His family were among the enemies of Pisistratus, and were regarded by that sagacious usurper with a jealous apprehension which almost appears prophetic.

Miltiades was, therefore, uneasy under the government of Pisistratus, and discontented with his position in Athens.

One day, as he sat before his door (such is the expression of the enchanting Herodotus, unconscious of the patriarchal picture he suggests [237]), Miltiades observed certain strangers pass by, whose garments and spears denoted them to be foreigners.

The sight touched the chief, and he offered the strangers the use of his house, and the rites of hospitality.
They accepted his invitation, were charmed by his courtesy, and revealed to him the secret of their travel.

In that narrow territory which, skirting the Hellespont, was called the Chersonesus, or Peninsula, dwelt the Doloncians, a Thracian tribe.