ined to the
highest point of valour in that which relates to war: and their fighting
is of this fashion, namely with bows and arrows and a short spear, and
they go into battle wearing trousers and with caps 32 on their heads.
Thus they are easily conquered. Then again they who occupy that
continent have good things in such quantity as not all the other nations
of the world together possess; first gold, then silver and bronze and
embroidered garments and beasts of burden and slaves; all which ye might
have for yourselves, if ye so desired. And the nations moreover dwell
in such order one after the other as I shall declare:--the Ionians here;
and next to them the Lydians, who not only dwell in a fertile land, but
are also exceedingly rich in gold and silver," 33--and as he said this
he pointed to the map of the Earth, which he carried with him engraved
upon the tablet,--"and here next to the Lydians," continued Aristagoras,
"are the Eastern Phrygians, who have both the greatest number of sheep
and cattle 34 of any people that I know, and also the most abundant
crops. Next to the Phrygians are the Cappadokians, whom we call Syrians;
and bordering upon them are the Kilikians, coming down to this 35 sea,
in which lies the island of Cyprus here; and these pay five hundred
talents to the king for their yearly tribute. Next to these Kilikians
are the Armenians, whom thou mayest see here, and these also have great
numbers of sheep and cattle. Next to the Armenians are the Matienians
occupying this country here; and next to them is the land of Kissia
here, in which land by the banks of this river Choaspes is situated that
city of Susa where the great king has his residence, and where the money
is laid up in treasuries. After ye have taken this city ye may then with
good courage enter into a contest with Zeus in the matter of wealth.
Nay, but can it be that ye feel yourselves bound to take upon you the
risk of 36 battles against Messenians and Arcadians and Argives, who are
equally matched against you, for the sake of land which is not much in
extent nor very fertile, and for confines which are but small, though
these peoples have neither gold nor silver at all, for the sake of which
desire incites one to fight and to die,--can this be, I say, and will
ye choose some other way now, when it is possible for you easily to have
the rule over all Asia?" Aristagoras spoke thus, and Cleomenes answered
him saying: "Guest-friend from Miletos