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Socrates
Soc. And have you ever heard of Periander, son of Cypselus, and how he governed at Corinth?
Socrates
Soc. Did he not govern these same people in his city?
Socrates
Soc. Or again, do you not consider that Archelaus, son of Perdiccas, who governed recently in Macedonia, governed these same people?
Socrates
Soc. And who do you think were governed by Hippias, son of Peisistratus, who governed in this city? Were they not these people ?
20
Theages
The. To be sure they were.
Socrates
Soc. Now, can you tell me what appellation is given to Bacis and Sibyl and our native Amphilytus? In Aristophanes and Plato we find mention of only one Sibyl: later the name, like Bacis (an old Boeotian prophet), was applied to several oracular persons in different places. Amphilytus seems to have come from Acarnania to Athens in the time of Peisistratus.
Theages
The. Why, soothsayers, of course, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. That is correct. But try to answer me in that way regarding those others—Hippias and Periander: what appellation is given them on account of their government?
Theages
The. Despots, I suppose; it must be that.
25
Socrates
Soc. And when a man desires to govern the whole of the people in his city, he desires the same government as those did—despotism, and to be a despot?
Socrates
Soc. And it is this that you say you desire?
Theages
The. It seems so, from what I have said.
