Herodotus - The Histories.pdf

The Histories–Book Seven V 209
should inform thee what I consider to be the best
course. Detach three hundred vessels from the
body of thy fleet, and send them to attack the
shores of Laconia. There is an island called
Cythera in those parts, not far from the coast,
concerning which Chilon, one of our wisest men,
made the remark that Sparta would gain if it were
sunk to the bottom of the sea- so constantly did
he expect that it would give occasion to some project
like that which I now recommend to thee. I
mean not to say that he had a foreknowledge of
thy attack upon Greece; but in truth he feared all
armaments. Send thy ships then to this island, and
thence affright the Spartans. If once they have a
war of their own close to their doors, fear not
their giving any help to the rest of the Greeks
while thy land force is engaged in conquering
them. In this way may all Greece be subdued; and
then Sparta, left to herself, will be powerless. But
if thou wilt not take this advice, I will tell thee
what thou mayest look to see. When thou comest
to the Peloponnese, thou wilt find a narrow neck
of land, where all the Peloponnesians who are
leagued against thee will be gathered together;