Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/39

 EVAGORAS DESPOT OF SALAMlS. 17 Notwithstanding such untoward circumstances, in which the youth of the Teukrid Evagoras at Salamis was passed, he mani- fested at an early age so much energy both of mind and body, and so much power of winning popularity, that he became at once a marked man both among Greeks and Phoenicians. It was about this time that the Phoenician despot was slain, through a conspi- racy formed by a Kitian or Tyrian named Abdemon, who got possession of his sceptre. 1 The usurper, mistrustful of his posi- tion, and anxious to lay hands upon all conspicuous persons who might be capable of doing him mischief, tried to seize Evagoras ; but the latter escaped and passed over to Soli and Kilikia. Though thus to all appearance a helpless exile, he found means to strike a decisive blow, while the new usurpation, stained by its first violences and rapacity, was surrounded by enemies, doubters, or neutrals, without having yet established any firm footing. He crossed over from Soli in Kilikia, with a small but determined band of about fifty followers, obtained secret admission by a postern gate of Salamis, and assaulted Abdemon by night in his palace. In spite of a vastly superior number of guards, this en- terprise was conducted with such extraordinary daring and judg- ment, that Abdemon perished, and Evagoras became despot in hia place. 9 The splendor of this exploit was quite sufficient to seat Evago ras unopposed on the throne, amidst a population always accus- tomed to princely government ; while among the Salaminian Greeks he was still farther endeared by his Teukrid descent. 3 His conduct fully justified the expectations entertained. Not merely did he refrain from bloodshed, or spoliation, or violence for 1 Thcopompus (Fr. Ill) calls Abdemon a Kitian; Diodorus (xiv, 98) calls him a Tyrian. Movers (p. 206) thinks that both are correct, and that he was a Kitian living at Tyre, who had migrated from Salamis during the Athenian preponderance there. There were Kitians, not natives of the town of Kition, but belonging to the ancient population of the island, living in the various towns of Cyprus ; and there were also Kitians mentioned as resident at Sidon (Diogen. Laert. Vit. Zenon. s. 6). Theopomp. Fragm. Ill, ed. Wichera and ed. Didot. Diodor. xiv, 98. The two latter mention the name, Audymon or Abdemon, which Isokra- '^?s does not specify. 3 Isokrates, Or. iii, (Nikokles) s. 33. VOL. X. 20C.
 * Isokrates, Or. ix, (Evagoras) s. 29-35; also Or. iii, (Nikokl.) s. 33;