Book 7
3.16
When they had reached his doors and were about to go in to dinner, there stood a certain Heracleides, of Maroneia;A Greek city in Thrace. this fellow came up to each single one of the guests who, as he imagined, were able to make a present to Seuthes, first of all to some people of Parium who had come to arrangeThrough the mediation of Seuthes; cp. Xen. Anab. 7.2.32-4. a friendship with Medocus, the king of the Odrysians, and brought gifts with them for him and his wife; to them Heracleides said that Medocus was a twelve days’ journey inland from the sea, while Seuthes, now that he had got this army, would be master upon the coast.
3.17
He, therefore, Heracleides went on, being your neighbour, will be best able to do you good or harm. Hence if you are wise, you will present to him whatever you bring with you; and it will be better for you than if you make your gifts to Medocus, who dwells far away. It was in this way that he tried to persuade these people.
3.18
Next he came up to Timasion the Dardanian,—for he heard that he had some Persian drinking cups and carpets,—and said that it was customary when Seuthes invited people to dinner, for those who were thus invited to give him presents. And, he continued, in case this Seuthes becomes a great man in this region, he will be able either to restore you to your homeTimasion was an exile (Xen. Anab. 5.6.23). or to make you rich here. Such were the solicitations he used as he went to one man after another.
3.19
He came up to Xenophon also, and said to him: You are a citizen of a very great state and your name is a very great one with Seuthes; perhaps you will expect to obtain fortresses in this land, as others among your countrymen have done,Especially Alcibiades (Xen. Hell. 1.5.17, Nepos Alc. 7). and territory; it is proper, therefore, for you to honour Seuthes in the most magnificent way.
