iesthood of Zeus the
Liberator, to whom I myself founded a temple, while I bestow liberty
upon you." He, as I say, made these offers to the Samians; but one of
them rose up and said: "Nay, but unworthy too art thou 126 to be
our ruler, seeing that thou art of mean birth and a pestilent fellow
besides. Rather take care that thou give an account of the money which
thou hadst to deal with."

143. Thus said one who was a man of repute among the citizens, whose
name was Telesarchos; and Maiandrios perceiving that if he resigned the
power, some other would be set up as despot instead of himself, did not
keep the purpose at all 127 of resigning it; but having retired to the
fortress he sent for each man separately, pretending that he was going
to give an account of the money, and so seized them and put them in
bonds. These then had been put in bonds; but Maiandrios after this
was overtaken by sickness, and his brother, whose name was Lycaretos,
expecting that he would die, put all the prisoners to death, in order
that he might himself more easily get possession of the power over
Samos: and all this happened because, as it appears, they did not choose
to be free.

144. So when the Persians arrived at Samos bringing Syloson home from
exile, no one raised a hand against them, and moreover the party of
Maiandrios and Maiandrios himself said that they were ready to retire
out of the island under a truce. Otanes therefore having agreed on these
terms and having made a treaty, the most honourable of the Persians had
seats placed for them in front of the fortress and were sitting there.

145. Now the despot Maiandrios had a brother who was somewhat mad, and
his name was Charilaos. This man for some offence which he had been
committed had been confined in an underground dungeon, 128 and at this
time of which I speak, having heard what was being done and having put
his head through out of the dungeon, when he saw the Persians peacefully
sitting there he began to cry out and said that he desired to come to
speech with Maiandrios. So Maiandrios hearing his voice bade them loose
him and bring him into his presence; and as soon as he was brought he
began to abuse and revile him, trying to persuade him to attack the
Persians, and saying thus: "Thou basest of men, didst thou put me in
bonds and judge me worthy of the dungeon under ground, who am thine
own brother and did no wrong worthy of bonds, and when thou seest the
Persians casting th