to the Thebans: “Men of Thebes [23.3333,38.325] (Perseus) Thebes, since the Greeks have resolved that they will not raise the siege till Thebes [23.3333,38.325] (Perseus) Thebes is taken or we are delivered to them, do not let the land of Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia increase the measure of its ills for our sake.

No, rather if it is money they desire and their demand for our surrender is but a pretext, let us give them money out of our common treasury (for it was by the common will and not ours alone that we took the Persian side). If, however, they are besieging the town for no other reason than to have us, then we will give ourselves up to be tried by them.” This seemed to be said well and at the right time, and the Thebans immediately sent a herald to Pausanias, offering to surrender the men.