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"If"
When King Philip of Macedonia invaded Greece in 338 B.C., he defeated an Athenian/Theban army at the Battle of Chaeronea. Resistance ceased as all the other Greek city-states submitted to Philip’s victorious army. All except Sparta. When Philip arrived outside Sparta, he halted his army and awaited the Spartan emissaries bringing “earth and water” symbolizing Sparta’s submission to Macedonian rule. No one came. Angered, Philip sent a messenger into the city with a threatening note: “If I capture your city, I will destroy it.” The Spartan response arrived soon after. It was a one word answer: “If”. The warrior-king Philip was so impressed with the bravado of the Spartans that he bypassed the city.
– maroon 24
https://www.historyanecdotesforteachers.com/if/