of much argument 2501 between the Tegeans and the Athenians; for
they each claimed to occupy the other wing of the army 26 themselves,
alleging deeds both new and old. The Tegeans on the one hand said as
follows: "We have been always judged worthy of this post by the whole
body of allies in all the common expeditions which the Peloponnesians
have made before this, whether in old times or but lately, ever since
that time when the sons of Heracles endeavoured after the death of
Eurystheus to return to the Peloponnese. This honour we gained at that
time by reason of the following event:—When with the Achaians and the
Ionians who were then in Peloponnesus we had come out to the Isthmus to
give assistance and were encamped opposite those who desired to return,
then it is said that Hyllos made a speech saying that it was not right
that the one army should risk its safety by engaging battle with the
other, and urging that that man of the army of the Peloponnesians whom
they should judge to be the best of them should fight in single combat
with himself on terms concerted between them. The Peloponnesians then
resolved that this should be done; and they made oath with one another
on this condition,—that if Hyllos should conquer the leader of the
Peloponnesians, then the sons of Heracles should return to their
father's heritage; but he should be conquered, then on the other hand
the sons of Heracles should depart and lead away their army, and not
within a hundred years attempt to return to the Peloponnese. There was
selected then of all the allies, he himself making a voluntary offer,
Echemos the son of Aëropos, the son of Phegeus, 27 who was our commander
and king: and he fought a single combat and slew Hyllos. By reason of
this deed we obtained among the Peloponnesians of that time, besides
many other great privileges which we still possess, this also of always
leading the other wing of the army, when a common expedition is made.
To you, Lacedemonians, we make no opposition, but we give you freedom
of choice, and allow you to command whichever wing ye desire; but of the
other we say that it belongs to us to be the leaders as in former time:
and apart from this deed which has been related, we are more worthy than
the Athenians to have this post; for in many glorious contests have
we contended against you, O Spartans, and in many also against others.
Therefore it is just that we have the other wing rather than the
Athenians; for they have not achieved deeds such as ours, either new or
old.".
27. Thus they spoke, and the Athenians replied as follows: "Though we
know that this gathering was assembled for battle with the Barbarian
and not for speech, yet since the Tegean has proposed to us as a task
to speak of things both old and new, the deeds of merit namely which by
each of our two nations have been achieved in all time, it is necessary
for us to point out to you whence it comes that to us, who have been
brave men always, it belongs as a heritage rather than to the Arcadians
to have the chief place. First as to the sons of Heracles, whose leader
they say that they slew at the Isthmus, these in the former time, when
they were driven away by all the Hellenes to whom they came flying from
slavery under those of Mykene, we alone received; and joining with them
we subdued the insolence of Eurystheus, having conquered in fight
those who then dwelt in Peloponnesus. Again when the Argives who
with Polyneikes marched against Thebes, had been slain and were lying
unburied, we declare that we marched an army against the Cadmeians
and recovered the dead bodies and gave them burial in our own land at
Eleusis. We have moreover another glorious deed performed against
the Amazons who invaded once the Attic land, coming from the river
Thermodon: and in the toils of Troy we were not inferior to any. But it
is of no profit to make mention of these things; for on the one hand,
though we were brave men in those times, we might now have become
worthless, and on the other hand even though we were then worthless, yet
now we might be better. Let it suffice therefore about ancient deeds;
but if by us no other deed has been displayed (as many there have been
and glorious, not less than by any other people of the Hellenes), yet
even by reason of the deed wrought at Marathon alone we are worthy to
have this privilege and others besides this, seeing that we alone of
all the Hellenes fought in single combat with the Persian, and having
undertaken so great a deed we overcame and conquered six-and-forty
nations. 28 Are we not worthy then to have this post by reason of that
deed alone? However, since at such a time as this it is not fitting to
contend for post, we are ready to follow your saying, O Lacedemonians,
as to where ye think it most convenient that we should stand and
opposite to whom; for wheresoever we are posted, we shall endeavour to
be brave men. Prescribe to us therefore and we shall obey." They made
answer thus; and the whole body of the Lacedemonians shouted aloud that
the Athenians were more worthy to occupy the wing than the Arcadians.
Thus the Athenians obtained the wing, and overcame the Tegeans.
28. After this the Hellenes were ranged as follows, both those of them
who came in continually afterwards 29 and those who had come at the
first. The right wing was held by ten thousand Lacedemonians; and of
these the five thousand who were Spartans were attended by thirty-five
thousand Helots serving as light-armed troops, seven of them appointed
for each man. 30 To stand next to themselves the Spartans chose the
Tegeans, both to do them honour and also because of their valour; and
of these there were one thousand five hundred hoplites. After these were
stationed five thousand Corinthians, and they had obtained permission
from Pausanias that the three hundred who were present of the men of
Potidaia in Pallene should stand by their side. Next to these were
stationed six hundred Arcadians of Orchomenos; and to these three
thousand Sikyonians. Next after these were eight hundred Epidaurians:
by the side of these were ranged a thousand Troizenians: next to the
Troizenians two hundred Lepreates: next to these four hundred of the
men of Mikene and Tiryns; and then a thousand Phliasians. By the side of
these stood three hundred Hermionians; and next to the Hermionians were
stationed six hundred Eretrians and Styrians; next to these four hundred
Chalkidians; and to these five hundred men of Amprakia. After these
stood eight hundred Leucadians and Anactorians; and next to them two
hundred from Pale in Kephallenia. After these were ranged five hundred
Eginetans; by their side three thousand Megarians; and next to these
six hundred Plataians. Last, or if you will first, were ranged the
Athenians, occupying the left wing, eight thousand in number, and the
commander of them was Aristeides the son of Lysimachos..
29. These all, excepting those who were appointed to attend the
Spartans, seven for each man, were hoplites, being in number altogether
three myriads eight thousand and seven hundred. 31 This was the whole
number of hoplites who were assembled against the Barbarian; and the
number of the light-armed was as follows:—of the Spartan division
thirty-five thousand men, reckoning at the rate of seven for each man,
and of these every one was equipped for fighting; and the light-armed
troops of the rest of the Lacedemonians and of the other Hellenes, being
about one for each man, amounted to thirty-four thousand five hundred..
30. Of the light-armed fighting men the whole number then was six
myriads nine thousand and five hundred; 32 and of the whole Hellenic
force which assembled at Plataia the number (including both the hoplites
and the light-armed fighting men) was eleven myriads 33 all but one
thousand eight hundred men; and with the Thespians who were present the
number of eleven myriads was fully made up; for there were present also
in the army those of the Thespians who survived, being in number about
one thousand eight hundred, and these too were without heavy arms.
34 These then having been ranged in order were encamped on the river
Asopos.
31. Meanwhile the Barbarians with Mardonios, when they had sufficiently
mourned for Masistios, being informed that the Hellenes were at Plataia
came themselves also to that part of the Asopos which flows there; and
having arrived there, they were ranged against the enemy by Mardonios
thus:—against the Lacedemonians he stationed the Persians; and since
the Persians were much superior in numbers, they were arrayed in deeper
ranks than those, and notwithstanding this they extended in front of the
Tegeans also: and he ranged them in this manner,—all the strongest part
of that body he selected from the rest and stationed it opposite to the
Lacedemonians, but the weaker part he ranged by their side opposite
to the Tegeans. This he did on the information and suggestion of the
Thebans. Then next to the Persians he ranged the Medes; and these
extended in front of the Corinthians, Potidaians, Orchomenians and
Sikyonians. Next to the Medes he ranged the Bactrians; and these
extended in front of the Epidaurians, Troizenians, Lepreates,
Tirynthians, Mykenians and Phliasians. After the Bactrians he stationed
the Indians; and these extended in front of the Hermionians, Eretrians,
Styrians and Chalkidians. Next to the Indians he ranged the Sacans, who
extended in front of the men of Amprakia, the Anactorians, Leucadians,
Palians and Eginetans. Next to the Sacans and opposite to the Athenians,
Plataians and Megarians, he ranged the Boeotians, Locrians, Malians,
Thessalians, and the thousand men of the Phokians: for not all the
Phokians had taken the side of the Medes, but some of them were even
supporting the cause of the Hellenes, being shut up in Parnassos; and
setting out from thence they plundered from the army of Mardonios and
from those of the Hellenes who were with him. He ranged the Macedonians
also and those who dwell about the borders of Thessaly opposite to the
Athenians..
32. These which have been named were the greatest of the nations who
were arrayed in order by Mardonios, those, I mean, which were the most
renowned and of greatest consideration: but there were in his army
also men of several other nations mingled together, of the Phrygians,
Thracians, Mysians, Paionians, and the rest; and among them also
some Ethiopians, and of the Egyptians those called Hermotybians and
Calasirians, 35 carrying knives, 36 who of all the Egyptians are the
only warriors. These men, while he was yet at Phaleron, he had caused to
disembark from the ships in which they served as fighting-men; for the
Egyptians had not been appointed to serve in the land-army which came
with Xerxes to Athens. Of the Barbarians then there were thirty myriads,
37 as has been declared before; but of the Hellenes who were allies of
Mardonios no man knows what the number was, for they were not numbered;
but by conjecture I judge that these were assembled to the number of
five myriads. These who were placed in array side by side were on foot;
and the cavalry was ranged apart from them in a separate body.
33. When all had been drawn up by nations and by divisions, then on
the next day they offered sacrifice on both sides. For the Hellenes
Tisamenos the son of Antiochos was he who offered sacrifice, for he it
was who accompanied this army as diviner. This man the Lacedemonians had
made to be one of their own people, being an Eleian and of the race
of the Iamidai: 38 for when Tisamenos was seeking divination at Delphi
concerning issue, the Pythian prophetess made answer to him that he
should win five of the greatest contests. He accordingly, missing the
meaning of the oracle, began to attend to athletic games, supposing
that he should win contests of athletics; and he practised for the
"five contests" 39 and came within one fall of winning a victory at the
Olympic games, 40 being set to contend with Hieronymos of Andros. The
Lacedemonians however perceived that the oracle given to Tisamenos had
reference not to athletic but to martial contests, and they endeavoured
to persuade Tisamenos by payment of money, and to make him a leader in
their wars together with the kings of the race of Heracles. He then,
seeing that the Spartans set much store on gaining him over as a friend,
having perceived this, I say, he raised his price and signified to them
that he would do as they desired, if they would make him a citizen of
their State and give him full rights, but for no other payment. The
Spartans at first when they heard this displayed indignation and
altogether gave up their request, but at last, when great terror
was hanging over them of this Persian armament, they gave way 41 and
consented. He then perceiving that they had changed their minds, said
that he could not now be satisfied even so, nor with these terms alone;
but it was necessary that his brother Hegias also should be made a
Spartan citizen on the same terms as he himself became one..
34. By saying this he followed the example of Melampus in his request,
42 if one may compare royal power with mere citizenship; for Melampus
on his part, when the women in Argos had been seized by madness, and the
Argives endeavoured to hire him to come from Pylos and to cause their
women to cease from the malady, proposed as payment for himself the half
of the royal power; and the Argives did not suffer this, but departed:
and afterwards, when more of their women became mad, at length they
accepted that which Melampus had proposed, and went to offer him this:
but he then seeing that they had changed their minds, increased his
demand, and said that he would not do that which they desired unless
they gave to his brother Bias also the third share in the royal power.
43 And the Argives, being driven into straits, consented to this also.
35. Just so the Spartans also, being very much in need of Tisamenos,
agreed with him on any terms which he desired: and when the Spartans had
agreed to this demand also, then Tisamenos the Eleian, having become a
Spartan, had part with them in winning five of the greatest contests
as their diviner: and these were the only men who ever were made
fellow-citizens of the Spartans. Now the five contests were these: one
and the first of them was this at Plataia; and after this the contest at
Tegea, which took place with the Tegeans and the Argives; then that at
Dipaieis against all the Arcadians except the Mantineians; after that
the contest with the Messenians at Ithome; 44 and last of all that which
took place at Tanagra against the Athenians and Argives. This, I say,
was accomplished last of the five contests.
36. This Tisamenos was acting now as diviner for the Hellenes in the
Plataian land, being brought by the Spartans. Now to the Hellenes the
sacrifices were of good omen if they defended themselves only, but not
if they crossed the Asopos and began a battle;.
37, and Mardonios too, who was eager to begin a battle, found the
sacrifices not favourable to this design, but they were of good omen
to him also if he defended himself only; for he too used the Hellenic
manner of sacrifice, having as diviner Hegesistratos an Eleian and the
most famous of the Telliadai, whom before these events the Spartans had
taken and bound, in order to put him to death, because they had suffered
much mischief from him. He then being in this evil case, seeing that he
was running a course for his life and was likely moreover to suffer
much torment before his death, had done a deed such as may hardly be
believed. Being made fast on a block bound with iron, he obtained
an iron tool, which in some way had been brought in, and contrived
forthwith a deed the most courageous of any that we know: for having
first calculated how the remaining portion of his foot might be got out
of the block, he cut away the flat of his own foot, 45 and after that,
since he was guarded still by warders, he broke through the wall and
so ran away to Tegea, travelling during the nights and in the daytime
entering a wood and resting there; so that, though the Lacedemonians
searched for him in full force, he arrived at Tegea on the third
night; and the Lacedemonians were possessed by great wonder both at
his courage, when they saw the piece of the foot that was cut off lying
there, and also because they were not able to find him. So he at that
time having thus escaped them took refuge at Tegea, which then was not
friendly with the Lacedemonians; and when he was healed and had procured
for himself a wooden foot, he became an open enemy of the Lacedemonians.
However in the end the enmity into which he had fallen with the
Lacedemonians was not to his advantage; for he was caught by them while
practising divination in Zakynthos, and was put to death.
38. However the death of Hegesistratos took place later than the
events at Plataia, and he was now at the Asopos, having been hired by
Mardonions for no mean sum, sacrificing and displaying zeal for his
cause both on account of his enmity with the Lacedemonians and on
account of the gain which he got: but as the sacrifices were not
favourable for a battle either for the Persians themselves or for
those Hellenes who were with them (for these also had a diviner for
themselves, Hippomachos a Leucadian), and as the Hellenes had men
constantly flowing in and were becoming more in number, Timagenides the
son of Herpys, a Theban, counselled Mardonios to set a guard on the pass
of Kithairon, saying that the Hellenes were constantly flowing in every
day and that he would thus cut off large numbers..
39. Eight days had now passed while they had been sitting opposite to
one another, when he gave this counsel to Mardonios; and Mardonios,
perceiving that the advice was good, sent the cavalry when night came
on to the pass of Kithairon leading towards Plataia, which the Boeotians
call the "Three Heads" 46 and the Athenians the "Oak Heads." 47 Having
been thus sent, the cavalry did not come without effect, for they caught
five hundred baggage-animals coming out into the plain, which were
bearing provisions from Peloponnesus to the army, and also the men
who accompanied the carts: and having taken this prize the Persians
proceeded to slaughter them without sparing either beast or man; and
when they were satiated with killing they surrounded the rest and drove
them into the camp to Mardonios.
40. After this deed they spent two days more, neither side wishing to
begin a battle; for the Barbarians advanced as far as the Asopos to make
trial of the Hellenes, but neither side would cross the river. However
the cavalry of Mardonios made attacks continually and did damage to the
Hellenes; for the Thebans, being very strong on the side of the Medes,
carried on the war with vigour, and always directed them up to the
moment of fighting; and after this the Persians and Medes took up the
work and were they who displayed valour in their turn.
41. For ten days then nothing more was done than this; but when the
eleventh day had come, while they still sat opposite to one another at
Plataia, the Hellenes having by this time grown much more numerous and
Mardonios being greatly vexed at the delay of action, then Mardonios the
son of Gobryas and Artabazos the son of Pharnakes, who was esteemed
by Xerxes as few of the Persians were besides, came to speech with
one another; and as they conferred, the opinions they expressed were
these,—that of Artabazos, that they must put the whole army in motion
as soon as possible and go to the walls of the Thebans, whither great
stores of corn had been brought in for them and fodder for their beasts;
and that they should settle there quietly and get their business done
as follows:—they had, he said, great quantities of gold, both coined and
uncoined, and also of silver and of drinking-cups; and these he advised
they should send about to the Hellenes without stint, more especially
to those of the Hellenes who were leaders in their several cities; and
these, he said, would speedily deliver up their freedom: and he advised
that they should not run the risk of a battle. His opinion then was the
same as that of the Thebans, 48 for he as well as they had some true
foresight: but the opinion of Mardonios was more vehement and more
obstinate, and he was by no means disposed to yield; for he said that he
thought their army far superior to that of the Hellenes, and he gave as
his opinion that they should engage battle as quickly as possible and
not allow them to assemble in still greater numbers than were already
assembled; and as for the sacrifices of Hegesistratos, they should leave
them alone and not endeavour to force a good sign, but follow the custom
of the Persians and engage battle..
42. When he so expressed his judgment, none opposed him, and thus his
opinion prevailed; for he and not Artabazos had the command of the
army given him by the king. He summoned therefore the commanders of
the divisions and the generals of those Hellenes who were with him, and
asked whether they knew of any oracle regarding the Persians, which
said that they should be destroyed in Hellas; and when those summoned to
council 49 were silent, some not knowing the oracles and others knowing
them but not esteeming it safe to speak, Mardonios himself said: "Since
then ye either know nothing or do not venture to speak, I will tell you,
since I know very well. There is an oracle saying that the Persians are
destined when they come to Hellas to plunder the temple at Delphi, and
having plundered it to perish every one of them. We therefore, just
because we know this, will not go to that temple nor will we attempt
to plunder it; and for this cause we shall not perish. So many of you
therefore as chance to wish well to the Persians, have joy so far
as regards this matter, and be assured that we shall overcome the
Hellenes." Having spoken to them thus, he next commanded to prepare
everything and to set all in order, since at dawn of the next day a
battle would be fought.
43. Now this oracle, which Mardonios said referred to the Persians, I
know for my part was composed with reference with the Illyrians and the
army of the Enchelians, and not with reference to the Persians at all.
However, the oracle which was composed by Bakis with reference to this
battle,
"The gathering of Hellenes together and cry of Barbarian voices,
Where the Thermodon flows, by the banks of grassy Asopos;
Here very many shall fall ere destiny gave them to perish,
Medes bow-bearing in fight, when the fatal day shall approach them,"—
these sayings, and others like them composed by Musaios, I know had
reference to the Persians. Now the river Thermodon flows between Tanagra
and Glisas.
44. After the inquiry about the oracles and the exhortation given by
Mardonios night came on and the guards were set: and when night was far
advanced, and it seemed that there was quiet everywhere in the camps,
and that the men were in their deepest sleep, then Alexander the son of
Amyntas, commander and king of the Macedonians, rode his horse up to
the guard-posts of the Athenians and requested that he might have speech
with their generals. So while the greater number of the guards stayed at
their posts, some ran to the generals, and when they reached them they
said that a man had come riding on a horse out of the camp of the Medes,
who discovered nothing further, but only named the generals and said
that he desired to have speech with them..
45. Having heard this, forthwith they accompanied the men to the
guard-posts, and when they had arrived there, Alexander thus spoke
to them: "Athenians, I lay up these words of mine as a trust to you,
charging you to keep them secret and tell them to no one except only to
Pausanias, lest ye bring me to ruin: for I should not utter them if I
did not care greatly for the general safety of Hellas, seeing that I am
a Hellene myself by original descent and I should not wish to see Hellas
enslaved instead of free. I say then that Mardonios and his army cannot
get the offerings to be according to their mind, 50 for otherwise ye
would long ago have fought. Now however he has resolved to let the
offerings alone and to bring on a battle at dawn of day; for, as
I conjecture, he fears lest ye should assemble in greater numbers.
Therefore prepare yourselves; and if after all Mardonios should put
off the battle and not bring it on, stay where ye are and hold out
patiently; for they have provisions only for a few days remaining. And
if this way shall have its issue according to your mind, then each one
of you ought to remember me also concerning liberation, 51 since I have
done for the sake of the Hellenes so hazardous a deed by reason of my
zeal for you, desiring to show you the design of Mardonios, in order
that the Barbarians may not fall upon you when ye are not as yet
expecting them: and I am Alexander the Macedonian." Thus having spoken
he rode away back to the camp and to his own position.
46. Then the generals of the Athenians came to the right wing and told
Pausanias that which they had heard from Alexander. Upon this saying he
being struck with fear of the Persians spoke as follows: "Since then at
dawn the battle comes on, it is right that ye, Athenians, should take
your stand opposite to the Persians, and we opposite to the Boeotians
and those Hellenes who are now posted against you; and for this reason,
namely because ye are acquainted with the Medes and with their manner
of fighting, having fought with them at Marathon, whereas we have had no
experience of these men and are without knowledge of them; for not
one of the Spartans has made trial of the Medes in fight, but of the
Boeotians and Thessalians we have had experience. It is right therefore
that ye should take up your arms and come to this wing of the army, and
that we should go to the left wing." In answer to this the Athenians
spoke as follows: "To ourselves also long ago at the very first, when we
saw that the Persians were being ranged opposite to you, it occurred to
us to say these very things, which ye now bring forward before we have
uttered them; but we feared lest these words might not be pleasing to
you. Since however ye yourselves have made mention of this, know that
your words have caused us pleasure, and that we are ready to do this
which ye say.".