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16.
While the barbarians were engaged in this task, Attaginus son of Phrynon, a Theban, made great preparations and invited Mardonius with fifty who were the most notable of the Persians to be his guests at a banquet. They came as they were bidden; the dinner was held at Thebes. What follows was told me by Thersander of Orchomenus, one of the most notable men of that place. Thersander too (he said) was invited to this dinner, and fifty Thebans in addition. Attaginus made them sit, not each man by himself but on each couch a Persian and a Theban together.
[2]
Now as they were drinking together after dinner, the Persian who sat with him asked Thersander in the Greek tongue from what country he was. Thersander answered that he was from Orchomenus. Then said the Persian: “Since you have eaten at the board with me and drunk with me afterwards, I would like to leave a memorial of my belief, so that you yourself may have such knowledge as to take fitting counsel for your safety.
[3]
Do you see these Persians at the banquet and that host which we left encamped by the river side? In a little while you shall see but a small remnant left alive of all these.” As he said this, the Persian wept bitterly.
[4]
Marvelling at these words, Thersander answered: “Must you not then tell this to Mardonius and those honorable Persians who are with him?” “Sir,” said the Persian, “that which a god wills to send no man can turn aside, for even truth sometimes finds no one to believe it.
[5]
What I have said is known to many of us Persians, but we follow, in the bonds of necessity. It is the most hateful thing for a person to have much knowledge and no power.” This tale I heard from Thersander of Orchomenus who told me in addition that he had straightway told this to others before the battle of Plataea.
Herodotus, with an English translation by A. D. Godley. Cambridge. Harvard University Press. 1920.
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References (17 total)
- Commentary references to this page
(1):
- Sir Richard C. Jebb, Commentary on Sophocles: Oedipus at Colonus, 839
- Cross-references to this page
(1):
- William Watson Goodwin, Syntax of the Moods and Tenses of the Greek Verb, Chapter IV
- Cross-references in general dictionaries to this page
(15):
- LSJ, Ὀρχομενός
- LSJ, διαπίνω
- LSJ, ἐνδέω
- LSJ, γλῶσσα
- LSJ, ἵημι
- LSJ, κα^λέω
- LSJ, κλι?ν-η
- LSJ, κλίνω
- LSJ, κρα^τ-έω
- LSJ, λόγ-ιμος
- LSJ, μεθίημι
- LSJ, ὁμό-κλι_νος
- LSJ, ὁμό-σπονδος
- LSJ, ὁμο-τράπεζος
- LSJ, ὁποδα^πός
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