Histories

When those stationed with Xerxes' fleet had been to see the Laconian disaster at +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae, they crossed over from +Trachis [22.55,38.8] (Perseus) Trachis to Histiaea, waited three days, and then sailed through the Euripus, and in three more days they were at Phalerum, the port of Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens. I think no less a number invaded Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens by land and sea than came to Sepias and +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae.

Those killed by the storm, at +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae, and in the naval battles at +Artemisium [23.2417,39.0083] (Perseus) Artemisium, I offset with those who did not yet follow the king: the Melians and Dorians and Locrians and the whole force of Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia except the Thespians and Plataeans; and the Carystians and Andrians and Teneans and all the rest of the islanders, except the five cities whose names I previously mentioned. The farther into Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas the Persian advanced, the more nations followed him.

All these came to Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens except the Parians. The Parians stayed behind in Cythnus watching to see which way the war turned out. When the rest of them reached Phalerum, Xerxes himself went down to the ships, wishing to mix with the sailors and hear their opinions.

He came and sat on his throne, and present at his summons were the tyrants of all the peoples and the company leaders from the fleet. They sat according to the honor which the king had granted each of them, first the king of +Sidon [35.366,33.55] (inhabited place), Al-Janub, Lebanon, Asia Sidon, then the king of +Tyre [35.183,33.266] (inhabited place), Al-Janub, Lebanon, Asia Tyre, then the rest. When they sat in order one after another, Xerxes sent Mardonius to test each by asking if they should fight at sea.

Mardonius went about questioning them, starting with the Sidonian, and all the others were unanimous, advising to fight at sea, but Artemisia said,

“Tell the king, Mardonius, that I, who neither was most cowardly in the sea battles off +Euboea [23.833,38.566] (island), Nomos Evvoias, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Euboea nor performed the least feats of arms, say this: ‘Master, it is just for me to declare my real opinion, what I consider to be best for your cause. And I say to you this: spare your ships, and do not fight at sea. Their men are as much stronger than your men by sea as men are stronger than women.