Histories

The Athenian generals were of divided opinion, some advocating not fighting because they were too few to attack the army of the Medes; others, including Miltiades, advocating fighting.

Thus they were at odds, and the inferior plan prevailed. An eleventh man had a vote, chosen by lot to be polemarch[*](One of the nine archons, all chosen by lot.) of Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens, and by ancient custom the Athenians had made his vote of equal weight with the generals. Callimachus of Aphidnae was polemarch at this time. Miltiades approached him and said,

“Callimachus, it is now in your hands to enslave Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens or make her free, and thereby leave behind for all posterity a memorial such as not even Harmodius and Aristogeiton left. Now the Athenians have come to their greatest danger since they first came into being, and, if we surrender, it is clear what we will suffer when handed over to Hippias. But if the city prevails, it will take first place among Hellenic cities.

I will tell you how this can happen, and how the deciding voice on these matters has devolved upon you. The ten generals are of divided opinion, some urging to attack, others urging not to.

If we do not attack now, I expect that great strife will fall upon and shake the spirit of the Athenians, leading them to medize. But if we attack now, before anything unsound corrupts the Athenians, we can win the battle, if the gods are fair.

All this concerns and depends on you in this way: if you vote with me, your country will be free and your city the first in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas. But if you side with those eager to avoid battle, you will have the opposite to all the good things I enumerated.”