Histories

Know this now, if you knew it not before, that as long as one Athenian is left alive we will make no agreement with Xerxes. Nevertheless we thank you for your forethought concerning us, in that you have so provided for our wasted state that you offer to nourish our households.

For your part, you have given us full measure of kindness, yet for ourselves, we will make shift to endure as best we may, and not be burdensome to you. But now, seeing that this is so, send your army with all speed,

for as we guess, the barbarian will be upon us and invade our country in no long time as soon as the message comes to him that we will do nothing that he requires of us; therefore, before he comes into Attica [23.5,38.83] (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Attica, now is the time for us to march first into Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia.” At this reply of the Athenians the envoys returned back to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta.

When Alexander returned and told him what he had heard from the Athenians, Mardonius set forth from +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly and led his army with all zeal against Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens;[*](In the summer of 479. Mardonius occupied Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens in July.) he also took with him all the people to whose countries he came along the way. The rulers of +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly did not repent of what they had already done and were readier than before to further his march. Thorax of Larissa, who had given Xerxes safe-conduct in his flight, now, without any attempt of concealment, opened a passage for Mardonius into Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas.

But when, in the course of its march, the army had come into Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia, the Thebans attempted to stay Mardonius, advising him that he could find no country better fitted than theirs for encampment; he should not (they begged) go further, but rather halt there and subdue all Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas without fighting.