Page:History of Greece Vol X.djvu/35

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PERSIAN AFFAIRS 13 Even before the death of Darius Nothus (father of Artaxerxea and Cyrus) Egypt had revolted from the Persians, under a native prince named Amyrtasus. To the Grecian leaders who accom- panied Cyrus in his expedition against his brother, this revolt was well known to have mu^h incensed the Persians ; so that Klear- chus, in the conversation which took place after the death of Cyrus about accommodation with Artaxerxes, intimated that the Ten Thousand could lend him effectual aid in reconquering Egypt. 1 It was not merely these Greeks who were exposed to danger by the death of Cyrus, but also the various Persians and other sub- jects who had lent assistance to him ; all of whom made submis- sion and tried to conciliate Artaxerxes, except Tamos, who had commanded the fleet of Cyrus on the coasts both of Ionia and Kilikia. Such was the alarm of Tamos when Tissaphernes came down in full power to the coast, that he fled with his fleet and treasures to Egypt, to seek protection from king Psammetichus, to whom he had rendered valuable service. This traitor, how- ever, having so valuable a deposit brought to him, forgot every thing else in his avidity to make it sure, and put to death Tamos with all his children. 2 About 395 B. c., we find Nephereus king of Egypt lending aid to the Lacedaemonian fleet against Arta- xerxes. 3 Two years afterwards (392-390 B. c.), during the years immediately succeeding the victory of Knidus, and the voyage of Pharnabazus across the -ZEgean to Peloponnesus, we hear of that satrap as employed with Abrokomas and Tithraustes in stren- uous but unavailing efforts to reconquer Egypt. 4 Having thus 1 Xen. Anab. ii, 5, 13. It would appear that the revolt of Egypt from Persia must date between 414-411 B.C.; but this point is obscure. See Boeckh, Manetho und die Handstern-Periode, pp.358, 363, Berlin 1845; and Ley, Fata et Conditio JEgypti sub Imperio Persarum, p. 55. M. Rehdautz, Vitas Iphicratis, Timothei, et Chabrise, p. 240, places the revolt rather earlier, about 414 B. c. ; and Mr. Fynes Clinton (Fasti Hellcn. Appendix, ch. 18, p. 317) countenances the same date. 2 Diodor. xiv, 35. This Psammetichus is presumed by Ley v 'in his Dissertation above cited, p. 20) to be the same person as Amyrtseus the Saite in the list of Manetho, under a different name. It is also possible, however, that he may havo ocen king over a part of Egypt, contemr c raneous with Aa.yrtus. 3 Diodor. xiv, 79. 4 This is the chronology laid dowr by M. llehdautz (Vitse Iphicratif,