Histories

From DoriscusXerxes went on his way towards Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, compelling all that he met to go with his army. As I have shown earlier, all the country as far as +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly had been enslaved and was tributary to the king, by the conquests of Megabazus and Mardonius after him.

On his road from Doriscus he first passed the Samothracian fortresses;[*](Erected doubtless by the Samothracians to protect their possessions on the mainland.) of these, the city built farthest to the west is called Mesambria. Next to it is the Thasian city of +Stryme [25.6167,40.8833] (Perseus) Stryme; between them runs the river Lisus, which now could not furnish water enough for Xerxes' army, but was exhausted.

All this region was once called Gallaic, but it is now called Briantic; however, by rights it also belongs to the Ciconians.

After he had crossed the dried-up bed of the river Lisus, he passed by the Greek cities of Maronea, Dicaea, and +Abdera [24.9667,40.9833] (Perseus) Abdera. He passed by these, and along certain well-known lakes near them: the Ismarid lake that lies between Maronea and +Stryme [25.6167,40.8833] (Perseus) Stryme, and near Dicaea the Bistonian lake, into which the rivers Travus and Compsantus discharge. Near Abdera Xerxes passed no well-known lake, but crossed the river Nestus where it flows into the sea.

From these regions he passed by the cities of the mainland, one of which has near it a lake of about thirty stadia in circuit, full of fish and very salty; this was drained dry by watering the beasts of burden alone. This city is called Pistyrus.