herodotus

the events were happening which here follow.--As Onesilos of Salamiswas besieging those of Amathus, it was reported to him that Artybios aPersian, bringing with him in ships a large Persian army, was to beexpected shortly to arrive in Cyprus. Being informed of this, Onesilossent heralds to different places in Ionia to summon the Ionians to hisassistance; and they took counsel together and came without delay witha large force. Now the Ionians arrived in Cyprus just at the time whenthe Persians having crossed over in ships from Kilikia were proceedingby land to attack Salamis, while the Phenicians with the ships weresailing round the headland which is called the "Keys of Cyprus." 109.This being the case, the despots of Cyprus called together thecommanders of the Ionians and said: "Ionians, we of Cyprus give you achoice which enemy ye will rather fight with, the Persians or thePhenicians: for if ye will rather array yourselves on land and maketrial of the Persians in fight, it is time now for you to disembarkfrom your ships and array yourselves on the land, and for us to embarkin your ships to contend against the Phenicians; but if on the otherhand ye will rather make trial of the Phenicians,--whichever of thesetwo ye shall choose, ye must endeavour that, so far as it rests withyou, both Ionia and Cyprus shall be free." To this the Ioniansreplied: "We were sent out by the common authority of the Ionians toguard the sea, and not to deliver our ships to the Cyprians andourselves fight with the Persians on land. We therefore will endeavourto do good service in that place to which we were appointed; and yemust call to mind all the evils which ye suffered from the Medes, whenye were in slavery to them, and prove yourselves good men." 110. TheIonians made answer in these words; and afterwards, when the Persianshad come to the plain of Salamis, the kings of the Cyprians set inorder their array, choosing the best part of the troops of Salamis andof Soloi to be arrayed against the Persians and setting the otherCyprians against the rest of the enemy's troops; and against Artybios,the commander of the Persians, Onesilos took up his place in the arrayby his own free choice.111. Now Artybios was riding a horse which had been trained to rear upagainst a hoplite. Onesilos accordingly being informed of this, andhaving a shield-bearer, by race of Caria, who was of very good reputeas a soldier and full of courage besides,[89] said to this man: "I aminformed that the horse of Artybios rears upright and works both withhis feet and his mouth against any whom he is brought to attack. Dothou therefore consider the matter, and tell me forthwith which of thetwo thou wilt rather watch for and strike, the horse or Artybioshimself." To this his attendant replied: "O king, I am ready to doboth or either of these two things, and in every case to do that whichthou shalt appoint for me; but I will declare to thee the way in whichI think it will be most suitable[90] for thy condition. I say that it