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Scythes is probably the lord of Zancle, driven out by Hippocrates, who had found asylum with Darius and died at his court at an advanced age (vi. 24). The friendly relations of Scythes with the Persian court would make his son a most suitable envoy. The special information and favourable verdict of H. on both father and son may be explained by the close connexion between Cos and Halicarnassus.

ἐς Δελφούς. Delphi was at the time for submission to Persia as seems proved by the oracles (ch. 140, 148, 169). Grundy (pp. 247-56) suggests that Gelo had no sufficient motive for buying off Persia, and sent the treasure to Delphi (if it was sent) for security; the baser motive was subsequently attributed to him by patriotic Greeks who hated tyranny. But is it incredible that Gelo should try to purchase Persian neutrality by a nominal submission?

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