e arrival of Mardonios at Thebes, there came of them a thousand
hoplites, and their leader was Harmokydes, the man who was of most
repute among their citizens. When these too came to Thebes, Mardonios
sent horsemen and bade the Phokians take up their position by themselves
in the plain. After they had so done, forthwith the whole cavalry
appeared; and upon this there went a rumour 21 through the army of
Hellenes which was with the Medes that the cavalry was about to shoot
them down with javelins, and this same report went through the Phokians
themselves also. Then their commander Harmokydes exhorted them, speaking
as follows: "Phokians, it is manifest that these men are meaning to
deliver us to a death which we may plainly foresee, 22 because we have
been falsely accused by the Thessalians, as I conjecture: now therefore
it is right that every one of you prove himself a good man; for it is
better to bring our lives to an end doing deeds of valour and defending
ourselves, than to be destroyed by a dishonourable death offering
ourselves for the slaughter. Let each man of them learn that they
are Barbarians and that we, against whom they contrived murder, are
Hellenes.".

18. While he was thus exhorting them, the horsemen having encompassed
them round were riding towards them as if to destroy them; and they were
already aiming their missiles as if about to discharge them, nay some
perhaps did discharge them: and meanwhile the Phokians stood facing them
gathered together and with their ranks closed as much as possible every
way. Then the horsemen turned and rode away back. Now I am not able to
say for certain whether they came to destroy the Phokians at the request
of the Thessalians, and then when they saw them turn to defence they
feared lest they also might suffer some loss, and therefore rode away
back, for so Mardonios had commanded them; or whether on the other hand
he desired to make trial of them and to see if they had in them any
warlike spirit. Then, when the horsemen had ridden away back, Mardonios
sent a herald and spoke to them as follows: "Be of good courage,
Phokians, for ye proved yourselves good men, and not as I was informed.
Now therefore carry on this way with zeal, for ye will not surpass in
benefits either myself or the king." Thus far it happened as regards the
Phokians.

19. When the Lacedemonians came to the Isthmus they encamped upon it,
and hearing this the rest of the Peloponnesians who favoured