Page:History of Greece Vol IV.djvu/329

FUTURE GOVEPNMENT OF IONIA. 81 1 CHAPTER XXXVI. FROM THE IONIC REVOLT TO THE BATTLE OF MARATHON. IN the preceding chapter, I indicated the point of confluence between the European and Asiatic streams of Grecian history, the commencement of a decided Persian intention to conquer Attica ; manifested first in the form of a threat by Artaphernen the satrap, when he enjoined the Athenians to take back Hippias as the only condition of safety, and afterwards converted into a passion in the bosom of Darius in consequence of the burning of Sardis. From this time forward, therefore, the affairs of Greece and Persia came to be in direct relation one with the other, and capable of being embodied, much more than before, into one con- tinuous narrative. The reconquest of Ionia being thoroughly completed, Arta- phernes proceeded to organize the future government of it, with a degree of prudence and forethought not often visible in Persian proceedings. Convoking deputies from all the different cities, he compelled them to enter into a permanent convention, for the amicable settlement of disputes, so as to prevent all employment of force by any one against the others. Moreover, he caused the territory of each city to be measured by parasangs (each par- asang was equal to thirty stadia, or about three miles and a half), and arranged the assessments of tribute according to this meas- urement, without any material departure, however, from the sums which had been paid before the revolt. 1 Unfortunately, Herodotus is unusually brief in his allusion to this proceeding, which it would have been highly interesting to be able to comprehend perfectly. We may, however, assume it as certain, that both the population and the territory of many among the Ionic cities, if not of all, were materially altered in consequence of the preceding revolt, and still more in conse- 1 Herodot. vi, 42.