a man of the Hellespont, bearing the same proposals as Alexander the
Macedonian had brought over to the Athenians. These he sent for the
second time, being aware beforehand that the dispositions of the
Athenians were not friendly, but hoping that they would give way and
leave their obstinacy, since the Attic land had been captured by the
enemy and was in his power..
5. For this reason he sent Morychides to Salamis; and he came before
the Council 4 and reported the words of Mardonios. Then one of the
Councillors, Lykidas, expressed the opinion that it was better to
receive the proposal which Morychides brought before them and refer
it to the assembly of the people. 5 He, I say, uttered this opinion,
whether because he had received money from Mardonios, or because this
was his own inclination: however the Athenians forthwith, both those
of the Council and those outside, when they heard of it, were very
indignant, and they came about Lykidas and stoned him to death; but
the Hellespontian Morychides they dismissed unhurt. Then when there had
arisen much uproar in Salamis about Lykidas, the women of the Athenians
heard of that which was being done, and one woman passing the word to
another and one taking another with her, they went of their own accord
to the house of Lykidas and stoned his wife and his children to death.
6. The Athenians had passed over to Salamis as follows:—So long as they
were looking that an army should come from the Peloponnese to help them,
they remained in Attica; but as those in Peloponnesus acted very
slowly and with much delay, while the invader was said to be already
in Boeotia, they accordingly removed everything out of danger, and
themselves passed over to Salamis; and at the same time they sent envoys
to Lacedemon to reproach the Lacedemonians for having permitted the
Barbarian to invade Attica and for not having gone to Boeotia to meet
him in company with them, and also to remind them how many things
the Persian had promised to give the Athenians if they changed sides;
bidding the envoys warn them that if they did not help the Athenians,
the Athenians would find some shelter 6 for themselves..
7. For the Lacedemonians in fact were keeping a feast during this
time, and celebrating the Hyakinthia; and they held it of the greatest
consequence to provide for the things which concerned the god, while at
the same time their wall which they had been building at the Isthmus
was just at this moment being completed with battlements. And when the
envoys from the Athenians came to Lacedemon, bringing with them also
envoys from Megara and Plataia, they came in before the Ephors and said
as follows: "The Athenians sent us saying that the king of the Medes not
only offers to give us back our land, but also desires to make us his
allies on fair and equal terms without deceit or treachery, 7 and
is desirous moreover to give us another land in addition to our own,
whichsoever we shall ourselves choose. We however, having respect for
Zeus of the Hellenes and disdaining to be traitors to Hellas, did not
agree but refused, although we were unjustly dealt with by the other
Hellenes and left to destruction, and although we knew that it was more
profitable to make a treaty with the Persian than to carry on war: nor
shall we make a treaty at any future time, if we have our own will. Thus
sincerely is our duty done towards the Hellenes: 8 but as for you, after
having come then to great dread lest we should make a treaty with the
Persian, so soon as ye learnt certainly what our spirit was, namely that
we should never betray Hellas, and because your wall across the Isthmus
is all but finished, now ye make no account of the Athenians, but having
agreed with us to come to Boeotia to oppose the Persian, ye have now
deserted us, and ye permitted the Barbarian moreover to make invasion of
Attica. For the present then the Athenians have anger against you, for
ye did not do as was fitting to be done: and now they bid 9 you with all
speed send out an army together with us, in order that we may receive
the Barbarian in the land of Attica; for since we failed of Boeotia, the
most suitable place to fight in our land is the Thriasian plain.".
8. When the Ephors heard this they deferred their reply to the next day,
and then on the next day to the succeeding one; and this they did even
for ten days, deferring the matter from day to day, while during this
time the whole body of the Peloponnesians were building the wall over
the Isthmus with great diligence and were just about to complete it.
Now I am not able to say why, when Alexander the Macedonian had come
to Athens, they were so very anxious lest the Athenians should take the
side of the Medes, whereas now they had no care about it, except indeed
that their wall over the Isthmus had now been built, and they thought
they had no need of the Athenians any more; whereas when Alexander came
to Attica the wall had not yet been completed, but they were working at
it in great dread of the Persians..
9. At last however the answer was given and the going forth of the
Spartans took place in the following manner:—on the day before that
which was appointed for the last hearing of the envoys, Chileos a man of
Tegea, who of all strangers had most influence in Lacedemon, heard from
the Ephors all that which the Athenians were saying; and he, it seems,
said to them these words: "Thus the matter stands, Ephors:—if the
Athenians are not friendly with us but are allies of the Barbarian, then
though a strong wall may have been built across the Isthmus, yet a wide
door has been opened for the Persian into Peloponnesus. Listen to their
request, however, before the Athenians resolve upon something else
tending to the fall of Hellas.".
10. Thus he counselled them, and they forthwith took his words to heart;
and saying nothing to the envoys who had come from the cities, while
yet it was night they sent out five thousand Spartans, with no less than
seven of the Helots set to attend upon each man of them, 901 appointing
Pausanias the son of Cleombrotos to lead them forth. Now the leadership
belonged to Pleistarchos the son of Leonidas; but he was yet a boy, and
the other was his guardian and cousin: for Cleombrotos, the father of
Pausanias and son of Anaxandrides, was no longer alive, but when he had
led home from the Isthmus the army which had built the wall, no long
time after this he died. Now the reason why Cleombrotos led home
the army from the Isthmus was this:—as he was offering sacrifice for
fighting against the Persian, the sun was darkened in the heaven. And
Pausanias chose as commander in addition to himself Euryanax the son of
Dorieos, a man of the same house..
11. So Pausanias with his army had gone forth out of Sparta; and the
envoys, when day had come, not knowing anything of this going forth,
came in before the Ephors meaning to depart also, each to his own State:
and when they had come in before them they said these words: "Ye, O
Lacedemonians, are remaining here and celebrating this Hyakinthia and
disporting yourselves, having left your allies to destruction; and the
Athenians being wronged by you and for want of allies will make peace
with the Persians on such terms as they can: and having made peace,
evidently we become allies of the king, and therefore we shall join with
him in expeditions against any land to which the Persians may lead us;
and ye will learn then what shall be the issue for you of this matter."
When the envoys spoke these words, the Ephors said and confirmed it with
an oath, that they supposed by this time the men were at Orestheion on
their way against the strangers: for they used to call the Barbarians
"strangers." 10 So they, not knowing of the matter, asked the meaning
of these words, and asking they learnt all the truth; so that they were
struck with amazement and set forth as quickly as possible in pursuit;
and together with them five thousand chosen hoplites of the Lacedemonian
"dwellers in the country round" 11 did the same thing also.
12. They then, I say, were hastening towards the Isthmus; and the
Argives so soon as they heard that Pausanias with his army had gone
forth from Sparta, sent as a herald to Attica the best whom they could
find of the long-distance runners, 12 because they had before of their
own motion engaged for Mardonios that they would stop the Spartans from
going forth: and the herald when he came to Athens spoke as follows:
"Mardonios, the Argives sent me to tell thee that the young men have
gone forth from Lacedemon, and that the Argives are not able to stop
them from going forth: with regard to this therefore may it be thy
fortune to take measures well." 13.
13. He having spoken thus departed and went back; and Mardonios was
by no means anxious any more to remain in Attica when he heard this
message. Before he was informed of this he had been waiting, because he
desired to know the news from the Athenians as to what they were about
to do; and he had not been injuring or laying waste the land of Attica,
because he hoped always that they would make a treaty with him; but as
he did not persuade them, being now informed of everything he began to
retire out of the country before the force of Pausanias arrived at the
Isthmus, having first set fire to Athens and cast down and destroyed
whatever was left standing of the walls, houses or temples. Now he
marched away for this cause, namely first because Attica was not a
land where horsemen could act freely, and also because, if he should be
defeated in a battle in Attica, there was no way of retreat except by a
narrow pass, so that a few men could stop them. He intended therefore
to retreat to Thebes, and engage battle near to a friendly city and to a
country where horsemen could act freely.
14. Mardonios then was retiring out of the way, and when he was already
upon a road a message came to him saying that another body of troops
in advance of the rest 14 had come to Megara, consisting of a thousand
Lacedemonians. Being thus informed he took counsel with himself,
desiring if possible first to capture these. Therefore he turned back
and proceeded to lead his army towards Megara, and the cavalry going in
advance of the rest overran the Megaran land: this was the furthest land
in Europe towards the sun-setting to which this Persian army came..
15. After this a message came to Mardonios that the Hellenes were
assembled at the Isthmus; therefore he marched back by Dekeleia, for the
chiefs of Boeotia 15 had sent for those of the Asopians who dwelt
near the line of march, and these were his guides along the road to
Sphendaleis and thence to Tanagra. So having encamped for the night at
Tanagra and on the next day having directed his march to Scolos, he was
within the land of the Thebans. Then he proceeded to cut down the trees
in the lands of the Thebans, although they were on the side of the
Medes, moved not at all by enmity to them, but pressed by urgent
necessity both to make a defence for his camp, and also he was making it
for a refuge, in case that when he engaged battle things should not turn
out for him as he desired. Now the encampment of his army extended
from Erythrai along by Hysiai and reached the river Asopos: he was not
however making the wall to extend so far as this, but with each face
measuring somewhere about ten furlongs. 16
16. While the Barbarians were engaged upon this work, Attaginos the son
of Phyrnon, a Theban, having made magnificent preparations invited to
an entertainment Mardonios himself and fifty of the Persians who were of
most account; and these being invited came; and the dinner was given at
Thebes. Now this which follows I heard from Thersander, an Orchomenian
and a man of very high repute in Orchomenos. This Thersander said that
he too was invited by Attaginos to this dinner, and there were invited
also fifty men of the Thebans, and their host did not place them to
recline 17 separately each nation by themselves, but a Persian and
a Theban upon every couch. Then when dinner was over, as they were
drinking pledges to one another, 18 the Persian who shared a couch with
him speaking in the Hellenic tongue asked him of what place he was, and
he answered that he was of Orchomenos. The other said: "Since now thou
hast become my table-companion and the sharer of my libation, I desire
to leave behind with thee a memorial of my opinion, in order that thou
thyself also mayest know beforehand and be able to take such counsels
for thyself as may be profitable. Dost thou see these Persians who
are feasting here, and the army which we left behind encamped upon the
river? Of all these, when a little time has gone by, thou shalt see but
very few surviving." While the Persian said these words he shed many
tears, as Thersander reported; and he marvelling at his speech said
to him: "Surely then it is right to tell Mardonios and to those of the
Persians who after him are held in regard." He upon this said: "Friend,
that which is destined to come from God, it is impossible for a man to
avert; for no man is willing to follow counsel, even when one speaks
that which is reasonable. And these things which I say many of us
Persians know well; yet we go with the rest being bound in the bonds of
necessity: and the most hateful grief of all human griefs is this,
to have knowledge of the truth but no power over the event." 19 These
things I heard from Thersander of Orchomenos, and in addition to them
this also, namely that he told them to various persons forthwith, before
the battle took place at Plataia.
17. Mardonios then being encamped in Boeotia, the rest of the Hellenes
who lived in these parts and took the side of the Medes were all
supplying troops and had joined in the invasion of Attica, but the
Phokians alone had not joined in the invasion,—the Phokians, I say,
for these too were now actively 20 taking the side of the Medes, not of
their own will however, but by compulsion. Not many days however after
the arrival of Mardonios at Thebes, there came of them a thousand
hoplites, and their leader was Harmokydes, the man who was of most
repute among their citizens. When these too came to Thebes, Mardonios
sent horsemen and bade the Phokians take up their position by themselves
in the plain. After they had so done, forthwith the whole cavalry
appeared; and upon this there went a rumour 21 through the army of
Hellenes which was with the Medes that the cavalry was about to shoot
them down with javelins, and this same report went through the Phokians
themselves also. Then their commander Harmokydes exhorted them, speaking
as follows: "Phokians, it is manifest that these men are meaning to
deliver us to a death which we may plainly foresee, 22 because we have
been falsely accused by the Thessalians, as I conjecture: now therefore
it is right that every one of you prove himself a good man; for it is
better to bring our lives to an end doing deeds of valour and defending
ourselves, than to be destroyed by a dishonourable death offering
ourselves for the slaughter. Let each man of them learn that they
are Barbarians and that we, against whom they contrived murder, are
Hellenes.".
18. While he was thus exhorting them, the horsemen having encompassed
them round were riding towards them as if to destroy them; and they were
already aiming their missiles as if about to discharge them, nay some
perhaps did discharge them: and meanwhile the Phokians stood facing them
gathered together and with their ranks closed as much as possible every
way. Then the horsemen turned and rode away back. Now I am not able to
say for certain whether they came to destroy the Phokians at the request
of the Thessalians, and then when they saw them turn to defence they
feared lest they also might suffer some loss, and therefore rode away
back, for so Mardonios had commanded them; or whether on the other hand
he desired to make trial of them and to see if they had in them any
warlike spirit. Then, when the horsemen had ridden away back, Mardonios
sent a herald and spoke to them as follows: "Be of good courage,
Phokians, for ye proved yourselves good men, and not as I was informed.
Now therefore carry on this way with zeal, for ye will not surpass in
benefits either myself or the king." Thus far it happened as regards the
Phokians.
19. When the Lacedemonians came to the Isthmus they encamped upon it,
and hearing this the rest of the Peloponnesians who favoured the better
cause, and some also because they saw the Spartans going out, did not
think it right to be behind the Lacedemonians in their going forth.
So from the Isthmus, when the sacrifices had proved favourable,
they marched all together and came to Eleusis; and having performed
sacrifices there also, when the signs were favourable they marched
onwards, and the Athenians together with them, who had passed over
from Salamis and had joined them at Eleusis. And then they had come to
Erythrai in Boeotia, then they learnt that the Barbarians were encamping
on the Asopos, and having perceived this they ranged themselves over
against them on the lower slopes of Kithairon..
20. Then Mardonios, as the Hellenes did not descend into the plain, sent
towards them all his cavalry, of which the commander was Masistios (by
the Hellenes called Makistios), a man of reputation among the Persians,
who had a Nesaian horse with a bridle of gold and in other respects
finely caparisoned. So when the horsemen had ridden up to the Hellenes
they attacked them by squadrons, and attacking 23 they did them much
mischief, and moreover in contempt they called them women..
21. Now it happened by chance that the Megarians were posted in the
place which was the most assailable of the whole position and to which
the cavalry could best approach: so as the cavalry were making
their attacks, the Megarians being hard pressed sent a herald to the
commanders of the Hellenes, and the herald having come spoke these
words: "The Megarians say:—we, O allies, are not able by ourselves to
sustain the attacks of the Persian cavalry, keeping this position where
we took post at the first; nay, even hitherto by endurance and valour
alone have we held out against them, hard pressed as we are: and now
unless ye shall send some others to take up our position in succession
to us, know that we shall leave the position in which we now are." The
herald brought report to them thus; and upon this Pausanias made trial
of the Hellenes, whether any others would voluntarily offer to go to
this place and post themselves there in succession to the Megarians: and
when the rest were not desirous to go, the Athenians undertook the task,
and of the Athenians those three hundred picked men of whom Olympidoros
the son of Lampon was captain.
22. These they were who undertook the task and were posted at Erythrai
in advance of the other Hellenes who ere there present, having chosen
to go with them the bow-men also. For some time then they fought, and at
last an end was set to the fighting in the following manner:—while the
cavalry was attacking by squadrons, the horse of Masistios, going in
advance of the rest, was struck in the side by an arrow, and feeling
pain he reared upright and threw Masistios off; and when he had fallen,
the Athenians forthwith pressed upon him; and his horse they took and
himself, as he made resistance, they slew, though at first they could
not, for his equipment was of this kind,—he wore a cuirass of gold
scales underneath, and over the cuirass he had put on a crimson tunic.
So as they struck upon the cuirass they could effect nothing, until some
one, perceiving what the matter was, thrust into his eye. Then at length
he fell and died; and by some means the other men of the cavalry had not
observed this take place, for they neither saw him when he had fallen
from his horse nor when he was being slain, and while the retreat
and the turn 24 were being made, they did not perceive that which was
happening; but when they had stopped their horses, then at once they
missed him, since there was no one to command them; and when they
perceived what had happened, they passed the word to one another and all
rode together, that they might if possible recover the body..
23. The Athenians upon that, seeing that the cavalry were riding to
attack them no longer by squadrons but all together, shouted to the rest
of the army to help them. Then while the whole number of those on foot
were coming to their help, there arose a sharp fight for the body; and
so long as the three hundred were alone they had much the worse and were
about to abandon the body, but when the mass of the army came to their
help, then the horsemen no longer sustained the fight, nor did they
succeed in recovering the body; and besides him they lost others of
their number also. Then they drew off about two furlongs away and
deliberated what they should do; and it seemed good to them, as they had
no commander, to ride back to Mardonios..
24. When the cavalry arrived at the camp, the whole army and also
Mardonios made great mourning for Masistios, cutting off their own
hair and that of their horses and baggage-animals and giving way to
lamentation without stint; for all Boeotia was filled with the sound of
it, because one had perished who after Mardonios was of the most account
with the Persians and with the king..
25. The Barbarians then were paying honours in their own manner to
Masistios slain: but the Hellenes, when they had sustained the attack of
the cavalry and having sustained it had driven them back, were much more
encouraged; and first they put the dead body in a cart and conveyed it
along their ranks; and the body was a sight worth seeing for its size
and beauty, wherefore also the men left their places in the ranks and
went one after the other 25 to gaze upon Masistios. After this they
resolved to come down further towards Plataia; for the region of Plataia
was seen to be much more convenient for them to encamp in than that of
Erythrai, both for other reasons and because it is better watered. To
this region then and to the spring Gargaphia, which is in this region,
they resolved that they must come, and encamp in their several posts. So
they took up their arms and went by the lower slopes of Kithairon
past Hysiai to the Plataian land; and having there arrived they posted
themselves according to their several nations near the spring Gargaphia
and the sacred enclosure of Androcrates the hero, over low hills or
level ground.