Histories

Why is it so necessary for you to risk everything by fighting at sea? Do you not possess Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens, for which you set out on this march, and do you not have the rest of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas? No one stands in your way. Those who opposed you have received what they deserved.

I will tell you how I think the affairs of your enemies will turn out: If you do not hurry to fight at sea, but keep your ships here and stay near land, or even advance into the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese, then, my lord, you will easily accomplish what you had in mind on coming here.

The Hellenes are not able to hold out against you for a long time, but you will scatter them, and they will each flee to their own cities. I have learned that they have no food on this island, and it is not likely, if you lead your army against the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese, that those of them who have come from there will sit still, nor will they care to fight at sea for Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens.

But if you hurry to fight at sea immediately, I fear that your fleet if reduced to cowardice may also injure your army on land. In addition, my King, take this to heart: Good people's slaves tend to be base, and the slaves of the base tend to be good. You, who are best among men, have base slaves, who are accounted your allies, the Egyptians and Cyprians and Cilicians and Pamphylians, who are of no use at all.’”

When she said this to Mardonius, all who were well disposed towards Artemisia lamented her words, thinking she would suffer some ill from the king because she advised against fighting at sea. Those who were jealous and envied her, because she was given honor among the chief of all the allies, were glad at her answer, thinking she would be killed.

But when the counsels were reported to Xerxes, he was greatly pleased by Artemisia's opinion. Even before this he had considered her of excellent character, and now he praised her much more highly. Still he ordered that the majority be obeyed, for he believed that at +Euboea [23.833,38.566] (island), Nomos Evvoias, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Euboea they had purposely fought badly because he was not there. This time he had made preparations to see the battle in person.