So ingrained in our nature is our hostility to them that even in the matter of our
 stories we linger most fondly over those which tell of the Trojan and the Persian
 wars, Cf. Isoc. 9.6 . 
 because through them we learn of our enemies’ misfortunes; and you will find that our
 warfare against the barbarians has inspired our hymns, while that against the Hellenes has
 brought forth our dirges; “Victories over the barbarians
 call for hymns, but victories over the Hellenes for dirges,” said Gorgias in his
 Epitaphios , and Isocrates may have had his words in mind. The Gorgias
 fragment is quoted by Philostr. Lives of the Sophists, 493. and
 that the former are sung at our festivals, while we recall the latter on occasions of
 sorrow. Moreover, I think that even the poetry of Homer has won a greater renown because he has
 nobly glorified the men who fought against the barbarians, and that on this account our
 ancestors determined to give his art a place of honor in our musical contests and in the
 education of our youth, See Plat. Hipparch. 228b ; Plat. Rep. 606e , and
 Aristoph. Frogs 1035 . in order that we,
 hearing his verses over and over again, may learn by heart the enmity which stands from of
 old between us and them, and that we, admiring the valor of those who were in the war
 against Troy , may conceive a passion for like
 deeds. So it seems to me that the motives which summon us to enter upon a war against them are
 many indeed; but grief among them is the present opportunity, which we must not throw
 away; for it is disgraceful to neglect a chance when it is present and regret it when it
 is past. Indeed, what further advantage could we desire to have on our side when
 contemplating a war against the King beyond those which are now at hand? Are not Egypt See
 Isoc. 5.101 ; Isoc.
 4.140 . and Cyprus See Isoc. 4.141 and note. 
 in revolt against him? Have not Phoenicia and
 Syria Evagoras
 had ravaged Phoenicia and Syria , stormed Tyre , and made Cilicia revolt
 from Persia . See Isoc.
 9.62 . been devastated because of the war? Has not Tyre , on which he set great store, been seized by his
 foes? Of the cities in Cilicia , the greater
 number are held by those who side with us and the rest are not difficult to acquire.
 Lycia Lycia was subjected to Persia by Harpagus ( Hdt. 1.176 ), but never
 tamed. no Persian has ever subdued.