of the army, proceeding with Xerxes himself
against Athens, entered the land of the Boeotians, coming into the
territory of Orchomenos. Now the general body of the Boeotians was
taking the side of the Medes, and their cities were being kept by
Macedonians appointed for each, who had been sent by Alexander; and they
were keeping them this aim, namely in order to make it plain to Xerxes
that the Boeotians were disposed to be on the side of the Medes.

35. These, I say, of the Barbarians took their way in this direction;
but others of them with guides had set forth to go to the temple at
Delphi, keeping Parnassos on their right hand: and all the parts of
Phokis over which these marched they ravaged; for they set fire to
the towns of Panopeus and Daulis and Aiolis. And for this reason they
marched in that direction, parted off from the rest of the army, namely
in order that they might plunder the temple at Delphi and deliver over
the treasures there to king Xerxes: and Xerxes was well acquainted with
all that there was in it of any account, better, I am told, than with
the things which he had left in his own house at home, seeing that many
constantly reported of them, and especially of the votive offerings of
Croesus the son of Alyattes.

36. Meanwhile the Delphians, having been informed of this, had been
brought to extreme fear; and being in great terror they consulted the
Oracle about the sacred things, whether they should bury them in the
earth or carry them forth to another land; but the god forbade them to
meddle with these, saying that he was able by himself to take care of
his own. Hearing this they began to take thought for themselves, and
they sent their children and women over to Achaia on the other side
of the sea, while most of the men themselves ascended up towards the
summits of Parnassos and carried their property to the Corykian cave,
while others departed for refuge to Amphissa of the Locrians. In short
the Delphians had all left the town excepting sixty men and the prophet
of the Oracle. 22

37. When the Barbarians had come near and could see the temple, then the
prophet, whose name was Akeratos, saw before the cell 23 arms lying
laid out, having been brought forth out of the sanctuary, 24 which were
sacred and on which it was not permitted to any man to lay hands. He
then was going to announce the portent to those of the Delphians who
were stil there, but when the Barbarians pressing onwards came oppos