solved then, when they took counsel after the oracle was
given, to receive the Barbarian invading Hellas with their ships in full
force, following the commands of the god, in combination with those of
the Hellenes who were willing to join them.

145. These oracles had been given before to the Athenians: and when
those Hellenes who had the better mind about Hellas 131 came together to
one place, and considered their affairs and interchanged assurances with
one another, then deliberating together they thought it well first of
all things to reconcile the enmities and bring to an end the wars which
they had with one another. Now there were wars engaged 132 between
others also, and especially between the Athenians and the Eginetans.
After this, being informed that Xerxes was with his army at Sardis, they
determined to send spies to Asia to make observation of the power of
the king; and moreover they resolved to send envoys to Argos to form an
alliance against the Persian, and to send others to Sicily to Gelon
the son of Deinomenes and also to Corcyra, to urge them to come to the
assistance of Hellas, and others again to Crete; for they made it their
aim that if possible the Hellenic race might unite in one, and that they
might join all together and act towards the same end, since dangers were
threatening all the Hellenes equally. Now the power of Gelon was said to
be great, far greater than any other Hellenic power.

146. When they had thus resolved, they reconciled their enmities and
then sent first three men as spies to Asia. These having come to Sardis
and having got knowledge about the king's army, were discovered, and
after having been examined by the generals of the land-army were being
led off to die. For these men, I say, death had been determined; but
Xerxes, being informed of this, found fault with the decision of the
generals and sent some of the spearmen of his guard, enjoining them, if
they should find the spies yet alive, to bring them to his presence. So
having found them yet surviving they brought them into the presence of
the king; and upon that Xerxes, being informed for what purpose they
had come, commanded the spearmen to lead them round and to show them the
whole army both foot and horse, and when they should have had their fill
of looking at these things, to let them go unhurt to whatsoever land
they desired.

147. Such was the command which he gave, adding at the same time this
saying, namely that if