Histories

But when he could not prevail upon them and learned the truth of the matter, he withdrew before Pausanias' army prior to its entering the Isthmus. First, however, he burnt Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens, and utterly overthrew and demolished whatever wall or house or temple was left standing.

The reason for his marching away was that Attica [23.5,38.83] (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Attica was not a land fit for horses, and if he should be defeated in a battle, there was no way of retreat save one so narrow that a few men could prevent his passage.[*](He would have to retreat into Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia by way of the pass over Cithaeron.) He therefore planned to retreat to Thebes [23.3333,38.325] (Perseus) Thebes and do battle where he had a friendly city at his back and ground suitable for horsemen.

So Mardonius drew his men off, and when he had now set forth on his road there came a message that in addition to the others, an advance guard of a thousand Lacedaemonians had arrived at +Megara [23.35,38] (Perseus) Megara. When he heard this, he deliberated how he might first make an end of these. He accordingly turned about and led his army against +Megara [23.35,38] (Perseus) Megara, his cavalry going first and overrunning the lands of that city. That was the westernmost place in Europe (continent)Europe which this Persian army reached.