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Herodotus · Histories §5.2.1-5.2.2

Megabazus's March and Conquest of Thrace

Passage 771 of 1577 · Greek

Summary

Having conquered Perinthus by force of numbers, Megabazus marches his army through Thrace, subduing all its cities and nations in accordance with King Darius's command.

§5.2.1τὰ μὲν δὴ ἀπὸ Παιόνων πρότερον γενόμενα ὧδε ἐγένετο·
The events that had previously occurred on the part of the Paeonians took place in this way.
τότε δὲ ἀνδρῶν ἀγαθῶν περὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίης γινομένων τῶν Περινθίων οἱ Πέρσαι τε καὶ ὁ Μεγάβαζος ἐπεκράτησαν πλήθεϊ.
But on this occasion, although the Perinthians proved themselves brave men in the defense of their freedom, the Persians and Megabazus prevailed over them by force of numbers.
§5.2.2ὡς δὲ ἐχειρώθη ἡ Πέρινθος, ἤλαυνε Μεγάβαζος τὸν στρατὸν διὰ τῆς Θρηίκης, πᾶσαν πόλιν καὶ πᾶν ἔθνος τῶν ταύτῃ οἰκημένων ἡμερούμενος βασιλέι.
When Perinthus had been subdued, Megabazus marched his army through Thrace, bringing every city and every nation of those dwelling in these parts into subjection to the King.
ταῦτα γάρ οἱ ἐνετέταλτο ἐκ Δαρείου, Θρηίκην καταστρέφεσθαι.
For this command had been laid upon him by Darius: to conquer Thrace.

Notes

  1. 5.2.1ἀνδρῶν ἀγαθῶν περὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίης γινομένων τῶν Περινθίων — A genitive absolute construction. The combination of the verb γίνομαι and the noun phrase ἀνήρ ἀγαθός (a brave/good man) means 'to behave bravely' or 'to fight well.' Here, it has a concessive force ('although...').
  2. 5.2.2οἱ — The dative of the third-person singular pronoun (to him, i.e., Megabazus). Although easily confused with the relative pronoun, here it is the personal pronoun functioning as the indirect object of the pluperfect passive verb ἐνετέταλτο (had been commanded).
  3. 5.2.2Θρηίκην καταστρέφεσθαι — An infinitive clause functioning as an appositive to the demonstrative pronoun ταῦτα (these things), explaining the specific content of the command laid upon Megabazus ('to conquer Thrace').

Cite this passage

Herodotus, Histories §5.2.1-5.2.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0016.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:5.2.1-5.2.2

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