Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/438

 424 STRABO. CASAUB. 278. and gifts, but the chief of them were destroyed either by the Carthaginians l when they took the city, or by the Romans 2 when they took it by force and sacked it. Amongst other booty taken on this occasion 3 was the brazen colossus of Her- cules, the work of Lysippus, now in the Capitol, which was dedicated as an offering by Fabius Maximus, who took the city. 2. Antiochus, speaking of the foundation of this city, says that after the Messenian war 4 such of the Lacedemonians as did not join the army were sentenced to be slaves, and de- nominated Helots ; and that such as were born during the period of the war they termed Partheriiae, and decreed to be base: but these not bearing the reproach, (for they were many,) conspired against the free citizens, 5 but the chief magistrates, becoming acquainted with the existence of the plot, employed certain persons, who, by feigning friendship to the cause, should be able to give some intelligence of the nature of it. Of this number was Phalanthus, who was apparently the chief leader of them, but who was not quite pleased with those who had been named to conduct their de- liberations. 6 It was agreed that at the Hyacinthine games, celebrated in the temple of Amy else, just at the conclusion of the contest, and when Phalanthus should put on his helmet, 7 they should make a simultaneous attack. The free citizens 5 were distinguishable from others by their hair. They, having been secretly warned as to the arrangements made for the signal of Phalanthus, just as the chief contest came off, a herald came forward and proclaimed, "Let not Phalanthus put on his helmet." The conspirators perceiving that the plot was disclosed, some fled, and others supplicated mercy. When the chief magistrates had bid them not to fear, they 1 In the year 213 or 212 B. c. 2 B. c. 209. 3 It is said the pictures and statues taken on this occasion were nearly as numerous as those found at Syracuse. 4 That which commenced about 743 B. c. 5 I have here translated TOIQ TOV r/juou and ot TOV drj^ov by " free citizens." Several notes have been written on the exact meaning of the words, but I am not satisfied that we understand it properly. It might perhaps mean those appointed to the chief rule of the state by the con- stitution. 6 There is little doubt that this passage is corrupt. Ki], a leathern cap or hat, a helmet, &c. See also page 426.