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All the Cyprians too, excepting those of Amathus, of their own
proper motion espoused the Ionian cause. The occasion of their
revolting from the Medes was the following. There was a certain
Onesilus, younger brother of Gorgus, king of Salamis, and son of
Chersis, who was son of Siromus, and grandson of Evelthon. This
man had often in former times entreated Gorgus to rebel against the
king; but, when he heard of the revolt of the Ionians, he left him
no peace with his importunity. As, however, Gorgus would not
hearken to him, he watched his occasion, and when his brother had gone
outside the town, he with his partisans closed the gates upon him.
Gorgus, thus deprived of his city, fled to the Medes; and
Onesilus, being now king of Salamis, sought to bring about a revolt
of the whole of Cyprus. All were prevailed on except the
Amathusians, who refused to listen to him; whereupon Onesilus sate
down before Amathus, and laid siege to it.
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