Histories

After he arrived in Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, he first sent heralds to Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas to demand earth and water and to command the preparation of meals for the king. He sent demands for earth everywhere except to Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens and Sparta [22.416,37.83] (inhabited place), Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Lacedaemon. The reason for his sending for earth and water the second time was this: he fully believed that whoever had not previously given it to Darius' messengers would now be compelled to give by fear; so he sent out of desire to know this for certain.

After this he prepared to march to Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, AsiaAbydos; meanwhile his men were bridging the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont from Asia (continent)Asia to Europe (continent)Europe. On the Gelibolu Yarimadasi (peninsula), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, AsiaChersonese, which is on the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont, between the city of Sestos [26.4,40.2833] (Perseus)Sestus and Madytos [26.3667,40.2] (Perseus)Madytus there is a broad headland[*](Between the modern bays of Zemenik ( +Sestos [26.4,40.2833] (Perseus) Sestos) and Kilia: some four miles broad.) running out into the sea opposite Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, AsiaAbydos. It was here that not long afterwards the Athenians, when Xanthippus son of Ariphron was their general, took Artayctes, a Persian and the governor of Sestos [26.4,40.2833] (Perseus)Sestus, and crucified him alive; he had been in the habit of bringing women right into the temple of Protesilaus at Elaeus and doing impious deeds there.

The men who had been given this assignment made bridges starting from Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, AsiaAbydos across to that headland; the Phoenicians one of flaxen cables, and the Egyptians a papyrus one. From Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Abydos to the opposite shore it is a distance of seven stadia.[*](The modern width at the narrowest part is nearly half as much again; perhaps this can be explained by the washing away of the coasts, because of a current which strikes them near +Sestos [26.4,40.2833] (Perseus) Sestos and rebounds on Abydus [26.416,40.2] (deserted settlement), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Abydos.) But no sooner had the strait been bridged than a great storm swept down, breaking and scattering everything.