Codrus
Codrus
Aninteresting story of Codrus, the last king of Athens, is handed down by the historian. When the Heraclidæ made war against Athens, one of theoracles, in which the Grecians placed great confidence, and which they were accustomed to consult on important occasions, declared that victory would be granted to them provided they abstained from injuring the Athenian king.
Codrus was a man of noble soul, and preferred the happiness of his country to everything else. Accordingly, he determined to sacrifice his life in order to secure success to the Athenians. With this view, he dressed himself as a common person and entered the enemy’s camp. He provoked a quarrel with a soldier, and was immediately slain.
The Heraclidæ soon discovered that they had killed the Athenian king, and, knowing that they had violated the condition upon which the oracle promised them success, became alarmed, and discontinued the war.