Histories

When the Spartans asked the oracle about this war when it broke out, the Pythia had foretold that either Sparta [22.416,37.83] (inhabited place), Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Lacedaemon would be destroyed by the barbarians or their king would be killed. She gave them this answer in hexameter verses running as follows:

1. For you, inhabitants of wide-wayed Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta,
2. Either your great and glorious city must be wasted by Persian men,
3. Or if not that, then the bound of Sparta [22.416,37.83] (inhabited place), Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe Lacedaemon must mourn a dead king, from Heracles' line.
4. The might of bulls or lions will not restrain him with opposing strength; for he has the might of Zeus.
5. I declare that he will not be restrained until he utterly tears apart one of these.

Not the least proof I have of this is the fact that Leonidas publicly dismissed the seer who attended the expedition, for fear that he might die with them. This was Megistias the Acarnanian, said to be descended from Melampus, the one who told from the sacrifices what was going to happen to them. He was dismissed but did not leave; instead he sent away his only son who was also with the army.

Those allies who were dismissed went off in obedience to Leonidas, only the Thespians and Thebans remaining with the Lacedaemonians. The Thebans remained against their will and desire, for Leonidas kept them as hostages. The Thespians very gladly remained, saying they would not abandon Leonidas and those with him by leaving; instead they would stay and die with them. Their general was Demophilus son of Diadromes.