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Herodotus · Histories §4.93.1

Darius's Conquest and Enslavement of the Getae

Passage 657 of 1577 · Greek

Summary

Before reaching the Ister, Darius conquers the Getae, who, unlike other Thracian tribes that surrendered peacefully, foolishly resisted and were immediately enslaved.

§4.93.1πρὶν δὲ ἀπικέσθαι ἐπὶ τὸν Ἴστρον, πρώτους αἱρέει Γέτας τοὺς ἀθανατίζοντας.
Before arriving at the Ister, he first conquered the Getae, those who believe themselves to be immortal.
οἱ μὲν γὰρ τὸν Σαλμυδησσὸν ἔχοντες Θρήικες καὶ ὑπὲρ Ἀπολλωνίης τε καὶ Μεσαμβρίης πόλιος οἰκημένοι, καλεύμενοι δὲ Κυρμιάναι καὶ Νιψαῖοι, ἀμαχητὶ σφέας αὐτοὺς παρέδοσαν Δαρείῳ· οἱ δὲ Γέται πρὸς ἀγνωμοσύνην τραπόμενοι αὐτίκα ἐδουλώθησαν, Θρηίκων ἐόντες ἀνδρηιότατοι καὶ δικαιότατοι.
For the Thracians who hold Salmydessus and those settled to the north of the cities of Apollonia and Mesambria, called the Cyrmianae and the Nipsaeans, surrendered themselves to Darius without a fight; but the Getae, resorting to obstinate resistance, were immediately enslaved, although they are the most courageous and the most just of the Thracians.

Notes

  1. §4.93.1πρώτους — Predicative adjective used adverbially, modifying the action of the subject: 'first (he conquered the Getae)'.
  2. §4.93.1τοὺς ἀθανατίζοντας — Present active participle of the verb ἀθανατίζω ('to make immortal' or 'to belief oneself immortal'). In Herodotus, it refers to the religious belief of the Getae that they do not die but go to the deity Salmoxis.
  3. §4.93.1ἀγνωμοσύνην — Literally 'lack of judgment' or 'obstinacy'. Here it refers to their reckless and stubborn decision to resist the overwhelming military power of the Persian army.

Cite this passage

Herodotus, Histories §4.93.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:4.93.1

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