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The History of Herodotus: Page 46
Volume Two - Book IX
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BOOK IX
THE NINTH BOOK OF THE HISTORIES, CALLED CALLIOPE
1. Mardonios, when Alexander had returned back and had signified to
him that which was said by the Athenians, set forth from Thessaly and
began to lead his army with all diligence towards Athens: and to
whatever land he came, he took up with him the people of that land.
The leaders of Thessaly meanwhile did not repent of all that which had
been done already, but on the contrary they urged on the Persian yet
much more; and Thorax of Larissa had joined in escorting Xerxes in his
flight and at this time he openly offered Mardonios passage to invade
Hellas.
2. Then when the army in its march came to Bœotia, the Thebans
endeavoured to detain Mardonios, and counselled him saying that there
was no region more convenient for him to have his encampment than
that; and they urged him not to advance further, but to sit down there
and endeavour to subdue to himself the whole of Hellas without
fighting: for to overcome the Hellenes by open force when they were
united, as at the former time they were of one accord together,[1] was
a difficult task even for the whole world combined, "but," they
proceeded, "if thou wilt do that which we advise, with little labour
thou wilt have in thy power all their plans of resistance.[2] Send
money to the men who have power in their cities, and thus sending thou
wilt divide Hellas into two parties: after that thou wilt with ease
subdue by the help of thy party those who are not inclined to thy
side."
3. Thus they advised, but he did not follow their counsel; for
there had instilled itself into him a great desire to take Athens for
the second time, partly from obstinacy[3] and partly because he meant
to signify to the king in Sardis that he was in possession of Athens
by beacon-fires through the islands.
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However he did not even at this time find the Athenians there when
he came to Attica; but he was informed that the greater number were
either in Salamis or in the ships, and he captured the city finding
it deserted. Now the capture of the city by the king had taken place
ten months before the later expedition of Mardonios against it.
4. When Mardonios had come to Athens, he sent to Salamis Morychides 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 Bœotia, 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 Bœotia 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 Bœotia 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 Bœotia, 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,[9a] 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 Bœotia[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 Bœotia, 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 Bœotia, 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 Bœotia 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.
26. Then in the arranging of the several posts there arose a
contention of much argument[25a] 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.
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