183
There were certain men in those days, fellow citizens, who endured much toil and underwent great dangers at the river Strymon, and conquered the Medes in battle. When they came home they asked the people for a reward, and the democracy gave them great honor, as it was then esteemed—permission to set up three stone Hermae in the Stoa of the Hermae, but on condition that they should not inscribe their own names upon them, in order that the inscription might not seem to be in honor of the generals, but of the people.
184
That this is true, you shall learn from the verses themselves; for on the first of the Hermae stands written: Brave men and daring were they who once by the city of Eion, Far off by Strymon’s flood, fought with the sons of the Medes. Fiery famine they made their ally, and Ares on-rushing; So they found helpless a foe stranger till then to defeat. unknown and on the second: This, the reward of their labour, has Athens bestowed on her leaders; Token of duty well done, honor to valor supreme. Whoso in years yet to be shall read these Ls in the marble, Gladly will toil in his turn, giving his life for the state. unknown
185
And on the third of the Hermae stands written: Once from this city Menestheus, summoned to join the Atreidae, Led forth an army to Troy, plain beloved of the gods. Homer has sung of his fame, and has said that of all the mailed chieftains None could so shrewdly as he marshal the ranks for the fight. Fittingly then shall the people of Athens be honored, and calledMarshals and leaders of war, heroes in combat of arms. unknown Is the name of the generals anywhere here? Nowhere; only the name of the people.