There were two brethren, Phobus and Blepsus, twins of the stock of
Codrus, natives of Phocaea; of which two Phobus, the elder, threw
himself from the Leucadian rocks into the sea, as Charon of Lampsacus
hath told us in history. This Phobus, having potency and royal dignity,
took a voyage into Parium upon the account of his own private concerns;
and becoming a friend and guest to Mandron king of the Bebrycians, the
same that were called Pituoëssans, he aided and assisted him in the war
against those of the bordering inhabitants that molested him. So that
when Phobus was returning back by sea, Mandron showed great civility to
him, promising to give him a part of his country and city, if he would
bring over the Phocaeans and plant them as inhabitants in Pituoëssa.
Phobus therefore persuading his countrymen sent his brother to conduct
them over as planters, and likewise the obligation was performed on
Mandron’s part according to expectation. But the Phocaeans taking great
booty, prey, and spoils from the neighboring barbarians, were first
envied, and afterwards became a terror to the Bebrycians; and therefore
they desired to be rid of them. As for Mandron, being an honest and
righteous person, they could not possess him against the Grecians;
but he taking a long journey, they provided to destroy the Phocaeans
by treachery. Mandron had a daughter called Lampsace, a virgin, who
was acquainted with the plot; and first she endeavored to take off
her friends and familiars from it, admonishing them what a dreadful
and ungodly enterprise they were going upon,—to murder men that were
benefactors, military auxiliaries, and now citizens. But when she could
not prevail with them, she declared to the Grecians secretly what was
plotting, and wished them to stand upon their guard. Upon this, the
Phocaeans provided a sacrifice and feast, and invited the Pituoëssans
into the suburbs; on which, dividing themselves into two parts, with
one they surprised the walls of the city, with the other they slew the
men. Thus taking the city, they sent to Mandron, desiring him to join
with their own rulers in the government. As for Lampsace, she died of a
sickness, and they buried her sumptuously, and called the city Lampsace
after her name. But when Mandron, avoiding all suspicion of betraying
his people, refused to come to dwell among them, and desired this favor
at their hands, that they would send him the wives and children of the
deceased, the Phocaeans most readily sent them, offering them no injury
at all. And ascribing in the first place heroic renown to Lampsace, in
the last place they decreed a sacrifice to her as a Goddess, which they
continue yearly to offer.