Chapter XL: Battles of Thermopylæ and Artemisium

Engagement taken by the Confederate Greeks against such Greeks
as joined the Persians. — Resolution taken to defend Thermopylæ
as well as the adjoining strait of Eubœa. — Pass of Thermopylæ
and its neighborhood. — The Greeks take post at Thermopylæ —
Leonidas, king of Sparta, conducts the force thither — the
combined fleet under Eurybiadês occupy the Eubœan strait. —
Numbers and composition of the force of Leonidas. — Phocians
and Lokrians. — Olympian and Karneian festivals — the Greeks
could not bring themselves to postpone these, even under such
imminent danger. — Path over Mount Œta by which Thermopylæ might
be evaded — Leonidas first informed of it on reaching the spot —
the Phocians engage to defend it. — Numbers and composition of
the Greek fleet at Artemisium. — Three triremes of the Grecian
fleet sent forward as scouts — their first encounter with the
Persian fleet. — Capture of these three triremes — panic of
the general Grecian fleet, who abandon Artemisium, and retire
to Chalkis. — Imminent danger of the Greek scheme of defence —
they are rescued by a terrific storm. — Movements of Xerxes from
Therma. — He arrives with his army in the Malian territory, close
upon the pass of Thermopylæ. — Advance of the Persian fleet — it
is overtaken by a destructive storm and hurricane on the coast
of Magnesia. — Immense damage inflicted upon it by the storm. —
Encouragement occasioned to the Greek fleet — they return from
Chalkis to Artemisium. — Delay of Xerxes with his land-force
near Trachis. — Impressions of Xerxes about the defenders at
Thermopylæ — conversation with Demaratus, whom he will not
believe. — Doubts about the motives ascribed by Herodotus to
Xerxes. — First attack upon Thermopylæ — made by the Median
troops — repulsed. — Repeated attacks, by the best troops in the
Persian army, all repulsed with slaughter. — Embarrassment of
Xerxes — he is relieved from it by hearing of the path over the
mountain. — A Persian detachment under Hydarnês march over the
mountain-path, driving away the Phocian guard. — They arrive in
the rear of Leonidas. — Debate among the defenders of Thermopylæ,
when it became known that the Persians were approaching their
rear. — Resolution of Leonidas to stay and die in the pass. — The
three hundred Spartans, together with the Thespians, remain with
Leonidas: the rest of the detachment retire. — Doubts about the
Theban contingent. — Last exploits and death of Leonidas and his
band. — Individuals among them distinguished — scorn exhibited
towards Aristodêmus who did not fight. — Fate of the Theban
contingent. — Impressions of Xerxes after the combat — advice
given to him by Demaratus — he rejects it. — Proceedings of the
two fleets, at Artemisium and Aphetæ — alarm among the Grecian
fleet — Themistoklês determines them to stay and fight, at the
urgent instance of the Eubœans. — Important service thus rendered
by Themistoklês. — Confident hopes of the Persian fleet — they
detach a squadron to sail round Eubœa, and take the Greeks in
the rear. — Sea-fight of Artemisium — advantage gained by the
Greeks. — Second storm — increased damage to the Persian fleet,
and ruin to the detachment sent round Eubœa. — Renewed sea-fight
off Artemisium — indecisive — but the Greek fleet resolves to
retreat. — They retreat immediately on hearing of the disaster
at Thermopylæ — they go to Salamis. — Advance of the Persian
fleet to Eubœa — manœuvres ascribed to Xerxes in respect of the
dead bodies at Thermopylæ — Numbers of dead on both sides. —
Subsequent commemorating inscriptions. — Impressive epigram of
Simonides.
70-104