Histories

they could take the great store they had of gold, minted and other, and silver drinking-cups, and send all this to all places in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas without stint, excepting none, but especially to the chief men in the cities of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas. Let them do this (he said) and the Greeks would quickly surrender their liberty; but do not let the Persians risk the event of a battle.

This opinion of his was the same as the Thebans, inasmuch as he too had special foreknowledge. Mardonius' counsel, however, was more vehement and intemperate and not at all leaning to moderation. He said that he thought that their army was much stronger than the Greeks and that they should give battle with all speed so as not to let more Greeks muster than were mustered already. As for the sacrifices of Hegesistratus, let them pay no heed to these, nor seek to wring good from them,[*](Lit. to do violence, compel the gods, like “superos votis fatigare” in Latin.) but rather give battle after Persian custom.