* * *

Rhodes is said to have been colonised at the time of the Dorian
migrations by Argive Dorians from Epidauros, who were Herakleidai of
of the family of Tlepolemos. They founded a confederacy of three
cities, Kameiros, Lindos, and Ialysos. Ialysos was then ruled by
the dynasty of the Eratidai. Their kingly power had now been extinct
two hundred years, but the family was still pre-eminent in the state.
Of this family was Diagoras, and probably the ode was sung at a
family festival; but it commemorates the glories of the island generally.
The Rhodians caused it to be engraved in letters of gold in the
temple of Athene at Lindos.

There is a noteworthy incident of the Peloponnesian war which should
be remembered in connection with this ode. In the year 406, fifty-eight
years after this victory of Diagoras, during the final and most
embittering agony of Athens, one Dorieus, a son of Diagoras, and himself
a famous athlete, was captured by the Athenians in a sea-fight.
It was then the custom either to release prisoners of war for a ransom
or else to put them to death. The Athenians asked no ransom of
Dorieus, but set him free on the spot.

* * * * *

As when from a wealthy hand one lifting a cup, made glad within with
the dew of the vine, maketh gift thereof to a youth his daughter's
spouse, a largess of the feast from home to home, an all-golden
choicest treasure, that the banquet may have grace, and that he may
glorify his kin; and therewith he maketh him envied in the eyes of the
friends around him for a wedlock wherein hearts are wedded--

So also I, my liquid nectar sending, the Muses' gift, the sweet fruit
of my soul, to men that are winners in the games at Pytho or Olympia
make holy offering. Happy is he whom good report encompasseth; now
on one man, now on another doth the Grace that quickeneth look
favourably, and tune for him the lyre and the pipe's stops of music
manifold.

Thus to the sound of the twain am I come with Diagoras sailing home,
to sing the sea-girt Rhodes, child of Aphrodite and bride of Helios,
that to a mighty and fair-fighting man, who by Alpheos' stream and by
Kastalia's hath won him crowns, I may for his boxing make award of
glory, and to his father Demegetos in whom Justice hath her delight,
dwellers in the isle of three cities with an Argive host, nigh to a
promontory of spacious Asia.

Fain would