CARTHAGINIAN CAPTIVITY.

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Phaton, the son of Helios, one day prevailed on his father to permit him to drive the chariot of the Sun; but the horses scorned the young charioteer, and ran wildly and disorderly through the heavens. First of all they set fire to the sky itself, and caused that track which we call the milky way. Next they burnt up a great part of the earth and laid waste many countries. At last Zeus was so enraged, that he threw a thunderbolt at Phæton and hurled him into the river Eridanus; and the Heliade, the sisters of Phaton, who had yoked the steeds to the chariot, were so violently grieved at his death, that they were transformed into poplar trees, and every year distilled their tears, which become amber of excellent beauty and bright

ness.

"But to go on with my story. After some months of slow voyaging, we again approached Tartessus and the Pillars, but on sending a ship forward to reconnoitre, we discovered that a large Carthaginian fleet, of at least thirty ships, was stationed at the Pillars to cut off our return. There was nothing for it but to try to creep through the straits at night-time, and the plan was successful for every one but me. I was captain of the last ship, and as morning had just begun to break, my ship was discovered. I and my crew were taken prisoners and carried to Carthage, but I was separated from the others and thrown into a dungeon. After some weeks I was removed from the cell to a well-furnished but strongly-guarded apartment, where I was most sumptuously entertained on the choicest meats and richest wines. The horrible thought soon flashed across my mind, that I was to be publicly sacrificed to Moloch. The people who waited on me did not know a word of the Greek language, nor could I speak a word of the Carthaginian. My agony was intense. I would have made away with myself, but had no knife or any other weapon at hand.

"One night I had a horrible dream, which I cannot

even now call to mind without shuddering. I thought I was in the great unroofed temple of Moloch, with the clear blue sky above me and countless multitudes around. I could hear distinctly the singing of hymns, the clashing of cymbals, and the roar of the assembled thousands. I could see the long procession, the garlands of flowers and the white robes of the priestesses, and the splendid vestments and long grisly beards and fiery eyes of the priests. I seemed to be separated from myself, and to be gazing on my own sacrifice. I beheld myself stabbed on the altar, and my heart plucked out and placed in a golden dish before the terrible brazen image. At that very moment I was awakened by a familiar voice which turned out to be the voice of my own mate. 'We are free,' he said, 'follow me!' I was trembling with terror, but at once arose and followed him. A Carthaginian was waiting outside, and led us to the harbour; and next morning we found ourselves on board a vessel bound for Sicily. It seems that the captain of the ship which took us, recognised the mate as having saved his life at some Greek port, and accordingly offered to release him at once. My mate, however, would not go without me, and the captain contrived to bribe the priests to suffer us both to escape; for it had been really intended that I should be sacrificed. What became of the poor crew I never heard for certain. They were, I believe, all drafted off to the farms and mines, but some of them, I was told, escaped to Cyrene.

"As for myself, I reached Italy in safety, and of course my return made my father happier than ever. He had avenged himself upon the Carthaginians, and enriched the whole colony; but had done so, as he thought, at the expense of his only son, and at the sacrifice of a good ship's crew. Things, however, might have been much worse, and having recovered me, he became very grand and commanding. Sometimes he would talk of fresh expeditions, and begin to sharpen his old cutlass and polish his board

AN OLD ADMIRAL.

ing pike; but he never went any farther.

113

After his

death I gave up cultivating the land, and took entirely to trade, and have been between Italy and Corinth oftener than any man in this house. But that is neither here nor there: I have quite finished my story."

We shall not retail more of the yarns and conversation at the Golden Fleece. Herodotus was interested in all he heard, but retired to rest at an early hour, in order that he might wake refreshed and thoroughly prepared for his journey on the ensuing day.

114

CHAP. IX.

MYCENÆ, ARGOS, AND TEGEA, B. c. 460.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PELOPONNESUS.

HERODOTUS LEAVES CORINTH FOR ARGOS. PASSES BY THE VALLEY OF NEMEA. HERACLES AND THE NEMEAN LION. — DINNER IN THE VALLEY. ANCIENT CITY OF MYCENE. GATE OF LIONS AND TREASURY OF ATREUS. - GREAT TEMPLE OF HERA. ARGOS.-LEGEND OF 10 PHILOSOPHISED. - ANCIENT SUPREMACY OF ARGOS. -STRUGGLE WITH SPARTA.BLOODY AND SACRILEGIOUS CONDUCT OF THE SPARTAN KING CLEOMENES. RECENT ALLIANCE BETWEEN ARGOS AND ATHENS. HERODOTUS SETS OUT FOR SPARTA. TRADITION OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN THREE HUNDRED ARGIVES AND THREE HUNDRED SPARTANS. TEGEA IN ARCADIA. HERODOTUS HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED BY AN ARCADIAN HOST. ANCIENT WAR BETWEEN TEGEA AND SPARTA. TRADITION OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE BONES OF ORESTES. SPARTAN SUPREMACY.

THE peninsula of the Peloponnesus spreads from the narrow Corinthian isthmus boldly into the Mediterranean Sea, in the rude resemblance of an outstretched palm. The centre is formed by the rugged hills of Arcadia, the Switzerland of Greece. The northern coast embraced Achaia, the western Elis, the eastern Argolis, whilst the extensive southern quarter belonged to Lacedæmon or Laconia. The city of Corinth, as we have already mentioned, was situated on the narrow isthmus at the northeastern corner of the Peloponnesus, and consequently just above the territory of Argolis or Argos. Accordingly, from Corinth the road lay in a southerly direction past Mycena to the city of Argos; and from Argos, again, in a south-westerly direction to the city of Tegea in Arcadia. From Tegea it branched off in two directions: one ran full west through Arcadia to Olympia, in the territory of Elis; the other due south, to the celebrated city of Sparta or Lacedæmon. We shall have occasion

HERODOTUS LEAVES CORINTH FOR ARGOS.

115

more than once to refer to these particulars, in describing Herodotus's excursions in the Peloponnesus.

It was on a beautiful spring morning that our young traveller bade adieu to Phylarchus, and rode on horseback through the streets of Corinth, followed by his slave, who trudged manfully on foot. The streets were as yet silent and empty, for the sun was only just rising above the horizon, and all the business and gaiety of the city was wrapped in repose. The freshness of the breeze, and the prospect of a pleasant journey, inspired Herodotus with joyous enthusiasm; and on leaving Corinth behind him, he began to call to mind all the traditions of the country through which he was passing, and to endeavour to identify the several localities. The road from Corinth may be described as a long mountain defile leading to the great plain of Argos. The ravine even intersected the walls which surrounded Corinth; and throughout the whole route the rocks were wild and precipitous, though many mountain streams crossed the road, and rich and cultivated districts were by no means rare. In about two hours and a half Herodotus passed by the circular and isolated hill upon which the little ancient town of Cleonæ rose in a succession of terraces; and leaving it on his left, he spurred westward towards the Valley of Nemea, to gaze upon the scene of one of the earliest exploits of Heracles the hero. In olden time this valley had been haunted by the terrible Nemean Lion; and there in the rugged rocks on the southern side, and close by the Pass of Treton, which led to Mycenae, was still to be seen the huge cavern which formed his bloody lair. None had dared to approach that horrible monster, the offspring of the serpent-woman Echidna by the fire-breathing Typhon. Flocks and herds, and even men, women, and children, were his daily victims. Eurystheus, the king of the country, was in despair till mighty Heracles, the slayer of the huge lion which had haunted Mount Citharon, under