Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/241

 31-34] PUBLIC FUNERAL AT ATHENS I25 himself hiring some mercenaries. Of this expedition Euphamidas the son of Aristonymus, Timoxcnus the son of Timocrates, and Eumachus the son of Chrysis, were the commanders. They sailed to Astacus, and restored Evarchus; they then tried to gain over certain other towns on the coast of Acarnania ; but, failing in their attempt, they proceeded homewards. Touching at Cephallenia on their voyage, they made a descent on the country of the Cranians, but being entrapped by means of a pretended agreement, and then unexpectedly attacked, they lost a part of their forces; at length, not without a severe struggle, they put to sea again and returned home. During the same winter, in accordance with an old 34 national custom, the funeral of those ^, .„. The Athemaus ccle- who hrst fell in this war was celebrated brate the fimcrai of their by the Athenians at the public charge. dUzeus ivho had died The ceremony is as follows: Three '" ^^'^ «'«'• days before the celebration they erect a tent in which the bones of the dead are laid out, and every one brings to his own dead any offering which he pleases. At the time of the funeral the bones are placed in chests of cypress wood, which are conveyed on hearses ; there is one chest for each tribe. They also carry a single empty litter decked with a pall for all whose bodies are missing, and cannot be recovered after the battle. The procession is accompanied by any one who chooses, whether citizen or stranger, and the female relatives of the deceased are present at the place of interment and make lamentation. The public sepulchre is situated in the most beautiful spot outside the walls ; there they always bury those who fall in war ; only after the battle of Marathon the dead, in recognition of their pre-eminent valour, were interred on the field. When the remains have been laid in the earth, some man of known ability and high reputation, chosen by the city, delivers a suitable oration over them ; after which the people depart. Such is the manner of interment ; and