sharing in the benefits that both land and sea are able to provide. For it is possible there to live partly as an islander and partly as a mainlander, and to avoid the troubles of both, while enjoying the blessings of each clearly. It lies there, as it were, stretching out a hand to those arriving from the sea, and meeting them in a friendly manner; and whoever sails the Ionian Sea, looking out from his ship, turns toward it and feeds his soul with the pleasure of what he sees. From here came Epidamnus, who gave the city its name, and later he stirred the Pythian Apollo to love it, and adorned the city as a Greek colony, as if he were a prophet who perhaps knew well the future, namely that he who was to adorn all lands and the sea with benefits ought to be born here. B If, therefore, you admire the Athenians as aborigines, it is permitted to you to take pride along with them; if you emulate the hospitality of the Phaeacians, from there is this city. It also possesses the lineage of the Corinthians, the ambition of Sparta, and as an ancestor, Heracles, and through him, Zeus.
III. Having received these and such primary gifts from the Almighty, you did not disgrace, by Heracles, a lineage so splendid and celebrated by all, but rather you outshone those who came before; and those who surpassed others in virtues learn to be surpassed by you, and indeed they are overcome with a most sweet victory, such as fathers would wish to be overcome by. For having come from such origins, and having been brought up as one would expect of him who so greatly surpassed all in everything, and increasing his virtues as time progressed, thinking it fitting that a beautiful foundation of an excellent life be laid, you considered the possession of piety to be this. This you purposed in your desire, you sought it in practice, and you were carried to the heights of the matter; and most swiftly you attained the goal. If these things are trifle and the boasting of words, I have wandered far from the truth. But of these things my witnesses are not a few or lowly, and they are not ones whom someone might mark out for blame for their judgment; but the whole city, and indeed the city of kings D, which cries out for you and leads you toward the priestly form.