A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

302 The Hellenistic Age
A slight
lapse of the
Rhodians.
Polybius
xxxi. 25.
These words
are a high
compliment
to the Greek
state in general,
and
particularly
to Rhodes.
Eumenes was
king of Pergamum.
The
gift was made
162 B.C.
II.
High Sense of Honor of the Greek States
Though in other respects maintaining the dignity of
their states, the Rhodians made, in my opinion, a sHght
lapse in this period. They had received 280,000 medimni
of grain from Eumenes, that its value might be invested
and the interest devoted to pay the fees of the tutors and
schoolmasters of their sons. One might accept this from
friends in a case of financial embarrassment, as one might
in private life, rather than allow children to remain uneducated
for want of means. But where means are abundant,
a man would rather do anything than allow the
schoolmaster's fee to be supplied by a joint contribution
from his friends. And in proportion as a state should
hold higher notions than an individual, so ought governments
to be more jealous of their dignity than private
men, and above all a Rhodian government, considering
the wealth of the country and its high pretensions.
Priene suffers
rather
than betray
a trust.
Polybius
xxxiii. 6.
Orophernes
had become
king of Cappadocia
in
place of
Ariarathes;
but the latter
eventually
recovered
his kingdom.
About this time an unexpected misfortune befell the
people of Priene. They had received a deposit of four
hundred talents from Orophernes when he got possession
of the kingdom; and subsequently when Ariarathes recovered
his dominion he demanded the money of them.
But they acted like honest men, in my opinion, in declaring
that they would deliver it to no one as long as
Orophernes was alive, except to the person who deposited
it with them; while Ariarathes was thought by many to be
committing a breach of equity in demanding a deposit
Up to this point, however, one might
made by another.
perhaps pardon his making the attempt, because he looked
upon the money as belonging to his own kingdom; but to
push his anger and imperious determination as much