While these worked at their appointed task, all the land force had been mustered and was marching with Xerxes to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, setting forth from Critalla in +Cappadocia [36,38.5] (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Cappadocia, which was the place appointed for gathering all the army that was to march with Xerxes himself by land.

Now which of his governors received the promised gifts from the king for bringing the best-equipped army, I cannot say; I do not even know if the matter was ever determined.

When they had crossed the river Halys River (river), Turkey, Asia Halys and entered Phrygia (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Phrygia, they marched through that country to Celaenae,This implies a considerable divergence to the south from the “Royal road,” for which see Hdt. 5.52. Xerxes here turns south to avoid the difficult route through the Hermes valley, probably; cp. How and Wells, ad loc. where rises the source of the river +Buyukmenderes Nehri [27.183,37.466] (river), Turkey, Asia Maeander and of another river no smaller, which is called Cataractes; it rises right in the market-place of Celaenae and issues into the +Buyukmenderes Nehri [27.183,37.466] (river), Turkey, Asia Maeander. The skin of Marsyas the Silenus also hangs there; the Phrygian story tells that it was flayed off him and hung up by Apollo.The legend of the contest between Marsyas the flute-player and Apollo the lyre-player seems to indicate a change in the national music, the importance of which was more easily understood by a Greek than it is by us.