Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part III/IX
IX.THE FAMILY OF THE ALCMAEONIDAE.
Its canny founder.
131.Now, already from of old the family of the Alcmaeonidae was illustrious at Athens; for from Alcmaeon himself, most distinguished men appeared in this family. Formerly Alcmaeon had been sent by Croesus, king of Lydia, to consult the oracle of Delphi. And when Cyrus had learnt his services to himself, he invited him to Sardis; and when he arrived he presented him (lit. the same) with as great a weight of gold as he could carry off on his own body at one time. Then Alcmaeon arrived prepared in this way to receive the gift. Clad in a large tunic, in which a great fold had been left, and shod with the largest buskins he could find, he entered the treasure house. There, on coming across a heap of gold shavings, first he stuffed in around his legs as much gold as the buskins would hold. Then, after filling the whole of the fold of his garment, and sprinkling his hair with gold shavings, and at length taking others into his mouth, he came out of the treasure house, dragging along his buskins with difficulty. And when Cyrus had seen him, he did not restrain his laughter, moreover he gave him not only (all) these things, but even added others. So this family was strengthened by great wealth. And the same Alcmaeon, who used to keep horses for yoking to four-horse chariots, carried off the victory at Olympia.
Wanted, a husband.
132.Then, indeed, in the succeeding generation, Clisthenes, tyrant of Sicyon, made the same family so renowned, that it became actually much more distinguished among the Greeks than it had been before. Now, Clisthenes, since he had a daughter, by name Agariste, had determined to give her in marriage to the most distinguished youth he could find of all the Greeks (lit. to the youth whomsoever most distinguished, &c) And when the Olympic games took place, at which Clisthenes was victorious in the race for four-horse chariots, he had given orders that it should be proclaimed by the herald, ‘Whoever of the Greeks thinks himself worthy of becoming son-in-law to Clisthenes, let him come on the sixtieth day (from this) or even before that time to Sicyon, for Clisthenes will have the nuptials of his daughter celebrated on the completion of a year from that time.’ So then the suitors assembled, as many Greeks (lit. out of Greece) as thought highly of themselves, either from their own excellence or that of their country; and for these Clisthenes had ready both a race course and a wrestling school, in which they might contend with each other.
Trial of the applicants.
133.So a very great number of suitors assembled, and among them Megacles, son of the Alcmaeon who had been at the court of Croesus, and Hippoclides, distinguished among the Athenians for his riches and the beauty of his person. And when they had assembled by the appointed day, Clisthenes first inquired their countries, and each man’s descent, and then, detaining them for the space of a year, made a thorough trial of their endurance and courage of mind, and cultivation of intellect, and character; at one time associating with them one by one, at another with all together. Also taking to the gymnastic schools those who were the juniors of the party: moreover he made special trial of them at feasts. Now those who had come from Athens pleased him in general more than the others; and of these Hippoclides was the most approved of by him.
An unfortunate dance.
134.On the appointed day, Clisthenes, having slain a hundred oxen, entertained both the suitors themselves and all the men of Sicyon at a splendid banquet. When supper was over, the suitors began to contend with other, both in singing and orations (on subjects) given out in the midst. But as the drinking bout went on, Hippoclides requested a flute player to play airs suited to the dance; then he began to dance. But this thing was displeasing to CHsthenes (who was) looking on. Then, after a short delay, Hippoclides ordered a table to be brought in for him; and when it was brought, ascending the table he first danced some Laconian measures, then others from Attica; at last, resting his head on the table, he acted in pantomime with his legs. And Clisthenes, after containing himself at the first and second dances, now said, being unable to contain himself further: ‘O, son of Tisander, thou hast, indeed, lost a wife by thy dancing.’ But he replied, ‘Hippodides careth nought.’ Hence arose the proverb.
The fortunate suitor.
135.Then Clisthenes, when silence had been made, said as follows: ‘Men, suitors of my daughter, I praise you all, and would be willing to satisfy all, were it possible. But since it is impossible to satisfy the wishes of all while deliberating about one girl, to those of your number to whom a wife is not given, I give to each one a talent of silver, because you deigned to seek my daughter in marriage, and have been abroad away from your homes; but to Megacles, son of Alcmaeon, I betroth my daughter Agariste, according to the laws of the Athenians.’ And when Megacles had said, ‘I accept the conditions,’ Clisthenes had the marriage confirmed. Thus the Alcmaeonidae had the greatest honour throughout the whole of Greece.