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Σκύθαι οἱ νομάδες: cf. iv. 11. 1. 19.

ἐρεθισθέντες ὑπὸ Δαρείου. The idea of a war of vengeance on the part of the Scyths seems a mere fiction (ch. 84), since the expedition of Darius was at least fifteen, and probably twenty years before. Perhaps the Scyths took advantage of the temporary weakening of the Persian Empire by the Ionic revolt; more probably these nomads were some Thracian or Moesian tribe and not Scyths. Grote's suggestion (iv. 201) that it was the Persians and not the Scyths who expelled Miltiades is not what H. says, and rests on Miltiades' supposed treachery to Darius at the bridge over the Danube (iv. 137). But this patriotic scheme is very doubtful; perhaps it was invented when the tyrant of Chersonese had reached Athens (ch. 104), and was anxious to prove himself a true friend of Hellenic liberties (Thirlwall, ii, App. II; Macan, App. iii, § 14; Klio ix. 413).

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