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Aristagoras sailed away in advance, and when he reached Miletus,
devised a plan, from which no manner of advantage could possibly accrue
to the Ionians; - indeed, in forming it, he did not aim at their
benefit, but his sole wish was to annoy King Darius. He sent a
messenger into Phrygia to those Paeonians who had been led away
captive by Megabazus from the river Strymon, and who now dwelt by
themselves in Phrygia, having a tract of land and a hamlet of their
own. This man, when he reached the Paeonians, spoke thus to them:
"Men of Paeonia, Aristagoras, king of Miletus, has sent me to
you, to inform you that you may now escape, if you choose to follow
the advice he proffers. All Ionia has revolted from the king; and
the way is open to you to return to your own land. You have only to
contrive to reach the sea-coast; the rest shall be our business."
When the Paeonians heard this, they were exceedingly rejoiced, and,
taking with them their wives and children, they made all speed to the
coast; a few only remaining in Phrygia through fear. The rest,
having reached the sea, crossed over to Chios, where they had just
landed, when a great troop of Persian horse came following upon their
heels, and seeking to overtake them. Not succeeding, however, they
sent a message across to Chios, and begged the Paeonians to come back
again. These last refused, and were conveyed by the Chians from
Chios to Lesbos, and by the Lesbians thence to Doriscus; from
which place they made their way on foot to Paeonia.
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