The Persians expand their empire - 580 B.C.
Now that the Persians had
overcome the pre-eminent force of Asia Minor, Ionian and Aeolian Greeks
sent ambassadors to Cyrus at Sardis,
and prayed to become his lieges on the footing which they had occupied
under Croesus. This was rejected
as when Cyrus had asked them to revolt
from Croesus they had rejected him.
Ionians returned to fortify their town and send ambassadors to Sparta
to implore assistance.
When the deputies of the Ionians
and Aeolians, who journeyed with all speed to Sparta, reached the city.
They besought the Spartans to come to the assistance of this countrymen,
but they were not to be persuaded, and voted against sending any succour.
The deputies accordingly went their way, while the Lacedaemonians, notwithstanding
the refusal which they had given sent a penteconter (ship
with 50 rowers) with certain Spartans
on board, for the purpose of watching Cyrus and Ionia. On arrival they sent ambassadors to Sardis to prohibit Cyrus, in the name of the Lacedaemonians,
from offering molestation to any city of Greece, since they would not
allow it. (Greece
had 12 cities in Asia Minor).
Cyrus
is said, on hearing the speech of the herald, to have asked some Greeks
who were standing by, 'Who these Lacedaemonians were, and what was their
number, that they dared to send him such a notice?" On receiving
the reply, his speech included "...if I live, the Spartans shall
have troubles enough of their own to talk of, without concerning themselves
about the Ionians."
After the interview, Cyrus
quitted Sardis, leaving the city under the charge of Tabalus, a Persian,
and the Ionians for one of his generals to conquer, and taking Croesus
with him, Cyrus headed towards his main
objective, to take Babylon and furthermore, Egypt. Not having
taken over the Phocaeans who were known to be the best on the sea, the
main task was to take the surrounding areas. After a revolt in
Sardis by Tabalus was put down, quickly Ionia and Aeolian were also
taken.
References:
'Histories' by Herodotus published by Wordsworth
1996
