OLBIA IN ITS DECLINE. -177 Citizens ; while even these presents did not always avert ill treat- ment or pillage. Already the citizens of Olbia had repelled various attacks, partly by taking into pay a semi-Hellenic popu- lation in their neighborhood (Mix-Hellenes, like the Liby-Phe- nicians in Africa) ; but the inroads became more alarming, and their means of defence less, through the rmcertain fidelity of these Mix-Hellenes, as well as of their own slaves — the latter probably barbaric natives purchased from the interior.' In the midst of public poverty, it was necessary to enlarge and strengthen the fortifications ; for they were threatened with the advent of the Gauls — who inspired such terror that the Scy- thians and other barbarians were likely to seek their own safety by extorting admission within the walls of Olbia. Moreover even corn was scarce, and extravagantly dear. There had been repeated failures in the produce of the lands around, famine was apprehended, and efforts were needed, greater than the treasury could sustain, to lay in a stock at the public expense. Among the many points of contrast with Herodotus, this is perhaps the most striking ; for in his time, corn was the gi-eat produce and the principal export from Olbia; the growth had now been sus- p(inded, or was at least perpetually cut off, by increased devasta- tion and insecurity. After perpetual attacks, and even several captures, by bar- baric neighbors — this unfortunate city, about fifty years before the Christian era, was at length so miserably sacked by the Geta5, as to become for a time abandoned.^ Presently, how- ever, the fugitives partially returned, to re-establish themselves on a reduced scale. For the very same barbaiians who had per- secuted and plundered them, still required an emporium with a certain amount of import and export, such as none but Greek settlers could provide ; moreover it was from the coast near Olbia, and from care of its inhabitants, that many of the neigh- ' On one occasion, we know not when, the citizens of Olbia are said to have been attacked by one Zopyrion. and to have succeeded in resisting liim only by emancipating their slaves, and granting the citizenship to for- eigners (Macrobius, Saturnal. i. 11).
- Dion Chrys. (Or. xxxvi. p. 75,) uel filv 7ro7itf.zlTai, nuX?.uKii <5e xoi
idXuKs, etc.
