The histories of Herodotus;

242 HERODOTUS—BOOK IV, MELPOMENE [95-98
place where they should live eternally, and have every kind of
blessing. While he did and said as above described, he, in
the meantime, had a subterranean habitation made, and when
the building was completed, he disappeared from among the
Thracians ; and having gone down to the subterranean habitation,
he abode there three years. But they both regretted
him, and lamented him as dead ; but in the fourth year he appeared
to the Thracians : and thus what Zalmoxis said became
credible to them. Thus they say that he acted. For my own
part, I neither disbelieve nor entirely believe the account of
this person and the subterranean habitation ; but I am of
opinion that this Zalmoxis lived many years before Pythagoras.
Yet whether Zalmoxis were a man or a native deity
among the Getae, I take my leave of him. These people, then,
who observe such a custom, when they were subdued by the
Persians, followed the rest of the army.
When Darius and his land forces with him reached the
Ister, all crossed over the river, and Darius commanded the
Ionians to loose the bridge, and follow him on the continent
with the forces from the ships. But as they were about to
loose the bridge and execute his orders, Coes, son of Erxandrus,
general of the Mitylenians, spoke as follows to Darius,
having first inquired whether it would be agreeable to him to
hear an opinion from one who wished to give it : " O king,
since you are about to invade a country in which no cultivated
land will be seen, nor any inhabited city, do you let this bridge
remain where it is, leaving these men who constructed it as
its guard ; and if, having met with the Scythians, we succeed
according to our wishes, we have a way to return; but if we
should not be able to meet with them, we shall at least have
a secure retreat. For I am not at all afraid that we shall be
conquered in battle by the Scythians; but rather that, being
unable to find them, we may suffer somewhat in our wanderings.
Perhaps some one may think I say this for my own
sake, that I may remain here; but, O king, I advanced the
opinion which I think is best for you; nevertheless, I will
follow you myself, and would by no means be left behind."
Darius was much pleased with the advice, and answered him
as follows : " Lesbian friend, when I am safe back in my own
palace, fail not to present yourself to me, that I may requite
you for good advice with good deeds." Having spoken thus
and tied sixty knots in a thong, and having summoned the
Ionian commanders to his presence, he addressed them as
follows : " Men of Ionia, I have changed my former resolution
concerning the bridge ; therefore take this thong and do