|
The envoys of the Scythians, on being introduced into the presence of
the kings of these nations, who were assembled to deliberate, made it
known to them that the Persian, after subduing the whole of the other
continent, had thrown a bridge over the strait of the Bosphorus, and
crossed into the continent of Europe, where he had reduced the
Thracians, and was now making a bridge over the Ister, his aim being
to bring under his sway all Europe also. "Stand ye not aloof then
from this contest," they went on to say, "look not on tamely while
we are perishing - but make common cause with us, and together let us
meet the enemy. If ye refuse, we must yield to the pressure, and
either quit our country, or make terms with the invaders. For what
else is left for us to do, if your aid be withheld from us? The
blow, be sure, will not light on you more gently upon this account.
The Persian comes against you no less than against us: and will not
be content, after we are conquered, to leave you in peace. We can
bring strong proof of what we here advance. Had the Persian leader
indeed come to avenge the wrongs which he suffered at our hands when we
enslaved his people, and to war on us only, he would have been bound
to march straight upon Scythia, without molesting any nation by the
way. Then it would have been plain to all that Scythia alone was
aimed at. But now, what has his conduct been? From the moment of
his entrance into Europe, he has subjugated without exception every
nation that lay in his path. All the tribes of the Thracians have
been brought under his sway, and among them even our next neighbours,
the Getae."
|
|