The histories of Herodotus;

492 HERODOTUS—BOOK IX, CALLIOPE [4-7
Alexander the Macedonian had already conveyed to the Athenians.
He sent this second time, although before aware that
the disposition of the Athenians was not friendly to him, but
expecting they would remit something of their haughtiness,
since the whole Attic territory was taken and now in his
power. For these reasons he sent Murychides to Salamis.
He, on coming before the council, delivered the message of
Mardonius. And Lycidas, one of the councillors, gave his
opinion that it appeared to him to be best to entertain the
proposal which Murychides brought to them, and to report
it to the people. He delivered this opinion, either because
he had received money from Mardonius or because such was
really his opinion. But the Athenians, immediately being very
indignant, both those belonging to the council and those
without, as soon as they were informed of it surrounded
Lycidas, and stoned him to death ; but they dismissed Murychides
the Hellespontine unharmed. A tumult having taken
place at Salamis respecting Lycidas, the Athenian women obtained
information of what had happened ; whereupon one
woman encouraging another, and uniting together, they went
of their own accord to the house of Lycidas, and stoned his
wife and children. The Athenians had crossed over to Salamis
under the following circumstances : as long as they expected
that an army would come from the Peloponnesus to assist
but when they had recourse to
them, they remained in Attica ;
delay and extreme tardiness, and Mardonius was advancing
and reported to be in Bceotia, they then removed all their
effects, and themselves crossed over to Salamis : they also sent
ambassadors to Lacedaemon, partly to blame the Lacedaemonians,
because they had allowed the barbarian to invade
Attica, and had not gone out with them to meet him in Bceotia;
and partly to remind them of what the Persian had
promised to give them if they would change sides ; and to
forewarn them that, unless they assisted the Athenians, they
would themselves find some means of escape. At that time
the Lacedaemonians were employed in celebrating a festival,
and it was the Hyacinthia with them ; and they deemed it of
the greatest importance to attend to the service of the deity.
At the same time they were busied in building the wall at the
isthmus, and it had already received the breastworks.
When the ambassadors from the Athenians arrived at Lacedaemon,
bringing with them ambassadors from Megara and
Plataea, they went before the ephori, and spoke as follows
" The Athenians have sent us to tell you that the King of the
Medes in the first place offers to restore our country; and,
: