Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

BOOK ELEVENTH.

[blocks in formation]

BOOK TWELFTH.

.

Sect. V. The two Theban generals, at their return, are accused
and absolved. Sparta implores aid of Athens
Sect. VI. Pelopidas marches against Alexander tyrant of Pheræ.
Is killed in a battle. Tragical end of Alexander
Sect. VII. Epaminondas chosen general of the Thebans. His
death and character

263

268

277

Sect. IX. Artaxerxes Mnemon undertakes the reduction of
Egypt

Sect. VIII. Death of Evagoras king of Salamin. Character of that prince

286

289

Sect. X. The Lacedæmonians send Agesilaus to the aid of Tachos. His death

291

Sect. XII. Causes of the frequent insurrections and revolts in the Persian empire

Sect. XI. Troubles at the court of Artaxerxes concerning his successor. Death of that prince

296

297

BOOK THIRTEENTH.

THE HISTORY OF THE PERSIANS AND GRECIANS.

Sect. I. Ochus ascends the throne of Persia. His cruelties.
Revolt of several nations

301

Sect. II. War of the allies against the Athenians

903

Sect. III. Demosthenes excites the Athenians for war. Death
of Mausolas. Grief of Artemisa his wife
Sect. IV. Expedition of Ochus against Phoenicia, Cyprus, and
Egypt

308

314

Sect. V. Death of Ochus. Arses succeeds him
Sect. VI. Abridgment of the life of Demosthenes

321

$22

Sect. VII. Digression on the manner of fitting cut fleets by the Athenians

328

[ocr errors]

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

PERSIANS AND GRECIANS.

CHAP. III.

THE principal contents of this chapter are, the enterprises Cnidos, the re-establishment of the walls and power of Athens, the famous peace of Antalcides, prescribed the Greeks by Artaxerxes Mnemon, the wars of that prince against Evagoras king of Cyprus, and the Cadusians. The persons who are most conspicuous in this interval, are Lysander and Agesilaus on the side of the Lacedæmonians, and Conon on that of the Athenians.

SECTION I.

GRECIAN CITIES OF IONIA IMPLORE AID OF THE LACEDÆMONIANS.-AGESILAUS ELECTED KING. HIS

CHARACTER.

The cities of Ionia *, that had taken part with Cyrus, apprehending the resentment of Tissaphernes, had applied to the Lacedæmonians, as the deliverers of Greece, for their support in the possession of the liberty they enjoyed, and to prevent their country from being ravaged. We have already said that Thimbron was sent thither, to whose troops Xenophon had joined his, after their return from Persia. † Thimbron was soon recalled upon some dicontent, and had for his successor Dercyllidas, surnamed Sisyphus, from his industry in finding reSources, and his capacity in inventing machines of war. He took upon him the command of the army at Ephesus. When he arrived there, he was apprised that there was a difference between the two satraps who commanded in the country.

* Xenoph. Hist. Græc. l. iii. p. 479——-487..
†A. M. 3605. Ant. J. C.399.

The provinces of the Persian monarchy, of which several, situated at the extremity of the empire, required too much application to be governed immediately by the prince, were confided to the care of the great lords, commonly called satraps. They had each of them in their government an almost sovereign authority, and were, properly speaking, not unlike the viceroys we see in our days in some neighbouring states. They were supplied with a number of troops sufficient for the defence of the country. They appointed all officers, disposed of the governments of cities, and were charged with levying and remitting the tributes to the prince. They had power to raise troops, to treat with neighbouring states, and even with the generals of the enemy; in a word to do every thing necessary to the good order and tranquillity of their governments. They were independent of one another; and though they served the same master, and it was their duty to concur to the same ends, nevertheless, each being more affected with the particular advantage of his own province than the general good of the empire, they often differed among themselves, formed opposite designs, refused aid to their colleagues in necessity, and sometimes even acted entirely against them. The remoteness of the court, and the absence of the prince, gave room for these dissentions; and perhaps a secret policy contributed to keep them up, to elude or prevent conspiracies, which too good an understanding amongst the governors might have excited.

Dercyllidas having heard, therefore, that Tissaphernes and Pharnabasus were at variance, made a truce with the former, that he might not have them both upon his hands at the same time, entered Pharnabasus's province, and advanced as far as Æolia.

Zenis, the Dardanian, had governed that province, under the satrap's authority; and as after his death it was to have been given to another, Mania, his widow, went to Pharnabasus with troops and presents, and told him that having been the wife of a man who had rendered him great services, she desired him not to deprive her of her husband's reward; that she would serve him with the same zeal and fidelity; and that, if she failed in either, he was always at liberty to take her government from her. She was continued in it by this means, and acquitted herself with all the judgment and ability that could have been expected from the most consummate person in the arts of ruling. To the ordinary tributes which her husband had paid, she added presents of an extraordinary magnificence; and when Pharnabasus came into her province she entertained him more splendidly than any of the other gover nors. She was not contented with the conservation of the cities committed to her care; she made new conquests, and took Larissa, Amaxita, and Colona *.

From the Lydians and Pisidians,

« ElőzőTovább »