Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XI - The Library of History



Page 234 and considered all things relating to the present Affair, landed their Forces. The next Day, when all things were ready for the Onset, a Rumor was on a suddain spread in the Army, that the Grecians had overcome the Persians at Platea. Upon which, Leotychidas and his Collegues drew up the Army in a Body, incouraging them to fight, making use of several Arguments to that purpose, and withall singing among them Songs of the Victory at Platea, thereby the more to stir up and inflame their Spirits to the present Encounter. But the Circumstances of Affairs were then very remarkable; for it's certain both Armies fought on one and the same Day; the one at Mycale, and the other at Platea. Therefore since Leotychidas could not then know any thing of the Victory at Platea, we may conclude that this Report was a Stratagem invented by him on purpose; especially considering the great distance of Places, the News could not possibly arrive in so short a time. But the Persians, now no longer confiding in the Grecians, took away their Arms, and deliver'd them to their Confederates, and encouraged their Souldiers, telling them, that Xerxes was at hand with a great Army for their Assistance, whereby they rais'd up their Spirits.

Both Armies being now drawn up in Batalia, and advancing one towards the other, when the Persians saw the inconsiderable Number of the Grecians, they despised them, and forthwith charged upon them with a great shout. In the mean time the Samians and Milesians, determin'd to assist the Grecians, with all the strength they could make, and to that end with a swift March made towards the Enemy. And the Ionians conceiv'd that when they came in sight of the Grecians, they would be thereby more incouraged, which fell out otherwise; for those with Leotychidas being seis'd with a pannick Fear, upon the apprehension and suspition that Xerxes, was at hand with all his Forces from Sardis, there was nothing but Confusion and Distraction, through various Surmises and Opinions amongst them. Some were for retiring forthwith to their Ships, others were for standing their Ground, and fighting valiantly to the last Man. Whilst they were in this Terror Disorder and Confusion, the Persian Army advanced in order of Battel, and in a terrible manner with great shouts fell in upon the Grecians, who were forc'd to receive the Charge, having now no time left for further Consultations. The Battel being now join'd, great Courage, and Resolution was shewn on all hands, and a long time the Fortune of the Day was doubtful, and many fell on both sides. But as soon as the Samian and Milesian Armies appear'd, the Courage of the Grecians was reviv'd, and the Persians so flag'd and fail'd that they forthwith fled, and were pursu'd with a very great Slaughter; for the Souldiers of Leotychidas and Xanthippus follow'd them close at their Heels, to their very Tents. In the mean time the Aeolians and many other of the Inhabitants of Asia, came in to the assistance of the Grecians though then almost Conquerours: For a general and ardent desire of Liberty possess'd all the Asian Cities, and therefore many neither regarded Leagues made, or Hostages given, but together with the other Grecians with the same Rage hew'd down and slew the flying Persians. And thus the Persians, were routed and dispers'd with the slaughter of Forty Thousand Men; of the rest some of them escap'd to their Camp, and others fled to Sardis.

Xerxes being inform'd both of the Slaughter of his Men at Platea, and of the routing of his Army at Mycale, leaving part of his Forces to carry on the War, in a great Fright fled with the rest to Ecbatana.

When all was over, Leotychidas and Xanthippus sail'd back to Samos, and then receiv'd the Ionians and Aeolians as their Confederates in the War. And some time after used many persuasive Arguments to them, to leave Asia, and come over into Europe, promising them to bestow upon them the Estates of all those that had confederated themselves with the Persians. For if they continued in Asia, they would be in continual Alarms by Enemies that far excell'd them in strength, and that were near to them; and that their Friends by reason of the distance by Sea, could not be assistant to them so opportunely, and at such Seasons as their Necessity might require. Upon which Promises the Ionians, and Aeolians were persuaded, and in observance of the Grecians Desires, prepar'd themselves to take Shipping for Europe. But the Athenians afterwards changing their Minds, now persuaded them to remain where they were, and faithfully promis'd that though now if the rest of Greece should assist them, yet that they would from time to time, send them aid, as being they who were only oblig'd so to do, by reason


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