BABYLON AND PERSIA

DAREIOS I : FOREIGN WARS. 429will not prefer democracy to kingly rule." Thisargument was found so persuasive, that when thevotes were collected, Miltiades saw himself aloneof his opinion. It was therefore decided to hold thebridge for Dareios. Historians have praised orblamed this decision, according as they took thestandpoint of patriotism and love of liberty, or ofduty to a trust. It was, however, not this latter .feeling, noble under any circumstances, but purelyselfish considerations which influenced the Ionianprinces, proving, at all events, the wisdom of Kyros'policy in placing native tyrants over the cities, thenshowing them favor, honor, and trust. The newlyannexed cities on the Bosporus showed more patrioticzeal, and destroyed or damaged the bridge left in theircharge, so that Dareios, who was now so hotly pur¬sued by the Scythians, even after having recrossedthe Danube, that he could not shake them off onthe march through Thracia, down to the very sea¬shore, had to change his route, and cross the Helles¬pont on ships ;nor did he feel himself safe until hereached Sardis. Thus ended this extraordinary un¬dertaking, the only absolutely unreasonable act thatcan be charged to this great king. Yet his losseswere not so great as his recklessness deserved ; theydid not amount to more than one tenth of his army.And one advantage was gained : the subjection ofthe Greek colonies all along the Thracian shore, theHellespont, and the Bosporus. These latter had topay dearly for their act of rebellion, for Dareios, ashe crossed back to Asia, left a general behind, withanother tenth of his army, on purpose to punishthem and keep the others in obedience.