Chapter XLII

BATTLES OF PLATÆA AND MYKALE. — FINAL REPULSE OF THE PERSIANS.

The Persian fleet, after retiring from Greece, winters at Kymê,
and collects in the spring at Samos. — The Greek fleet assembles
in the spring at Ægina. — General adherence of the _medizing_
Greeks to Mardonius — revolt of Potidæa — which is besieged in
vain by Artabazus. — Mardonius, after wintering in Thessaly,
resumes operations in the spring in Bœotia. He consults the
Bœotian oracles. — Mardonius sends Alexander of Macedon to
Athens, to offer the most honorable terms of peace. — Temptation
to Athens to accept this offer — fear of the Lacedæmonians that
she would accept it — Lacedæmonian envoys sent to Athens to
prevent it. — Resolute reply of the Athenians, and determination
to carry on the war, in spite of great present suffering. —
Selfish indifference displayed by Sparta and the Peloponnesians
towards Athens. — The Spartans, having fortified the Isthmus,
leave Attica undefended: Mardonius occupies Athens a second
time. — Second migration of the Athenians to Salamis — their
bitter disappointment and anger against Sparta for deserting
them. — Second offer of Mardonius to the Athenians — again
refused — intense resolution which they display. — Remonstrance
sent by the Athenians to Sparta — ungenerous slackness of the
Spartans. — Large Spartan force collected under Pausanias at
the Isthmus. — Mardonius, after ravaging Attica, retires into
Bœotia. — Discouragement in the army of Mardonius generally:
Thersander of Orchomenus at the banquet: jealousies between
Mardonius and Artabazus, the second in command — zeal and
eagerness of the Thebans. — Numbers of the Greeks collected under
Pausanias. — March of Pausanias over Kithæron into Bœotia. — He
is attacked by the Persian cavalry under Masistius, and much
harassed — superior efficiency of the Athenians against cavalry
— Masistius is slain. — The Greeks quit the protection of the
mountain-grounds and take up a position nearer to Platæa, along
the Asôpus. — Mardonius alters his position, and posts himself
nearly opposite to the Greeks on the other side of the Asôpus. —
Unwillingness of both armies to begin the attack — the prophets
on both sides discourage first aggression. — Mardonius annoys
the Greeks with his cavalry, and cuts off their supplies in the
rear. — Impatience of Mardonius — in spite of the reluctance
of Artabazus and other officers he determines on a general
attack: he tries to show that the prophecies are favorable to
him. — His intention communicated to the Athenians in the night
by Alexander of Macedon. — Pausanias changes places in the line
between the Spartans and Athenians. — Mardonius again attacks
them with his cavalry. — In consequence of the annoyance of the
Persian cavalry, Pausanias determines to move in the night into
the Island. — Confusion of the Grecian army in executing this
night-movement. — Refusal of the Spartan lochage Amompharetus
to obey the order for the night-march. — Mistrust of Pausanias
and the Spartans, exhibited by the Athenians. — Pausanias moves
without Amompharetus, who speedily follows him. — Astonishment of
Mardonius on discovering that the Greeks had retreated during the
night — he pursues and attacks them with disorderly impatience.
— Battle of Platæa. — Great personal bravery of the Persians —
they are totally defeated, and Mardonius slain. — The Athenians
on the left wing defeat the Thebans. — Artabazus, with a large
Persian corps, abandons the contest and retires out of Greece
— the rest of the Persian army take up their position in the
fortified camp. — Small proportion of the armies on each side
which really fought. — The Greeks attack and carry the fortified
camp. — Loss on both sides. — Funeral obsequies by the Greeks —
monuments — dead body of Mardonius — distribution of booty. —
Pausanias summons Thebes, requiring the surrender of the leaders
— these men give themselves up, and are put to death. — Honors
and distinctions among the Greek warriors. — Reverential tribute
to Platæa, as the scene of the victory, and to the Platæans:
solemnities decreed to be periodically celebrated by the latter,
in honor of the slain. — Permanent Grecian confederacy decreed
by the victors, to hold meetings at Platæa. — Proceedings of the
Grecian fleet: it moves to the rescue of Samos from the Persians.
— The Persian fleet abandons Samos and retires to Mykalê in
Ionia. — Mistrust of the fidelity of the Ionians entertained by
the Persian generals. — The Greeks land to attack the Persians
ashore — revelation of the victory of Platæa, gained by their
countrymen on the same morning, springs up in their minds before
the battle. — Battle of Mykalê — revolt of the Ionians in the
Persian camp — complete defeat of the Persians. — Retirement
of the defeated Persian army to Sardis. — Reluctance of the
Spartans to adopt the continental Ionians into their alliance
— proposition to transport them across the Ægean into Western
Greece — rejected by the Athenians. — The Grecian fleet sails
to the Hellespont: the Spartans return home, but the Athenians
remain to attack the Chersonese. — Siege of Sestos — antipathy
of the Chersonesites against Artayktês. — Capture of Sestos —
crucifixion of Artayktês. — Return of the fleet to Athens.
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