the better
cause, and some also because they saw the Spartans going out, did not
think it right to be behind the Lacedemonians in their going forth.
So from the Isthmus, when the sacrifices had proved favourable,
they marched all together and came to Eleusis; and having performed
sacrifices there also, when the signs were favourable they marched
onwards, and the Athenians together with them, who had passed over
from Salamis and had joined them at Eleusis. And then they had come to
Erythrai in Boeotia, then they learnt that the Barbarians were encamping
on the Asopos, and having perceived this they ranged themselves over
against them on the lower slopes of Kithairon..

20. Then Mardonios, as the Hellenes did not descend into the plain, sent
towards them all his cavalry, of which the commander was Masistios (by
the Hellenes called Makistios), a man of reputation among the Persians,
who had a Nesaian horse with a bridle of gold and in other respects
finely caparisoned. So when the horsemen had ridden up to the Hellenes
they attacked them by squadrons, and attacking 23 they did them much
mischief, and moreover in contempt they called them women..

21. Now it happened by chance that the Megarians were posted in the
place which was the most assailable of the whole position and to which
the cavalry could best approach: so as the cavalry were making
their attacks, the Megarians being hard pressed sent a herald to the
commanders of the Hellenes, and the herald having come spoke these
words: "The Megarians say:--we, O allies, are not able by ourselves to
sustain the attacks of the Persian cavalry, keeping this position where
we took post at the first; nay, even hitherto by endurance and valour
alone have we held out against them, hard pressed as we are: and now
unless ye shall send some others to take up our position in succession
to us, know that we shall leave the position in which we now are." The
herald brought report to them thus; and upon this Pausanias made trial
of the Hellenes, whether any others would voluntarily offer to go to
this place and post themselves there in succession to the Megarians: and
when the rest were not desirous to go, the Athenians undertook the task,
and of the Athenians those three hundred picked men of whom Olympidoros
the son of Lampon was captain.

22. These they were who undertook the task and were posted at Erythrai
in advance of the other Hellenes who ere there present, having chosen
to g