Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/235

 SUCCESS OF DERKYLLIDAS. 213 their commander, wlio tried to earn the satrap's favor by holding out and assuring to him this very strong place. Sending out heralds to proclaim that they would go with Greeks and not with Persians, they admitted the Lacedaemonians at once within the gates. Having thus fortunately captured, and duly secured this important town, Derkyllidas marched against Skepsis and Gergis, the former of which was held by Meidias himself; who, dreading the arrival of Pharnabazus, and mistrusting the citizens within, thought it best to open negotiations with Derkyllidas. He sent to solicit a conference, demanding hostages for his safety. When he came forth from the town, and demanded from the Lacedaemonian sommander on what terms alliance would be granted to him, the utter replied, " On condition that the citizens shall be left free nd autonomous ; " at the same time marching on, without waiting
 * ther for acquiescence or refusal, straight up to the gates of the

trwn. Meidias, taken by surprise, in the power of the assailants, and aware that the citizens were unfriendly to him, was obliged to give orders that the gates should be opened ; so that Derkyllidas found himself by this manoeuvre in possession of the strongest place in the district without either loss or delay, to the great delight of the Skepsians themselves. 1 Derkillydas, having ascended the acropolis of Skepsis to offer a sacrifice of thanks to Athene, the great patron goddess of Ilium and most of the Teukrian towns, caused the garrison of Meidias to evacuate the town forthwith, and consigned it to the citizens themselves, exhorting them to conduct their political affairs as be- came Greeks and freemen. This proceeding, which reminds us of Brasidas in contrast with Lysander, was not less politic than generous ; since Derkyllidas could hardly hope to hold an inland town in the midst of the Persian satrapy except by the attach- ments of the citizens themselves. He then marched away to Gergis, still conducting along with him Meidias, who urgently en- treated to be allowed to retain that town, the last of his remaining fortresses. Without giving any decided answer, Derkyllidas took him by his side, and marched with him at the bead of his army, arrayed only in double fikj so as to carry the appearance of peace, to the foot of (he lofty towers of Gergis. The garrison on the Xen. Ilellen. iii, 20-23.