Book 7
8A.2
Ever since I came to this throne, I have considered how I might not fall short of my predecessors in this honor, and not add less power to the Persians; and my considerations persuade me that we may win not only renown, but a land neither less nor worse, and more fertile, than that which we now possess; and we would also gain vengeance and requital. For this cause I have now summoned you together, that I may impart to you what I intend to do.
8B.1
It is my intent to bridge the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont and lead my army through Europe (continent)Europe to Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, so I may punish the Athenians for what they have done to the Persians and to my father.
8B.2
You saw that Darius my father was set on making an expedition against these men. But he is dead, and it was not granted him to punish them. On his behalf and that of all the Persians, I will never rest until I have taken Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens and burnt it, for the unprovoked wrong that its people did to my father and me.
8B.3
First they came to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis with our slave Aristagoras the Milesian and burnt the groves and the temples; next, how they dealt with us when we landed on their shores, when Datis and Artaphrenes were our generals, I suppose you all know.
