Alexander's own words are quoted as: "Men of Athens... Had I not greatly at heart the common welfare of Greece I should not have come to tell you; But i am myself Greek by descent, and I would not willingly see Greece exchange freedom for slavery.... If you prosper in this war, forget not to do something for my freedom; consider the risk I have run, out of zeal for the Greek cause, to acquaint you with what Mardonius intends, and to save you from being surprised by the barbarians. I am Alexander of Macedon." [Herodotus, The Histories, 9.45]