Histories

Against all of these the Greeks who declared war with the foreigner entered into a sworn agreement, which was this: that if they should be victorious, they would dedicate to the god of Delphi [22.5167,38.4917] (Perseus) Delphi the possessions of all Greeks who had of free will surrendered themselves to the Persians. Such was the agreement sworn by the Greeks.

To Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens and Sparta Xerxes sent no heralds to demand earth, and this he did for the following reason. When Darius had previously sent men with this same purpose, those who made the request were cast at the one city into the Pit[*](Into which criminals condemned to death were thrown.) and at the other into a well, and bidden to obtain their earth and water for the king from these locations.

What calamity befell the Athenians for dealing in this way with the heralds I cannot say, save that their land and their city were laid waste. I think, however, that there was another reason for this, and not the aforesaid.[*](Possibly the burning of the temple at Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis (Hdt. 5.102).)