116 HISTORICAL TALES.

Persian invasion upon Greece through bis selfish wish
to get back to his native land.

A few words more will tell all else we know about
Democedes. His last words to his Persian com-
panions bade them tell Darius that he was about to
marry the daughter of Milo of Crotona, famed as
the greatest wrestler of his time. Darius knew well
the reputation of Milo. He had probably learned it
from Democedes himself. Anda Persian king was
more likely to admire a muscular than a mental
giant. Milo meant more to him than Homer or any
hero of the pen. Democedes did marry Milo’s daugh-
ter, paying a high price for the honor, for the sole
purpose, so far as we know, of sending back this
boastful message to his friend, the king. And thus
ends all we know of the story of the surgeon of
Crotona,