Histories

Marvelling at these words, Thersander answered: “Must you not then tell this to Mardonius and those honorable Persians who are with him?” “Sir,” said the Persian, “that which a god wills to send no man can turn aside, for even truth sometimes finds no one to believe it.

What I have said is known to many of us Persians, but we follow, in the bonds of necessity. It is the most hateful thing for a person to have much knowledge and no power.” This tale I heard from Thersander of Orkhomenos (deserted settlement), Boeotia, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, EuropeOrchomenus who told me in addition that he had straightway told this to others before the battle of Plataea [23.2667,38.2] (Perseus) Plataea.

So Mardonius was making his encampment in Boeotia (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Boeotia. All the Greeks of that region who sided with the Persians furnished fighting men, and they joined with him in his attack upon Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens, with the exception of the Phocians; as for taking the Persian side, that they did right away, though from necessity rather than willingly.