Book 7
When Sandoces had been hung on the cross, Darius found on consideration that his good services to the royal house outweighed his offenses. The king then perceived that he had acted with more haste than wisdom and set Sandoces free.
In this way he escaped from being put to death by Darius. Now that he was taken into the midst of the Greeks, however, he was not to escape a second time, for when the Greeks saw the Persians bearing down on them, they perceived their mistake and putting to sea, easily took them captive.
In one of these ships they took Aridolis, the tyrant of +Alabanda [28,37.6] (Perseus) Alabanda in +Caria [28,37.5] (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Caria, and in another the Paphian captain Penthylus, son of Demonous; of the twelve ships which he had brought from +Paphos [32.416,34.75] (inhabited place), Paphos, Cyprus, Asia Paphos he had lost eleven in the storm off the Sepiad headland and was in the one which remained when he was taken as he headed down on +Artemisium [23.2417,39.0083] (Perseus) Artemisium. Having questioned these men and learned what they desired to know of Xerxes' force, the Greeks sent them away to the isthmus of Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth in bonds.
So the foreign fleet, of which, with the exception of fifteen ships Sandoces was captain, came to +Aphetae [23.1167,39.1167] (Perseus) Aphetae. Xerxes and his land army marched through +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly and +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea, and it was three days since he had entered Malis. In +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly he held a race for his own cavalry; this was also a test of the Thessalian horsemen, whom he had heard were the best in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas. The Greek horses were far outpaced in this contest. Of the Thessalian rivers, the Onochonus was the only one which could not provide enough water for his army to drink. In +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea, however, even the greatest river there, the Apidanus,The Apidanus and Enipeus unite; the whole stream, a tributary of the Peneus, is sometimes called Apidanus and sometimes Enipeus. gave out, remaining but a sorry trickle.
When Xerxes had come to Alus in +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea, his guides, desiring to inform him of all they knew, told him the story which is related in that country concerning the worship of Laphystian Zeus, namely how Athamas son of Aeolus plotted Phrixus' death with Ino, and further, how the Achaeans by an oracle's bidding compel Phrixus descendants to certain tasks.
They order the eldest of that family not to enter their town-hall (which the Achaeans call the People's House)From λεώς or ληός. and themselves keep watch there. If he should enter, he may not come out, save only to be sacrificed. They say as well that many of those who were to be sacrificed had fled in fear to another country, and that if they returned at a later day and were taken, they were brought into the town-hall. The guides showed Xerxes how the man is sacrificed, namely with fillets covering him all over and a procession to lead him forth.
It is the descendants of Phrixus' son Cytissorus who are treated in this way, because when the Achaeans by an oracle's bidding made Athamas son of Aeolus a scapegoat for their country and were about to sacrifice him, this Cytissorus came from Aea in +Caucasus (region (general)), Asia Colchis and delivered him, thereby bringing the god's wrath on his own descendants.
Hearing all this, Xerxes, when he came to the temple grove, refrained from entering it himself and bade all his army do likewise, holding the house and the precinct of Athamas' descendants alike in reverence.The legend, in its main features, originates in the cult of “Zeus Laphystius,” a tribal god who, like the Jehovah of the O. T. and the Moloch and Melqart of the Phoenicians, has a right to all first-born, especially of the priestly house. In time human sacrifice is avoided by the substitution of a ram; but even then the first-born child must leave the country.
These were Xerxes' actions in +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly and +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea. From here he came into Malis along a gulf of the sea, in which the tide ebbs and flows daily.Tidal movement is rare in the Mediterranean Sea [30,31.5] (sea)Mediterranean. But there is a strong ebb and flood in the Euripus, which is not far from the Malian gulf. There is low-lying ground about this gulf, sometimes wide and sometimes very narrow, and around it stand high and inaccessible mountains which enclose the whole of Malis and are called the Rocks of +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis.
Now the first town by the gulf on the way from +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea is Anticyra, near to which the river Spercheus flows from the country of the Enieni and issues into the sea. About twenty furlongs from that river is another named Dyras, which is said to have risen from the ground to aid Heracles against the fire that consumed him and twenty furlongs again from that there is another river called the Black river.
The town of +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis is five furlongs away from this Black river. Here is the greatest distance in all this region between the sea and the hills on which +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis stands, for the plain is twenty-two thousand plethra in extent.This must be a measure not of length but of superficial extent: more than 5000 acres. In the mountains which hem in the Trachinian land there is a ravine to the south of +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis, through which the river Asopus flows past the lower slopes of the mountains.
There is another river south of the Asopus, the Phoenix, a little stream which flows from those mountains into the Asopus. Near this stream is the narrowest place; there is only space for a single cart-way. +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae is fifteen furlongs away from the river Phoenix.
Between the river and +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae there is a village named Anthele, past which the Asopus flows out into the sea, and there is a wide space around it in which stand a temple of Amphictyonid Demeter, seats for the Amphictyons,Lit. dwellers around: neighboring tribes forming a league, and sending representatives (Pylagori) to a conference held twice a year. and a temple of Amphictyon himself
King Xerxes lay encamped in +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis in Malis and the Hellenes in the pass.In the space between the eastern and western narrow ἔσοδοι. This place is called +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae by most of the Hellenes, but by the natives and their neighbors Pylae.“the Gates”, since it served as the entrance into Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeGreece from the north. +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae means “the Hot Gates”, from the warm springs there. Each lay encamped in these places. Xerxes was master of everything to the northWest, properly speaking; “southward” below should be “eastward.” from +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis, and the Hellenes of all that lay toward the south on the mainland.That is, Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeGreece.
The Hellenes who awaited the Persians in that place were these: three hundred Spartan armed men; one thousand from Tegea [22.4,37.5] (Perseus) Tegea and +Mantinea [22.3833,37.6167] (Perseus) Mantinea, half from each place; one hundred and twenty from Kalpali [22.3,37.716] (inhabited place), Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Orchomenus in +Arcadia [22.25,37.583] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Arcadia and one thousand from the rest of +Arcadia [22.25,37.583] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Arcadia; that many Arcadians, four hundred from Corinth [22.9083,37.9083] (Perseus) Corinth, two hundred from Phlius, and eighty Mycenaeans. These were the Peloponnesians present; from Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia there were seven hundred Thespians and four hundred Thebans.
In addition, the Opuntian Locrians in full force and one thousand Phocians came at the summons. The Hellenes had called upon them through messengers who told them that this was only the advance guard, that the rest of the allies were expected any day now, and that the sea was being watched, with the Athenians and Aeginetans and all those enrolled in the fleet on guard. There was nothing for them to be afraid of.
The invader of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas was not a god but a human being, and there was not, and never would be, any mortal on whom some amount of evil was not bestowed at birth, with the greatest men receiving the largest share. The one marching against them was certain to fall from pride, since he was a mortal. When they heard this, the Locrians and Phocians marched to +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis to help.
Each city had its own general, but the one most admired and the leader of the whole army was a Lacedaemonian, Leonidas, son of Anaxandrides, son of Leon, son of Eurycratides, son of Anaxandrus, son of Eurycrates, son of Polydorus, son of Alcamenes, son of Teleclus, son of Archelaus, son of Hegesilaus, son of Doryssus, son of Leobotes, son of Echestratus, son of Agis, son of Eurysthenes, son of Aristodemus, son of Aristomachus, son of Cleodaeus, son of Hyllus, son of Heracles. Leonidas had gained the kingship at Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta unexpectedly.
Since he had two older brothers, Cleomenes and Dorieus, he had renounced all thought of the kingship. Cleomenes, however, died without male offspring, and Dorieus, who had met his end in Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily, was also no longer alive. The succession therefore fell to Leonidas since he was older than Anaxandrides' youngest son Cleombrotus and had married Cleomenes' daughter.
He now came to +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae with the appointed three hundred he had selected,The regular number of the royal body-guard, the so-called ἱππεῖς. No other translation of this sentence than what I have given is possible; but if “all of whom had sons” are added to the 300, this is inconsistent with the received tradition that there were only 300 Spartans at +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae. There seems to be no explanation of the matter except Dr. Macan's theory that Herodotus made a mistake. Of course if ἐπιλεξάμενος could mean “selecting from,” the difficulty might be removed; but I do not think it can. all of whom had sons. He also brought those Thebans whom I counted among the number and whose general was Leontiades son of Eurymachus.
Leonidas took pains to bring only the Thebans among the Hellenes, because they were accused of medizing; he summoned them to the war wishing to know whether they would send their men with him or openly refuse the Hellenic alliance. They sent the men but intended something quite different
The Spartans sent the men with Leonidas on ahead so that the rest of the allies would see them and march, instead of medizing like the others if they learned that the Spartans were delaying. At present the Carneia The national festival in honor of Apollo, held in September. was in their way, but once they had completed the festival, they intended to leave a garrison at Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta and march out in full force with all speed.
The rest of the allies planned to do likewise, for the Olympiad coincided with these events. They accordingly sent their advance guard, not expecting the war at +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae to be decided so quickly.
This is what they intended, but the Hellenes at +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae, when the Persians drew near the pass, fearfully took counsel whether to depart. The rest of the Peloponnesians were for returning to the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese and guarding the isthmus, but the Phocians and Locrians were greatly angered by this counsel. Leonidas voted to remain where they were and send messengers to the cities bidding them to send help, since they were too few to ward off the army of the Medes.
While they debated in this way, Xerxes sent a mounted scout to see how many there were and what they were doing. While he was still in +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly, he had heard that a small army was gathered there and that its leaders were Lacedaemonians, including Leonidas, who was of the Heracleid clan.
Riding up to the camp, the horseman watched and spied out the place. He could, however, not see the whole camp, for it was impossible to see those posted inside the wall which they had rebuilt and were guarding. He did take note of those outside, whose arms lay in front of the wall, and it chanced that at that time the Lacedaemonians were posted there.
He saw some of the men exercising naked and others combing their hair. He marvelled at the sight and took note of their numbers. When he had observed it all carefully, he rode back in leisure, since no one pursued him or paid him any attention at all. So he returned and told Xerxes all that he had seen.
When Xerxes heard that, he could not comprehend the fact that the Lacedaemonians were actually, to the best of their ability, preparing to kill or be killed. What they did appeared laughable to him, so he sent for Demaratus the son of Ariston, who was in his camp.
When this man arrived, he asked him about each of these matters, wanting to understand what it was that the Lacedaemonians were doing. Demaratus said, “You have already heard about these men from me, when we were setting out for Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, but when you heard, you mocked me, although I told you how I expected things to turn out. It is my greatest aim, O King, to be truthful in your presence.
So hear me now. These men have come to fight us for the pass, and it for this that they are preparing. This is their custom: when they are about to risk their lives, they arrange their hair.
Rest assured that if you overcome these men and those remaining behind at Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, there is no one else on earth who will raise his hands to withstand you, my King. You are now attacking the fairest kingdom in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas and men who are the very best.”
What he said seemed completely incredible to Xerxes, so he then asked how they, who were so few in number, would fight against his army. Demaratus answered, “My King, take me for a liar if this does not turn out as I say.” So he spoke, but he did not persuade Xerxes.
He let four days go by, expecting them to run away at any minute. They did not leave, and it seemed to him that they stayed out of folly and lack of due respect. On the fifth day he became angry and sent the Medes and Cissians against them, bidding them take them prisoner and bring them into his presence.
The Medes bore down upon the Hellenes and attacked. Many fell, but others attacked in turn, and they made it clear to everyone, especially to the king himself, that among so many people there were few real men. The battle lasted all day.
When the Medes had been roughly handled, they retired, and the Persians whom the king called Immortals, led by Hydarnes, attacked in turn. It was thought that they would easily accomplish the task.
When they joined battle with the Hellenes, they fared neither better nor worse than the Median army, since they used shorter spears than the Hellenes and could not use their numbers fighting in a narrow space.
The Lacedaemonians fought memorably, showing themselves skilled fighters amidst unskilled on many occasions, as when they would turn their backs and feign flight. The barbarians would see them fleeing and give chase with shouting and noise, but when the Lacedaemonians were overtaken, they would turn to face the barbarians and overthrow innumerable Persians. A few of the Spartans themselves were also slain. When the Persians could gain no inch of the pass, attacking by companies and in every other fashion, they withdrew.
It is said that during these assaults in the battle the king, as he watched, jumped up three times from the throne in fear for his army. This, then, is how the fighting progressed, and on the next day the barbarians fought no better. They joined battle supposing that their enemies, being so few, were now disabled by wounds and could no longer resist.
The Hellenes, however, stood ordered in ranks by nation, and each of them fought in turn, except the Phocians, who were posted on the mountain to guard the path.For which see below, Hdt. 7.215, 216. When the Persians found nothing different from what they saw the day before, they withdrew.
The king was at a loss as to how to deal with the present difficulty. Epialtes son of Eurydemus, a Malian, thinking he would get a great reward from the king, came to speak with him and told him of the path leading over the mountain to +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae. In so doing he caused the destruction of the Hellenes remaining there.