Book 8
101.2
When Artemisia came, Xerxes bade all others withdraw, both Persian councillors and guards, and said to her: “It is Mardonius' advice that I should follow here and attack the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese, for the Persians, he says, and the land army are not to blame for our disaster; of that they would willingly give proof.
101.3
Therefore he advises me to do this, or else he offers to choose three hundred thousand men of the army and deliver Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas to me enslaved, while I myself by his counsel march homeward with the rest of the host.
101.4
Now I ask of you, seeing that you correctly advised me against the late sea-fight, counsel me as to which of these two things would be best for me to do.”
102.1
When she was asked for advice, she replied: “It is difficult, O king, to answer your plea for advice by saying that which is best, but in the present turn of affairs I think it best that you march back and that Mardonius, if he so wishes and promises to do as he says, be left here with those whom he desires.
102.2
For if he subdues all that he offers to subdue and prospers in his design, the achievement, Sire, is yours since it will be your servants who have accomplished it. If, on the other hand, the issue is contrary to Mardonius' expectation, it is no great misfortune so long as you and all that household of yours are safe;
