r many times as numerous as
ours; so that there is no need for thee to cast this up against us.
Nevertheless because we long for liberty we shall defend ourselves as we
may be able: and do not thou endeavour to persuade us to make a treaty
with the Barbarian, for we on our part shall not be persuaded. And now
report to Mardonios that the Athenians say thus:--So long as the Sun goes
on the same course by which he goes now, we will never make an agreement
with Xerxes; but we will go forth to defend ourselves 113 against
him, trusting in the gods and the heroes as allies, for whom he had no
respect when he set fire to their houses and to their sacred images.
And in the future do not thou appear before the Athenians with any such
proposals as these, nor think that thou art rendering them good service
in advising them to do that which is not lawful; for we do not desire
that thou shouldest suffer anything unpleasant at the hands of the
Athenians, who art their public guest and friend."

144. To Alexander they thus made answer, but to the envoys from Sparta
as follows: "That the Lacedemonians should be afraid lest we should make
a treaty with the Barbarian was natural no doubt; 114 but it seems to be
an unworthy fear for men who know so well the spirit of the Athenians,
namely that there is neither so great quantity of gold anywhere upon the
earth, nor any land so much excelling in beauty and goodness, that we
should be willing to accept it and enslave Hellas by taking the side of
the Medes. For many and great are the reasons which hinder us from doing
this, even though we should desire it; first and greatest the images
and houses of the gods set on fire or reduced to ruin, which we must
necessarily avenge to the very utmost rather than make an agreement with
him who did these deeds; then secondly there is the bond of Hellenic
race, by which we are of one blood and of one speech, the common temples
of the gods and the common sacrifices, the manners of life which are the
same for all; to these it would not be well that the Athenians should
become traitors. And be assured of this, if by any chance ye were not
assured of it before, that so long as one of the Athenians remains
alive, we will never make an agreement with Xerxes. We admire however
the forethought which ye had with regard to us, in that ye took thought
for us who have had our substance destroyed, and are willing to support
the members of our households; and so far as