When Xerxes heard that, he was as glad and joyful as a man in his situation might be and said to Mardonius that he would answer him after deliberating which of the two plans he would follow. When he consulted with those Persians whom he summoned, he resolved to send for Artemisia as well, because he saw that she alone at the former sitting had discerned what was best to do.

When Artemisia came, Xerxes bade all others withdraw, both Persian councillors and guards, and said to her: “It is Mardonius' advice that I should follow here and attack the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese, for the Persians, he says, and the land army are not to blame for our disaster; of that they would willingly give proof.

Therefore he advises me to do this, or else he offers to choose three hundred thousand men of the army and deliver Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas to me enslaved, while I myself by his counsel march homeward with the rest of the host.

Now I ask of you, seeing that you correctly advised me against the late sea-fight, counsel me as to which of these two things would be best for me to do.”