Histories

Themistocles, however, picked out the seaworthiest Athenian ships and made his way to the places where drinking water could be found. Here he engraved on the rocks words which the Ionians read on the next day when they came to +Artemisium [23.2417,39.0083] (Perseus) Artemisium. This was what the writing said: “Men of Ionia (region (general)), Europe Ionia, you do wrongly to fight against the land of your fathers and bring slavery upon Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas.

It would best for you to join yourselves to us, but if that should be impossible for you, then at least now withdraw from the war, and entreat the Carians to do the same as you. If neither of these things may be and you are fast bound by such constraint that you cannot rebel, yet we ask you not to use your full strength in the day of battle. Remember that you are our sons and that our quarrel with the barbarian was of your making in the beginning.”