Histories

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.