Greek Texts & Translations

3.1.20Now Meidias, who was expecting the coming of Pharnabazus and on the other hand was by this time afraid of his own citizens, sent to Dercylidas and said that he would come to a conference with him if he should first receive hostages. And Dercylidas sent him one man from each of the cities of the allies, and bade him take as many and whoever he pleased. Meidias took ten and came forth from the city, and when he met Dercylidas asked him on what conditions he could be an ally of the Lacedaemonians. Dercylidas replied, on condition of allowing his citizens to be free and independent; and as he said this he proceeded to advance upon Scepsis. 3.1.21Then Meidias, realizing that he would not be able, against the will of the citizens, to prevent his doing so, allowed him to enter the city. And Dercylidas, when he had sacrificed to Athena on the acropolis of Scepsis, led forth Meidias' garrison, gave over the city to the citizens, and then, after exhorting them to order their public life as Greeks and freemen should, departed from the city and led his army against Gergis. And many of the Scepsians took part in the escort which accompanied him on his way, paying him honour and being well pleased at what had been done, 3.1.22and Meidias also followed along with him and urged him to give over the city of the Gergithians to him. And Dercylidas told him only that he would not fail to obtain any of his rights; and as he said this, he was approaching the gates of the city together with Meidias, and the army was following him in double file as though on a peaceful mission.

Now the men on the towers of Gergis, which were ^note extremely high, did not throw their missiles because they saw Meidias with him; and when Dercylidas said: “Bid them open the gates, Meidias, so that you may lead the way and I may go with you to the temple and there sacrifice to Athena,” Meidias, although he shrank from opening the gates, nevertheless out of fear that he might be seized on the spot, gave the order to open them. 3.1.23When Dercylidas entered he proceeded to the acropolis, keeping Meidias with him as before; and he ordered the rest of his soldiers to take their positions along the walls while he, with those about him, sacrificed to Athena. When the sacrifice had been completed he made proclamation that the spearmen of Meidias' bodyguard should take their positions at the van of his own army, saying that they were to serve him as mercenaries; for Meidias, he said, no longer had anything to fear. 3.1.24Then Meidias, not knowing what to do, said: “Well as for me,” said he, “I will go away to prepare hospitality for you.” And Dercylidas replied: “No, by Zeus, for it would be shameful for me, who have just sacrificed, to be entertained by you instead of entertaining you. Stay, therefore, with us, and while the dinner is preparing you and I will think out what is fair toward one another and act accordingly.”

3.1.25When they were seated Dercylidas began asking questions: “Tell me, Meidias, did your father leave you master of his property?” “Yes, indeed,” he said. “And how many houses had you? How many farms? How many pastures?” As Meidias began to make a list, the Scepsians who were present said, “He is deceiving you, Dercylidas.” 3.1.26“Now don't you,” said he, “be too petty about the details.” When the list of the inheritance of Meidias had been made Dercylidas said: “Tell me, to whom did Mania belong?” They all said that she belonged to Pharnabazus. “Then,” said he, “do not her possessions belong to Pharnabazus too?” “Yes, indeed,” they said. “Then they must be ours,” he said, “since we are victorious; for Pharnabazus is our enemy. Let some one, then,” said he, “lead the way to the place where the possessions of Mania—or rather of Pharnabazus—are stored.” 3.1.27Now when the rest led the way to the dwelling of Mania, to which Meidias had succeeded, the latter also followed. And when Dercylidas entered he called the stewards, told his servants to seize them, and announced to them that if they were caught concealing any of Mania's property they should have their throats cut on the spot; so they showed it to him. When he had seen all, he shut it up, sealed it, and set a guard upon it.