The histories of Herodotus;

89-91] JEALOUSY OF THE SPARTANS 305
heard that they ought to wait, though they had suffered such
indignities from the ^ginetae. But as they were preparing
to take their revenge an affair, set on foot by the Lacedaemonians,
became an impediment. For the Lacedaemonians,
being informed of the practices of the Alcmaeonidae toward
the Pythia, and those of the Pythia against themselves and the
Pisistratidae, considered it a double misfortune, because they
had expelled men who were their own friends out of their
country, and because, when they had done this, no gratitude
was shown to them by the Athenians. In addition to this,
the oracles urged them on, telling them that they would suffer
many and grievous indignities from the Athenians, of which
oracles they knew nothing before, but then became acquainted
with them on the return of Cleomenes to Sparta. Cleomenes
got the oracles from the Acropolis of the Athenians; the
Pisistratidae had had them before, and left them in the temple
when they were expelled; and as they were left behind, Cleomenes
took them away. When the Lacedaemonians obtained
the oracles, and saw the Athenians increasing in power, and
not at all disposed to submit to them, taking into consideration
that if the people of Attica should continue free they would
become of equal weight with themselves, but if depressed by
a tyranny would be weak and ready to obey ; having considered
each of these things, they sent for Hippias, son of Pisistratus,
from Sigeum on the Hellespont, to which place the
Pisistratidae had retired. And when Hippias came, in compliance
with their invitation, the Spartans, having summoned
also the ambassadors of the rest of their confederates, addressed
them as follows : " Confederates, we are conscious that
we have not acted rightly ; for, being induced by lying oracles,
the men who were our best friends, and who had promised
to keep Athens subject to us—them we expelled from
their country, and then, having done this, we delivered the
city to an ungrateful people, who, after they had been set at
liberty, and had lifted up their heads through our means, have
insultingly ejected us and our king; and having obtained renown,
are growing in power, as their neighbours the Boeotians
and Chalcidians have already learned full well, and as others
will soon learn to their cost. 1
Since, then, in doing these
things we have committed an error, we will now endeavour,
with your assistance, to remedy the mischief and punish them.
1
I have ventured on a new mode of translating this passage, which
appears to me more in accordance with the Greek idiom. Baehr, whose
version is most simple and literal, renders it, "and perhaps some one else
will learn that he has committed an error" ; meaning the Lacedaemonians
themselves, to whom the speaker doubtless alludes.
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