Talk:Herodotus

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Speech of an Alexander

I removed this from the article as it actually is a speech Herodotus quotes of an Alexander of Macedonia, (NOT the most famous one generally known as Alexander the Great, who lived after his time):

Men of Athens... In truth I would not tell it to you if I did not care so much for all Hellas; I myself am by ancient descent a Greek, and I would not willingly see Hellas change her freedom for slavery. I tell you, then, that Mardonius and his army cannot get omens to his liking from the sacrifices. Otherwise you would have fought long before this. Now, however, it is his purpose to pay no heed to the sacrifices, and to attack at the first glimmer of dawn, for he fears, as I surmise, that your numbers will become still greater. Therefore, I urge you to prepare, and if (as may be) Mardonius should delay and not attack, wait patiently where you are; for he has but a few days' provisions left. If, however, this war ends as you wish, then must you take thought how to save me too from slavery, who have done so desperate a deed as this for the sake of Hellas in my desire to declare to you Mardonius' intent so that the barbarians may not attack you suddenly before you yet expect them. I who speak am Alexander the Macedonian.

Though this is recorded in Book 9, Ch.45 as translated by A. D. Godley, as a speech made by this Alexander prior to a battle, it was wrongly cited as a speech made prior to being admitted to the Olympic games, and in any event this appears as a rather mundane quote of another person, and not actually a significant or notable statement of Herodotus himself. ~ Kalki (talk · contributions) 15:29, 23 April 2010 (UTC)Reply