This wealthy subject proffered to the young prince, in prosecution of the war, the whole of his treasure, amounting to two thousand talents of silver, and four millions, wanting only seven thousand, of golden staters of Darius [53].

"My farms and my slaves," he added, "will be sufficient to maintain me." "My friend," said the royal guest, who possessed all the irregular generosity of princes, "you are the first person, since I left Persia (B.C.

480), who has treated my army with hospitality and voluntarily offered me assistance in the war.

Accept my friendship; I receive you as my host; retain your possessions, and permit me to supply the seven thousand staters which are wanting to complete the four millions you already possess." A man who gives from the property of the public is seldom outdone in munificence.
At length Xerxes arrived at Sardis, and thence he despatched heralds into Greece (close of B.C.

481), demanding the tribute of earth and water.