rting his javelin as far as he could out of his hand, he
desired only so much ground as he should reach with that throw; and the
place is to this day called Pittacium. Now what does Herodotus, when he
comes to this? Instead of Pittacus's valiant act, he tells us the fight
of Alcaeus the poet, who throwing away his arms ran out of the battle;
by thus not writing of honorable deeds and not passing over such as are
dishonorable, he offers his testimony to those who say, that from one
and the same malice proceed both envy and a rejoicing at other men's
harms. (Herodotus v. 95.)

After this, he accuses of treason the Alcmaeonidae who showed themselves
generous men, and delivered their country from tyranny. (Ibid. i. 61.)
He says, that they received Pisistratus after his banishment and got him
called home, on condition he should marry the daughter of Megacles; but
the damsel saying to her mother, Do you see, mother, how I am known by
Pisistratus contrary to nature? The Alcmaeonidae were so offended at
this villany, that they expelled the tyrant.

Now that the Lacedaemonians might have no less share of his malice than
the Athenians, behold how he bespatters Othryadas, the man most admired
and honored by them. "He only," says Herodotus, "remaining alive of the
three hundred, and ashamed to return to Sparta, his companions being
lost, slew himself on the spot at Thyreae." (Ibid. i. 82.) For having
before said the victory was doubtful on both sides, he here, by making
Othryadas ashamed, witnesses that the Lacedaemonians were vanquished.
For it was shameful for him to survive, if conquered; but glorious, if
conqueror.

I pass by now, that having, represented Croesus as foolish,
vainglorious, and ridiculous in all things, he makes him, when a
prisoner, to have taught and instructed Cyrus, who seems to have
excelled all other kings in prudence, virtue, and magnanimity. (Ibid. i.
155, 156, 207, 208.) Having testified of the same Croesus nothing else
that was commendable but his honoring the gods with many and great
oblations, he shows that very act of his to have been the most impious
of all. For he says, that he and his brother Pantoleon contended for
the kingdom while their father was yet alive; and that Croesus,
having obtained the crown, caused a companion and familiar friend of
Pantoleon's to be torn in pieces in a fulling-mill, and sent presents to
the gods from his property. (Ibid. i. 92.) Of Deioces also, the Median,
who b