herodotus

was very indignant that he should be dishonoured by Peisistratos; andin his anger straightway he proceeded to compose his quarrel with themen of his faction. And when Peisistratos heard of that which wasbeing done against himself, he departed wholly from the land and cameto Eretria, where he took counsel together with his sons: and theadvice of Hippias having prevailed, that they should endeavour to winback the despotism, they began to gather gifts of money from thoseStates which owed them obligations for favours received: and manycontributed great sums, but the Thebans surpassed the rest in thegiving of money. Then, not to make the story long, time elapsed and atlast everything was prepared for their return. For certain Argivescame as mercenaries from the Peloponnesus, and a man of Naxos had cometo them of his own motion, whose name was Lygdamis, and showed verygreat zeal in providing both money and men. 62. So starting fromEretria after the lapse of ten years[74] they returned back; and inAttica the first place of which they took possession was Marathon.While they were encamping here, their partisans from the city came tothem, and also others flowed in from the various demes, to whomdespotic rule was more welcome than freedom. So these were gatheringthemselves together; but the Athenians in the city, so long asPeisistratos was collecting the money, and afterwards when he tookpossession of Marathon, made no account of it; but when they heardthat he was marching from Marathon towards the city, then they went tothe rescue against him. These then were going in full force to fightagainst the returning exiles, and the forces of Peisistratos, as theywent towards the city starting from Marathon, met them just when theycame to the temple of Athene Pallenis, and there encamped opposite tothem. Then moved by divine guidance[75] there came into the presenceof Peisistratos Amphilytos the Arcarnanian,[76] a soothsayer, whoapproaching him uttered an oracle in hexameter verse, saying thus:"But now the cast hath been made and the net hath been widely extended,And in the night the tunnies will dart through the moon-lighted waters."63. This oracle he uttered to him being divinely inspired, andPeisistratos, having understood the oracle and having said that heaccepted the prophecy which was uttered, led his army against theenemy. Now the Athenians from the city were just at that time occupiedwith the morning meal, and some of them after their meal with games ofdice or with sleep; and the forces of Peisistratos fell upon theAthenians and put them to flight. Then as they fled, Peisistratosdevised a very skilful counsel, to the end that the Athenians mightnot gather again into one body but might remain scattered abroad. Hemounted his sons on horseback and sent them before him; and overtakingthe fugitives they said that which was commanded them by Peisistratos,bidding them be of good cheer and that each man should depart to his