Histories

The ten thousand Persians, all wearing garlands, led the way, and after them came the mixed army of diverse nations. All that day these crossed; on the next, first crossed the horsemen and the ones who carried their spears reversed; these also wore garlands.

After them came the sacred horses and the sacred chariot, then Xerxes himself and the spearmen and the thousand horse, and after them the rest of the army. Meanwhile the ships put out and crossed to the opposite shore. But I have also heard that the king crossed last of all.

When Xerxes had passed over to Europe (continent)Europe, he viewed his army crossing under the lash. Seven days and seven nights it was in crossing, with no pause.

It is said that when Xerxes had now crossed the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont, a man of the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont cried, “O Zeus, why have you taken the likeness of a Persian man and changed your name to Xerxes, leading the whole world with you to remove Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas from its place? You could have done that without these means.”

When all had passed over and were ready for the road, a great portent appeared among them. Xerxes took no account of it, although it was easy to interpret: a mare gave birth to a hare. The meaning of it was easy to guess: Xerxes was to march his army to Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas with great pomp and pride, but to come back to the same place fleeing for his life.