[XXXIV cont., XXXV] Ionic Revolt

THERE can be no doubt that during Darius' absence across the Danube the Ionians lost an opportunity eminently favourable, such as never again returned, for emancipating themselves from the Persian dominion. Their despots, especially the Milesian Histiasus, were not induced to preserve the bridge across that river committed to their care by any honourable reluctance to betray the trust reposed in them, but simply by selfish regard to the maintenance of their own unpopular dominion.¹ And we may remark that the real character of this impelling motive, as well as the deliberation accompanying it, may be assumed as resting upon very good evidence, since we are now arrived within the personal knowledge of the Milesian historian Hekatteus, who took an active part in the Ionic revolt a few years afterwards, and who may perhaps have been personally engaged in this expedition.