These captives he sent off to the King without the knowledge of the rest of the allies, the account being that they had escaped from him.

He managed this with the help of Gongylus, an Eretrian, whom he had placed in charge of Byzantium and the prisoners.

He also gave Gongylus a letter for the King, the contents of which were as follows, as was afterwards discovered: "Pausanias, the general of Sparta, anxious to do you a favour, sends you these his prisoners of war.

I propose also, with your approval, to marry your daughter, and to make Sparta and the rest of Hellas subject to you.

I may say that I think I am able to do this, with your co-operation.