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When the king was on his way to Athens with the Persian army, and
abode for a time at Sardis, Hermotimus happened to make a journey
upon business into Mysia; and there, in a district which is called
Atarneus, but belongs to Chios, he chanced to fall in with
Panionius. Recognising him at once, he entered into a long and
friendly talk with him, wherein he counted up the numerous blessings he
enjoyed through his means, and promised him all manner of favours in
return, if he would bring his household to Sardis and live there.
Panionius was overjoyed, and, accepting the offer made him, came
presently, and brought with him his wife and children. Then
Hermotimus, when he had got Panionius and all his family into his
power, addressed him in these words:
"Thou man, who gettest a living by viler deeds than any one else in
the whole world, what wrong to thee or thine had I or any of mine
done, that thou shouldst have made me the nothing that I now am?
Ah! surely thou thoughtest that the gods took no note of thy crimes.
But they in their justice have delivered thee, the doer of
unrighteousness, into my hands; and now thou canst not complain of the
vengeance which I am resolved to take on thee."
After these reproaches, Hermotimus commanded the four sons of
Panionius to be brought, and forced the father to make them eunuchs
with his own hand. Unable to resist, he did as Hermotimus required;
and then his sons were made to treat him in the self-same way. So in
this way there came to Panionius requital at the hands of Hermotimus.
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