Histories

The Thessalians had at first sided with the Persians, not willingly but of necessity. This their acts revealed, because they disliked the plans of the Aleuadae; as soon as they heard that the Persian was about to cross over into Europe (continent)Europe, they sent messengers to the Isthmus, where men chosen from the cities which were best disposed towards Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas were assembled in council for the Greek cause.

To these the Thessalian messengers came and said, “Men of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, the pass of +Olympus (mountain), Nomos Larisis, Thessaly, Greece, Europe Olympus must be guarded so that +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly and all Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas may be sheltered from the war. Now we are ready to guard it with you, but you too must send a great force. If you will not send it, be assured that we will make terms with the Persian, for it is not right that we should be left to stand guard alone and so perish for your sakes.

If you will not send help, there is nothing you can do to constrain us, for no necessity can prevail over lack of ability. As for us, we will attempt to find some means of deliverance for ourselves.” These are the words of the men of +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly.

Thereupon the Greeks resolved that they would send a land army to +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly by sea to guard the pass. When the forces had assembled, they passed through the Euripus and came to Alus in +Achaea [21.75,38.25] (department), Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Achaea, where they disembarked and took the road for +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly, leaving their ships where they were. They then came to the pass of Tempe, which runs from the lower[*](As opposed to the hill country further inland.) Macedonia (region (general)), EuropeMacedonia into +Thessaly [22.25,39.5] (region), Greece, Europe Thessaly along the river Peneus, between the mountains +Olympus (mountain), Nomos Larisis, Thessaly, Greece, Europe Olympus and Ossa.