fighting for a free commonwealth, he fought for himself, and whatever he took in hand, he was zealous to do the work thoroughly." So the nearly contemporaneous historian describes the change of spirit that was seen in the Athenians after their tyrants were expelled;[1] and Miltiades knew that in leading them against the invading army, where they had Hippias, the foe they most hated, before them, he was bringing into battle no ordinary men, and could calculate on no ordinary heroism. As for traitors, he was sure, that whatever treachery might lurk among some of the higher-born and wealthier Athenians, the rank and file whom he commanded were ready to do their utmost in his and their own cause. With regard to future attacks from Asia, he might
- ↑ Άθηνάιοι μέν νύν ηύξηντο δηλοί δέ αύ κατ' έν μόνον άλλά πανταχή ή Ίσηγορίη ώς έστι χρήμα σπουδαίον, εί καί Άθηναίοι τυραννευόμενοι μέν ούδαμου των σφέας περιοικεόντων έσαν τά πολέμια άμείνους, άπαλλάχθεντες δέ τυράννων μακρώ πρώτοι έγένοντό δηλοί ών ταύτα ότι κατεχόμενοι μέν έθελοκάκεον,ώς δεσπότη έργαζόμενοι έλευθερωθέντων δέ αύτός έκαστος έωυτώ προθυμέετο κατεργάζεσθαι. — Herod, lib. v. c. 87.
Mr. Grote's comment on this is one of the most eloquent and philosophical passages in his admirable Fourth Volume.
The expression Ίσηγορίη χρήμα σπουδαίον is like some lines in old Barbour's poem of "The Bruce."
"Ah, Fredome is a noble thing;
Fredome makes man to haiff lyking.
Fredome all solace to men gives,
He lives at ease, that freely lives."
