The histories of Herodotus;

138-140] ALEXANDER SENT TO ATHENS 487
unable to cross it. They, then, coming to another district of
Macedonia, settled near the gardens that are said to have belonged
to Midas, son of Gordias; in which wild roses grow,
each one having sixty leaves, and surpassing all others in
fragrance. In these gardens Silenus was taken, as is related
by the Macedonians. Above the gardens is a mountain, called
Bermion, inaccessible from the cold. Issuing from thence,
when they had possessed themselves of this tract, they subdued
the rest of Macedonia. From this Perdiccas, Alexander
was thus descended. Alexander was the son of Amyntas,
Amyntas of Alcetes, the father of Alcetes was Aeropus, of
him Philip, of Philip, Argseus, and of him, Perdiccas, who
acquired the sovereignty. Thus, then, was Alexander, son of
Amyntas, descended.
When he arrived at Athens, being sent by Mardonius, he
spoke as follows : " Men of Athens, Mardonius says thus : A
message has come to me from the king, conceived in these
terms :
' I forgive the Athenians all the injuries committed
by them against me; therefore, Mardonius, do thus: First,
restore to them their territory ; and next, let them choose, in
addition to it, another country, whatever they please, and live
under their own laws; and rebuild all their temples which I
have burned, if they are willing to come to terms with me.'
These orders having come to me, I must of necessity execute
them, unless you on your part oppose. And now I say this
to you. Why are you so mad as to levy war against the king ?
for neither can you get the better of him, nor can you resist
him forever. You are acquainted with the multitude of
Xerxes's army, and their achievements ; you have heard of the
force that is even now with me; so that even if you should
get the better of us and conquer (of which, however, you
can have no hope, if you think soberly), another much more
numerous will come against you. Suffer not yourselves, then,
to be deprived of your country, and to be continually running
a risk for your existence, by equalling yourselves with the
king, but be reconciled to him; and it is in your power to
be reconciled honourably, since the king is so disposed. Be
free, having contracted an alliance with us, without guile or
deceit. This, O Athenians, Mardonius charged me to say to
you. But I, for my own part, will say nothing of the goodwill
I bear toward you; for you would not learn it for the
first time. But I entreat you, listen to Mardonius, for I see
that you will not always be able to carry on war against
Xerxes. For if I had seen this power in you, I would never
have come to you bringing such a proposal. For the power