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The Thessalians did not embrace the cause of the Medes until they
were forced to do so; for they gave plain proof that the intrigues of
the Aleuadae were not at all to their liking. No sooner did they hear
that the Persian was about to cross over into Europe than they
despatched envoys to the Greeks who were met to consult together at the
Isthmus, whither all the states which were well inclined to the
Grecian cause had sent their delegates. These envoys on their arrival
thus addressed their countrymen:
"Men of Greece, it behoves you to guard the pass of Olympus; for
thus will Thessaly be placed in safety, as well as the rest of
Greece. We for our parts are quite ready to take our share in this
work; but you must likewise send us a strong force: otherwise we give
you fair warning that we shall make terms with the Persians. For we
ought not to be left, exposed as we are in front of all the rest of
Greece, to die in your defence alone and unassisted. If however you
do not choose to send us aid, you cannot force us to resist the enemy;
for there is no force so strong as inability. We shall therefore do
our best to secure our own safety."
Such was the declaration of the Thessalians.
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