The Histories of Earth (Part Three)
Learn of the strategic brilliance of Themistocles, who orchestrated a desperate gamble to turn the tide against the Persian fleet. A shared resolve ultimately united the Greeks against the invaders.
“Battle of Salamis” by Wilhelm von Kaulbach (1868)
Chapter 11
I. In the aftermath of the Battle of Thermopylae, King Xerxes, seeking to understand the nature of his adversaries, summoned Demaratus, the exiled former Spartan king. He inquired about the remaining Spartan forces and their fighting capabilities. Demaratus, ever truthful, informed Xerxes of his people’s unflinching courage and their formidable military excellence.
II. The King of Persia sought a way to subdue the Spartans with minimal losses and asked Demaratus for advice. Demaratus suggested a cunning strategy: to send a portion of the Persian fleet to attack the Laconian coast, thereby forcing the Spartans to defend their homeland and preventing them from aiding the rest of Greece.
III. However, Achaemenes, Xerxes's brother and commander of the fleet, opposed this plan, arguing that dividing the naval forces would weaken their position and make them vulnerable to Greek counterattacks. He instead counseled to keep their fleet united and advancing alongside the land army, to ensure mutual support and overwhelming force.
IV. King Xerxes, swayed by Achaemenes's reasoning, decided to maintain the unity of his forces.
V. The Persian king dismissed Demaratus's suggestion, but acknowledged his loyalty and good intentions.
VI. Xerxes, despite his arrogance, recognized the value of diverse perspectives and the importance of respecting those who offered honest remarks, even if it contradicted his own desires.
VII. Meanwhile, the Greek fleet, having retreated from Artemisium, gathered at Salamis at the request of the Athenians.
VIII. The Athenians, fearing the imminent arrival of the Persian army, sought to evacuate their families and strategize their next move.
IX. They had hoped for a united Greek defense at the Isthmus of Corinth, but the Peloponnesian states, prioritizing their own safety, were focused on fortifying the Isthmus and leaving the rest of Greece to fend for itself.
X. This news caused alarm among the Athenians and their allies.
XI. The Greek commanders gathered at Salamis and debated their next course of action.
XII. The news of the Persian army's arrival in Attica and the subsequent destruction of Athens reached the assembled Greek commanders at Salamis, casting a pall over their deliberations.
XIII. Fear and uncertainty gripped the hearts of many, particularly the Athenians who now faced the loss of their homes and the devastation of their beloved city.
XIV. The sight of smoke rising from the Acropolis, a symbol of Athenian pride and resilience, served as a stark reminder of the enemy's power and the dire consequences of defeat.
XV. Amidst the growing panic, some captains, unable to bear the weight of the situation, abandoned the council and hastily prepared their ships for departure, seeking refuge in immediate flight.
XVI. The council, however, remained for they were determined to find a solution despite the bleak outlook. The debate intensified, with voices rising in anger and desperation.
XVII. The Peloponnesians wanted to retreat to the Isthmus to make a stand there, while the Athenians, Eginetans, and Megarians argued to remain at Salamis and engage the Persian fleet in the narrow straits.
XVIII. Themistocles, the Athenian commander at Salamis, recognized the strategic advantage of fighting in the nearby confined waters. As such, he passionately argued against a retreat. He warned that abandoning Salamis would leave other cities vulnerable, and that a defeat at the Isthmus would jeopardize the entire Peloponnese.
XIX. However, the Peloponnesian commanders, led by Adeimantus of Corinth, remained unconvinced. And they questioned the authority of Themistocles, reminding him that Athens had fallen to the Persians and that he was a man without a city.
XX. Themistocles, in a fiery retort, reminded them of the strength of the Athenian fleet and their unwavering commitment to the defense of Greece.
XXI. Sensing that the Peloponnesians were about to vote for retreat, Themistocles resorted to a desperate gamble. He secretly dispatched Sicinnus, a trusted slave, to the Persian fleet with a message designed to deceive King Xerxes.
XXII. Sicinnus informed the Persian commanders that the Greeks were divided and planning to flee, urging them to attack immediately and prevent their escape.
XXIII. Xerxes, believing this false information, ordered his fleet to surround the Greeks at Salamis.
XXIV. Under the cover of darkness, the Persians landed troops on the islet of Psyttaleia and positioned their ships to block any escape route. They were confident of an easy victory, unaware of the trap that Themistocles had laid for them.
XXV. As dawn approached, the Greeks remained oblivious to the Persian movements. They were exhausted and demoralized, their hopes dwindling with each passing hour.
XXVI. However, Themistocles, despite the odds stacked against them, remained resolute. He knew that the fate of Greece rested on the upcoming battle and he was determined to use every ounce of his cunning and strategic brilliance to secure victory.
XXVII. As the sun began to set on the eve of the battle, tension and uncertainty gripped the Greek fleet at Salamis. Unaware of the Persian encirclement, the Greek commanders continued to argue amongst themselves, their unity fraying under the pressure of impending conflict.
XXVIII. Amidst this turmoil, Aristides, a respected Athenian ostracized for his political views, arrived at Salamis. Setting aside his personal rivalry with Themistocles, he sought him out to share crucial information. He had witnessed the Persian movements and confirmed that the Greek fleet was surrounded, leaving them with no option but to fight.
XXIX. Themistocles, relieved by this news, revealed that he had orchestrated the situation, using Sicinnus's message to lure the Persians into a trap. He knew that the confined waters of Salamis would negate the Persian advantage in numbers and provide the Greeks with a fighting chance.
XXX. With the Persian encirclement confirmed, despite much agitation over the actions of Themistocles, the Greek commanders were finally forced to unite in their resolve to face the enemy together.
XXXI. As dawn broke, the men-at-arms were assembled, and Themistocles delivered a rousing speech which could be heard over the waters, urging them to choose valor over cowardice and fight for the freedom of Greece.
XXXII. And the Greek fleet sailed out to meet the Persian armada.
XXXIII. The Persians, confident of victory, eagerly engaged the Greeks, expecting to crush their smaller fleet with ease. However, the Greeks, fighting with discipline and determination, proved to be more than a match for their adversaries.
XXXIV. The Athenians, positioned on the western flank, clashed with the Phoenicians, while the Spartans, on the eastern side, faced the Ionians. The Ionians, despite their divided loyalties, fought with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Some, having heard Themistocles's earlier plea, fought half-heartedly, while others, seeking to prove their allegiance to the Persians, engaged the Greeks with fervor.
XXXV. The battle raged throughout the day, with the Greeks gradually gaining the upper hand. Their superior seamanship and coordinated tactics allowed them to outmaneuver and outfight the Persians, whose vast numbers became a liability in the confined waters of the straits.
XXXVI. The Persians suffered heavy losses, including Ariabignes, son of Darius and a high-ranking commander. Many other Persian nobles and allies perished in the battle, while the Greeks, due to their common ability to swim, suffered relatively few casualties.
XXXVII. As the Persian fleet began to retreat in disarray, chaos ensued. Ships collided, and many Persians drowned, unable to swim.
XXXVIII. The Phoenicians, seeking to deflect blame for their defeat, accused the Ionians of treachery. However, Xerxes, witnessing the Samothracians' valiant actions, turned his anger on the Phoenicians and ordered their execution.
XXXIX. The Greeks, exhausted but triumphant, returned to Salamis, having achieved a stunning victory against all odds.
LX. The Battle of Salamis marked a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars, shattering the myth of Persian invincibility.
LXI. The news of the Greek victory spread like wildfire, igniting hope and inspiring resistance throughout Greece.
LXII. The Persians, demoralized and depleted of resources, were forced to reconsider their strategy. King Xerxes, his dreams of conquest shattered, began to contemplate retreat.
LXIII. The Battle of Salamis was a triumph of Greek unity and determination. It demonstrated the power of a free people fighting for their homeland and their way of life.
LXIV. The legacy of Salamis resonates throughout history. It has inspired generations of humankind and shaped the course of all civilization.
Chapter 12
I. Xerxes, King of Persia, beheld the remnants of his once-mighty fleet, his heart heavy with the sting of defeat at Salamis. Fear crept into his thoughts, as he heard whispers that the Greeks were preparing to sail to the Hellespont and destroy the bridges, trapping him and his army in Europe.
II. Panic fueled a desperate plan. To mask his true intentions, Xerxes ordered the construction of an earthen mound across the channel to Salamis, creating an illusion of continued aggression. He commanded Phoenician merchant ships to be linked together, forming a makeshift bridge and wall, all while giving the appearance of preparations for another naval battle.
III. The Persian king’s advisors, deceived by this charade, believed Xerxes intended to remain and fight. Only Mardonius, his seasoned general and confidante, saw through the facade, his long acquaintance allowing him to decipher the king's true thoughts.
IV. A messenger was dispatched to Persia, carrying the bitter news of the defeat. The Persian system of communication, a marvel of efficiency known as "Angarum," ensured the swift delivery of the message. Horse riders, stationed along the royal road, relayed the news day and night, undeterred by weather or darkness.
V. In Susa, the initial message of King Xerxes's supposed victory at Athens had been met with jubilation. The streets were adorned with myrtle boughs, incense filled the air, and the people reveled in celebration. Yet, the subsequent news of Salamis plunged the city into despair.
VI. Garments were torn in Susa, cries of anguish echoed through the streets, and tears flowed freely. Mardonius bore the brunt of the blame, his counsel to invade Greece now seen as the source of their misfortune.
VII. And their grief came not only from the loss of their navy’s ships, but also for the fear for their king's safety.
VIII. Mardonius, aware of the shifting tides of opinion, knew he needed to act. He approached Xerxes, offering a solution that would salvage his own reputation and appease the king's wounded pride. "Master," he declared, "our fate does not hinge on a few lost ships, but on our mighty army. The Greeks cannot withstand our land forces."
IX. "Let us march on the Peloponnese and crush them," Mardonius continued. "Or, if you must return to Persia, grant me 300,000 of your finest troops, and I shall conquer the Peloponnese in your name. I will bring you the heads of their leaders and dominate their lands."
X. Xerxes, desperate for a glimmer of hope, was swayed by Mardonius's bold proposal. He gathered his advisors, seeking their counsel. Among them was Artemisia, a woman of exceptional wisdom and strategic insight.
XI. "My king," she advised, "it is wise to return home. If Mardonius wishes to remain and fulfill his promises, grant him the troops he desires. Should he succeed, the glory is yours. If he fails, the loss is minimal, as long as you and your lineage remain secure."
XII. "The Greeks will fight many battles for their freedom," Artemisia continued, "but the loss of Mardonius is inconsequential. Remember, you have achieved your primary objective: Athens lies in ashes."
XIII. King Xerxes, recognizing the wisdom in Artemisia's words, agreed to her counsel. He entrusted her with the safe passage of his sons to Ephesus.
XIV. With his departure from Greece imminent, the King of Persia entrusted Mardonius with the task of completing the conquest. He ordered the remnants of his fleet to sail for the Hellespont, ensuring the safety of the bridges for his return.
XV. The Greeks, observing the Persian army still encamped, initially believed their fleet remained nearby and prepared for another attack. However, upon learning of the fleet's departure, they set sail in pursuit, reaching Andros before halting to deliberate their next move.
XVI. Themistocles, ever the strategist, urged them to press on to the Hellespont and destroy the bridges, to trap the Persians in Europe.
XVII. However, Eurybiades, the Spartan commander, argued against this, fearing it would only prolong the conflict and force the Persians into desperate measures.
XVIII. The Greeks ultimately decided against pursuing the Persians or destroying the bridges. Instead, they laid siege to Andros, seeking retribution for their refusal to submit to Athenian demands.
XIX. Meanwhile, Themistocles, ever resourceful, sent threatening messages to other islands, demanding tribute and using the siege of Andros as an example of the consequences of defiance.
XX. Fearing the might of the Athenian fleet, the islands of Carystus and Paros yielded to Themistocles' demands, providing him with substantial wealth.
XXI. With his treasury enriched, Themistocles and the Athenian fleet eventually departed Andros, leaving the island to its fate.
XXII. King Xerxes and his diminished army retreated through Boeotia, retracing their steps towards the Hellespont. Mardonius, with his enormous army of experienced Persian soldiers, remained in Thessaly, preparing for his spring campaign against the Peloponnese.
XXIII. The Spartans, seeking justice for the death of their king at Thermopylae, sent a herald to Xerxes, demanding retribution.
XXIV. The King of Persia, with a dismissive laugh, delegated the matter to Mardonius, leaving the Spartans to seek their vengeance on the battlefield.
XXV. As the king journeyed back to Persia, his once-mighty army was reduced to a shadow of its former self. Hunger and disease had taken their toll, and the king was forced to leave behind many of his sick and wounded soldiers in the care of the cities along his route.
XXVI. Upon reaching the Hellespont, Xerxes discovered the bridges destroyed by storms. He and his remaining forces were forced to board ships and sail to Abydos, where they finally found respite and sustenance.
XXVII. The Persian king eventually returned to Sardis, his dreams of conquering Greece shattered. The expedition had proven to be a costly failure, a monument to the Greeks' unwavering determination and the perils of underestimating one's enemies.
XXVIII. The Greeks, having repelled the Persian invasion, gathered at the Isthmus of Corinth to celebrate their victory and award honors to those who had distinguished themselves in battle.
XXIX. Themistocles, despite his crucial role in the Greek triumph, was denied the highest honor due to the envy of his fellow commanders. However, he was widely recognized as the wisest and most cunning strategist among the Greeks, his fame spreading throughout the land.
XXX. When spring blossomed, the remnants of the Persian fleet gathered at Samos, their numbers bolstered by Persian and Median troops. Mardontes, Artayntes, and Ithamitres, the appointed commanders, dared not venture further west, haunted by the memory of their defeat at Salamis.
XXXI. The Persian commanders remained at Samos, keeping a watchful eye on Ionia, wary of any potential uprising. Their fleet, numbering three hundred ships including those provided by the Ionians, served as a symbol of Persian dominance in the region.
XXXII. Having lost faith in their naval capabilities, the commanders believed their only hope for victory lay with Mardonius and his land army. They waited anxiously for news of his progress, while contemplating ways to harass the Greek forces from their base at Samos.
XXXIII. Meanwhile, the Greeks, spurred by the knowledge of Mardonius's presence in Thessaly, began to mobilize their forces.
XXXIV. A fleet of one hundred and ten ships, commanded by the ascendant Spartan king Leotychides and the Athenian Xanthippus, assembled at Aegina.
XXXV. Leotychides, a descendant of the Heraclid dynasty and a seasoned leader, traced his lineage back to the legendary hero Hercules. His ancestors, with few exceptions, had ruled Sparta for generations, solidifying his claim to the throne and his authority as commander.
XXXVI. As the Greek fleet gathered, ambassadors from Ionia arrived, seeking assistance in liberating their homeland from Persian rule.
XXXVII. Among them was Herodotus, a man of noble birth and a witness to the Ionian struggle for freedom. It is from this single writer that we derive much of what we know of the Greco-Persian Wars, the axial events of this age, which he detailed in his foundational work known as the Histories.
XXXVIII. The Ionian ambassadors had previously journeyed to Sparta, pleading for support. Their mission had been fraught with danger, as they had been forced to flee Chios after a failed attempt to overthrow the tyrant Strattis.
XXXIX. The Greeks, hesitant to venture beyond Delos, perceived the regions further east as teeming with Persian forces and shrouded in mystery. Samos, in their minds, seemed as distant as the fabled Pillars of Hercules.
XL. Thus, a stalemate ensued, with both the Persians and the Greeks confined by their fears and uncertainties. The Aegean Sea became a dividing line, separating the two opposing forces.
XLI. Mardonius, seeking to exploit Greek divisions, sent an envoy to Athens, offering peace and an alliance against the Peloponnese. The Spartans, upon learning of this, dispatched their own ambassadors to Athens, urging them to reject the Persian offer.
XLII. The Athenian assembly, convened to hear both sets of ambassadors, listened intently as the Spartans implored them to uphold their commitment to freedom and resist the temptations of Persian promises.
XLIII. The assembly, unwavering in their resolve, declared their unwavering opposition to Persian tyranny. The Athenians reminded the Spartans of their shared heritage and obligation to defend Greece against the invaders.
XLIV. Mardonius, upon receiving the Athenians' defiant response, wasted no time to mobilize his army and march towards Athens. He compelled the cities along his route to provide additional troops, bolstering his forces for the impending confrontation.
XLV. The Thebans, ever opportunistic, advised Mardonius to establish a base in Boeotia and sow discord among the Greeks through bribery and political maneuvering.
XLVI. However, Mardonius, driven by his desire to conquer Athens and prove his worth to Xerxes, pressed onward.
XLVII. The Athenians, once again, evacuated their city, leaving it deserted and vulnerable to the approaching Persian army.
XLVIII. Mardonius, hoping to break their spirit, sent another message offering terms of peace, but the Athenians remained steadfast in their refusal.
XLIX. As tensions escalated, a tragic incident unfolded in Athens. Lycidas, a council member who suggested considering the Persian offer, was stoned to death by an enraged mob, along with his wife and children.
L. The Athenians, frustrated by the Spartans' delayed response, sent messengers to Sparta, reproaching them for their inaction and urging them to send reinforcements immediately.
LI. The Spartans, having completed the construction of their defensive wall across the Isthmus of Corinth, finally agreed to send an army of 5,000 Spartans and 35,000 helots under the command of Pausanias, the regent for the young king Pleistarchus.
LII. The Spartan army marched towards Attica, prepared to join forces with the Athenians and confront the Persian threat.
Chapter 13
I. General Mardonius received news that the Spartan army was on the move, their sights set on confronting his forces. He had remained in Attica, hoping to sway the Athenians towards an alliance, but their relentless defiance forced him to reconsider his strategy.
II. Attica, with its limited space for cavalry maneuvers and treacherous mountain passes, posed a significant risk for the Persian army. A defeat in such terrain could prove disastrous, leaving them with few escape routes.
III. Mardonius, recognizing the strategic disadvantage, decided to withdraw his forces to Boeotia, a region more favorable for cavalry engagements and closer to friendly Theban territory. Before his departure, however, he ordered Athens to be razed to the ground, reducing any remaining structures to rubble as a final act of vengeance.
IV. As the Persian army marched towards Boeotia, Mardonius received intelligence of a detachment of one thousand Lacedaemonians stationed in the Megarid.
V. Seeking to eliminate this potential threat, Mardonius ordered a sudden change of course, directing Persian forces towards Megara.
VI. The Persian cavalry, at the vanguard of the army, swept through the Megarid, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Unbeknownst to anyone at that time, this would mark the westernmost point of the Persian advance into Europe.
VII. However, further reports reached Mardonius, indicating that the main Greek forces were mustering at the Isthmus of Corinth. In recognition of the futility of engaging the Spartans in Megara, he ordered his army to retreat and continue their march towards Thebes.
VIII. Despite the Thebans' allegiance to the Persian cause, Mardonius ordered the felling of trees in the surrounding area. He intended to use the timber to construct a defensive rampart, providing his army with protection and a fallback position in case of defeat.
IX. The Persian army established their camp along the Asopus River, stretching from Erythrae to Hysiae and bordering the territory of Plataea. The construction of their rampart commenced, forming a square enclosure approximately ten furlongs in length on each side.
X. Amidst these preparations, Attaginus, a prominent Theban citizen, hosted a lavish banquet for Mardonius and fifty of his most esteemed Persian officers. Fifty Theban nobles were also invited, and the guests were seated in pairs, a Persian and a Theban on each couch, to cultivate an atmosphere of camaraderie and alliance.
XI. As the feast progressed and the wine flowed freely, a Persian officer engaged in conversation with his Theban counterpart, Thersander. The Persian, speaking in fluent Greek, inquired about Thersander's city of origin.
XII. Thersander replied that he hailed from Orchomenus. The Persian officer, overcome by a sense of foreboding, confided in him, "My friend, of all the Persians you see feasting here and the enormous army encamped nearby, few will remain alive in the coming days."
XIII. Tears streamed down the Persian's face as he spoke, prompting Thersander to urge him to share his concerns with Mardonius and the other high-ranking officers.
XIV. However, the Persian officer lamented, "Dear friend, warnings, however true, often fall on deaf ears. Many of us Persians foresee the danger that lies ahead, but we are bound by duty to obey our leader.”
XV. “It is a cruel twist of fate to possess knowledge, yet lack the power to alter one's course."
XVI. During the previous year's invasion, Mardonius had garnered support from various Greek cities sympathetic to the Persian cause. These cities had contributed troops to his army, reinforcing them for the campaign against Athens.
XVII. The Phocians, however, had only reluctantly joined the Persian alliance, compelled by circumstance rather than genuine loyalty.
XVIII. Following the Persian army's arrival in Thebes, a thousand Phocian soldiers, led by Harmocydes, arrived at their camp.
XIX. Mardonius, suspicious of the Phocians' true allegiance, ordered them to take up a position on the plain, isolated from the rest of the army.
XX. The Persian cavalry then surrounded the Phocians, their bows drawn and arrows poised to fly.
XXI. A rumor spread through the camp that Mardonius intended to eliminate the Phocians, perhaps influenced by accusations of treachery from the Thessalians.
XXII. The Phocians themselves braced for the worst, their leader Harmocydes rallying their spirits with words of resistance.
XXIII. "Phocians," he declared, "it is clear that the Persians seek our demise.”
XXIV. “Now is the time to prove our valor! It is better to die fighting than to succumb to a shameful death. Let them know that we are Greeks, not barbarians, and that we will not be slaughtered like sheep!"
XXV. The Persian cavalry charged towards the Phocians, but to their surprise, the Phocians stood firm, their ranks tightly formed and their shields interlocked. The cavalry, hesitant to engage in close combat, abruptly wheeled around and retreated.
XXVI. Whether Mardonius truly intended to eliminate the Phocians or merely test their resolve remains uncertain. Regardless, he sent a herald to reassure them, who praised their courage and urged them to fight alongside the Persians in the upcoming battle.
XXVII. The Phocians, having proven their mettle, were left to ponder their uncertain fate. They had escaped immediate danger, but their loyalty remained suspect, and their role in the impending conflict remained unclear.
XXVIII. The air was thick with tension and suspicion, as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash that would determine the future of Greece.
XXIX. The Spartan army, led by Pausanias, arrived at the Isthmus of Corinth and established their camp. As news of their arrival spread, other Peloponnesian forces joined them, forming a united front against the Persian threat.
XXX. The combined Greek army marched towards Eleusis, where they were met by the Athenian forces who had crossed over from Salamis. Together, they advanced into Boeotia, reaching Erythrae, where they learned of the Persian encampment along the Asopus River.
XXXI. The Greeks, after careful deliberation, positioned themselves on the slopes of Mount Cithaeron, overlooking the Persian army in the plains below.
XXXII. Mardonius, frustrated by the Greeks' refusal to engage in open battle, sent his cavalry, led by the renowned Masistius, to harass them.
XXXIII. Masistius, a formidable warrior adorned in gleaming armor and mounted upon a magnificent Nisaean charger, led his cavalry in a series of charges against the Greek lines. The Persians, skilled horsemen and archers, inflicted significant damage upon the Greeks, who struggled to counter their swift attacks.
XXXIV. The Megarians, positioned on the most vulnerable flank, bore the brunt of the Persian cavalry assaults. Overwhelmed and exhausted, they sent a desperate plea to the Greek commanders, requesting reinforcements to hold their position.
XXXV. Pausanias, seeking volunteers to relieve the Megarians, found no takers among the Peloponnesian forces. The Athenians, however, stepped forward, offering a contingent of three hundred elite warriors led by Olympiodorus, accompanied by a company of skilled archers.
XXXVI. The Athenians bravely engaged the Persian cavalry, their archers raining arrows upon the enemy horsemen. In the midst of the chaos, Masistius's horse was struck by an arrow, causing it to rear and throw its rider to the ground.
XXXVII. The Athenians swarmed around the fallen Masistius, attempting to subdue him. His golden scale armor and scarlet tunic deflected their blows, until one soldier thrust his spear into Masistius's eye, ending his life.
XXXVIII. The Persian cavalry, initially unaware of their leader's demise, continued their assault. However, upon realizing Masistius was missing, they regrouped and charged towards the Athenians in a desperate attempt to recover his body.
XXXIX. The Athenians, outnumbered and hard-pressed, called for reinforcements. The Greek infantry rushed to their aid and a fierce battle ensued around the fallen Masistius.
XL. The Persians, despite their ferocity, were unable to withstand the combined Greek forces. They retreated, leaving Masistius's body behind and suffering further casualties in the process.
XLI. Mardonius and the Persian army mourned the loss of Masistius, a respected leader and skilled warrior. They shaved their heads and the manes of their horses as a sign of grief, their cries echoing throughout Boeotia.
XLII. The Greeks, emboldened by their success against the Persian cavalry, decided to relocate their camp to a more advantageous position near Plataea. This area in Plataea, known to locals as "The Island," offered a plentiful water supply and better protection from cavalry attacks.
XLIII. As the Greeks prepared to move their camp, a dispute arose between the Athenians and the Tegeans, both claiming the honor of holding one of the wings of the army. Each side boasted of their past victories and contributions to the Greek cause.
XLIV. Ultimately, the Athenians' valor at Marathon and Salamis swayed the decision in their favor. The Greek army was then arranged in battle formation, with the Spartans and Tegeans holding the right wing, the Athenians on the left, and the other Greek contingents positioned in between.
XLV. The Persian army, under Mardonius's command, mirrored the Greek formation, placing their most elite troops, the Persians, opposite the Spartans and Tegeans. The Medes, Bactrians, Indians, Sacans, and other allied forces were arrayed against the remaining Greek contingents.
XLVI. The two armies, vast and diverse in their composition, stood poised for battle, their fates intertwined in the impending violence.
XLVII. The Greeks, outnumbered but united in their desire for freedom, faced the mighty Persian Empire. They were determined to defend their homeland and their way of life.
XLVIII. For several days, both sides hesitated, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The Persian cavalry continued to harass the Greeks, to disrupt their supply lines and test their defenses.
XLIX. Mardonius, concerned about dwindling supplies and the growing strength of the Greek army, decided to force a confrontation. He planned to launch a full-scale attack the following day, hoping to crush the Greeks and secure a decisive victory.
L. Alexander of Macedon, whose troops were aligned with the Persians, secretly contacted the Greek generals under the cover of darkness, informing them of Mardonius's plan.
LI. Following this revelation, the Greeks convened a council to discuss their strategy.
LII. Pausanias, recognizing the Athenians' experience in fighting the Persians, proposed that they switch positions, with the Athenians taking the right wing against the Persians and the Spartans facing the Boeotians and Thessalians on the left. The Athenians readily agreed to this tactical maneuver.
LIII. Mardonius, observing the Greeks changing their formation, responded in kind, mirroring their movements. The general then sent a mocking message to the Spartans, taunting them for their apparent cowardice and questioning their reputation for bravery.
LIV. The Persian cavalry, at Mardonius's command, launched a series of attacks against the Greek lines. They showered them with arrows and disrupted their formations.
LV. The Persians also managed to cut off the Greeks' access to the Gargaphian spring, their primary source of water.
LVI. The Greek generals, facing a critical situation, decided to relocate their camp to a more defensible position near the "Island," a tract of land surrounded by the Oeroe River. This location offered better access to water and protection from cavalry attacks.
LVII. However, the plan to retreat under the cover of darkness was met with resistance from Amompharetus, a Spartan commander who refused to abandon his position. He argued that retreating would be seen as cowardice and would damage Spartan honor.
LVIII. Pausanias and Euryanax, the other Spartan leaders, attempted to reason with Amompharetus, but he remained defiant.
LIX. The Athenians, observing the dispute and growing concerned about the Spartans' commitment, sent a messenger to inquire about the situation.
LX. When the Athenian messenger arrived, Amompharetus, in a dramatic gesture, placed a large rock at Pausanias's feet, declaring, "With this pebble, I cast my vote against fleeing from the barbarians!"
LXI. Pausanias, exasperated by Amompharetus's stubbornness, dismissed him as a fool and ordered the retreat to proceed.
LXII. The Spartan army, with the exception of Amompharetus's contingent, began their march towards “the Island."
LXIII. The Athenians, following a different route through the plains, also began their retreat. Amompharetus, realizing he had been left behind, reluctantly ordered his troops to follow the main army.
LXIV. As the Greek forces regrouped near the Moloeis River in Plataea, the Persian cavalry caught up with them, launching a fierce attack. The Spartans and Tegeans, forming a defensive line, bore the brunt of the assault.
LXV. The Persians, armed with bows and wicker shields, unleashed a barrage of arrows upon the Greeks, inflicting heavy casualties. The Tegeans, unable to withstand the onslaught, charged forward, followed by the Spartans.
LXVI. A brutal melee ensued, with both sides fighting fiercely. The Persians, though courageous and determined, were ultimately outmatched by the heavily armored and disciplined Greek hoplites.
LXVII. Mardonius, leading from the front, fought valiantly but was eventually slain by Aeimnestus, a Spartan warrior seeking vengeance for the death of Leonidas at Thermopylae.
LXVIII. With their leader fallen and their ranks broken, the Persians retreated in disarray, seeking refuge within their fortified camp.
LXIX. The remaining Greek forces pursued the Persians, to inflict further casualties and secure a decisive victory.
LXX. Artabazus, a Persian commander who had opposed the battle from the outset, led his contingent of 40,000 soldiers away from the battlefield, recognizing the futility of further resistance. He marched his troops towards Phocis, intent on making his way back to the Hellespont to escape the carnage.
LXXI. The Boeotians fought bravely against the Athenians, but were ultimately defeated and forced to retreat to Thebes.
LXXII. The remaining Persian allies, seeing the tide of battle turn against them, fled without offering any resistance.
LXXIII. The Greeks, through their courage, unity, and tactical prowess, had decisively defeated the Persian army in the Battle of Plataea.