LHE ATHENIANS AT MARA-
THON.

Tux time came when Darius of Persia did not need
the bidding of a slave to make him “ Remember the
Athenians.” He was taught a lesson on the battle-
field of Marathon that made it impossible for him
ever to forget the Athenian name. Having dismally
failed in his expedition against the Scythians, he in-
vaded Greece and failed as dismally. It is the story
of this important event which we have next to tell.

And here it may be well to remark what terrible
consequences to mankind the ambition of a single
man may cause. The invasion of Greece, and all that
came from it, can be traced in a direct line of events
from the deeds of Histizus, tyrant of Miletus, who
first saved Darius from annihilation by the Scythians,
then roused the Jonians to rebellion, and, finally,
through the medium of Aristagoras, induced the
Athenians to come to their aid and take part in the
burning of Sardis. This roused Darius, who had
dwelt at Susa for many years in peace, to a thirst
for revenge on Athens, and gave rise to that series
of invasions which ravaged Greece for many years,
and whose fitting sequel was the invasion and con-
quest of Persia by Alexander the Great, a century
and a half later.

And now, with this preliminary statement, we may

126