The Orations of Lysias | Page 3

18. And they were the first and

only ones at that time to banish the ruling families and establish a
democracy, in the belief that freedom of all is the greatest harmony,
and making the rewards of their dangers common, they administered
the government with free minds, (19) by law honoring the good and
punishing the bad, for they thought the wild beasts struggle with one
another, but it is fitting for men to define justice by law, and to obey
argument, and to serve these by their actions ruled by law and taught by
argument.
20. So being of noble descent and of one mind, the ancestors of these
who lie here did many brave and wonderful things, and their
descendants everywhere left by their valor everlasting memorials of
themselves. For in behalf of all Greece they risked their lives before the
countless hordes of barbarians. 21. For the king of Asia, not satisfied
with his own fortunes, but hoping to enslave Europe, sent an army of
five hundred thousand. And thinking, if they could make this city a
willing ally or subdue against its will, they would easily reduce the rest
of Greece, they went to Marathon, believing that the Greeks would be
deserted by their allies, if they should bring on the conflict while
Greece was still undecided how it was best to ward off the invaders. 22.
And still such an opinion prevailed among them about the city from the
previous conflicts, that they believed if they should advance against
another city, they would contend with both that and the Athenians; for
these would eagerly come to aid the oppressed; but if they should come
here first, no other Greeks would dare by aiding others to bring on
themselves open hostility (for the sake of the Athenians). 23. These
then were their plans; but our ancestors, taking no account of the
dangers in war, but believing that glorious death left immortal
testimony to good deeds, did not fear the multitudes of the enemy, but
trusted their own valor. And being ashamed that the barbarians were in
their country, they did not wait for their allies to learn of the matter and
aid them, and they did not think they ought to be indebted for their
rescue to others, but the other Greeks to them. 24. With one accord they
rushed forward, few against many; for they believed death was theirs in
common with all men, and they were brave with only a few, and on
account of death their lives were not their own, and they would leave a
memory of themselves from their dangers. And they thought that even
with allies they could not have conquered those whom they did not

conquer alone. And if worsted, they would perish only a little before
the rest, and if they conquered, they would free the others. 25. And
becoming brave men they did not spare themselves, and did not grudge
their lives for valor, rather reverencing the traditions among them, than
fearing the danger from the enemy. So they erected trophies for Greece
in their country on the borders, over the barbarians who for gain had
invaded a foreign land. 26. So quickly they incurred this danger that the
same messengers announced to the other Greeks that the barbarians had
made the invasion, and that our ancestors had conquered. No one of the
rest (of the Greeks) feared for a coming danger, but rejoiced over their
own safety. So it is not remarkable when such things happened long
ago if the glory of them as if recent is still lauded by all men. 27. And
after this, Xerxes, the king of Asia, despising Greece, and buoyed up by
false hopes, and disgraced by the past, and grieved at the disaster, angry
at its causes, untried by defeat, and with no experience with brave men,
prepared for ten years and came with twelve hundred ships, and led a
multitude of foot so vast that it would be a task indeed to recall all the
tribes collected with him. 28. And the greatest proof of its size is this;
when he could have transported his infantry on a thousand boats across
the narrowest part of the Hellespont from Asia to Europe, he did not
wish to, believing it would take much time. 29. But overlooking the
natural obstacles and the deeds of the gods and human intelligence, he
made a road through the sea, and forced a voyage through the earth,
joined the Hellespont, and channeled Athos. No one agreed, but some
reluctantly submitted, and others gave way willingly. For they were not
able to ward him off, but some were corrupted by bribes. And both
were persuasive, gain and fear. 30. But the Athenians, while Greece
was in this condition,