Histories

Now on the same day when the Persians were so stricken at Plataea [23.2667,38.2] (Perseus) Plataea, it so happened that they suffered a similar fate at Mykale [26.8667,38.1] (Perseus)Mykale in Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia. When the Greeks who had come in their ships with Leutychides the Lacedaemonian were encamped at Delos [25.2833,37.4] (Perseus)Delos, certain messengers came to them there from +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos, Lampon of Thrasycles, Athenagoras son of Archestratides, and Hegesistratus son of Aristagoras. The Samians had sent these, keeping their despatch secret from the Persians and the tyrant Theomestor son of Androdamas, whom the Persians had made tyrant of +Nisos Samos [26.8,37.75] (island), Samos, Aegean Islands, Greece, Europe Samos.

When they came before the generals, Hegesistratus spoke long and vehemently: “If the Ionians but see you,” he said, “they will revolt from the Persians, and the barbarians will not remain; but if they do remain, you will have such a prey as never again. “ He begged them in the name of the gods of their common worship to deliver Greeks from slavery and drive the barbarian away.

That, he said, would be an easy matter for them, “for the Persian ships are unseaworthy and no match for yours; and if you have any suspicion that we may be tempting you deceitfully, we are ready to be taken in your ships as hostages.”