wo days more, neither side wishing to
begin a battle; for the Barbarians advanced as far as the Asopos to make
trial of the Hellenes, but neither side would cross the river. However
the cavalry of Mardonios made attacks continually and did damage to the
Hellenes; for the Thebans, being very strong on the side of the Medes,
carried on the war with vigour, and always directed them up to the
moment of fighting; and after this the Persians and Medes took up the
work and were they who displayed valour in their turn.

41. For ten days then nothing more was done than this; but when the
eleventh day had come, while they still sat opposite to one another at
Plataia, the Hellenes having by this time grown much more numerous and
Mardonios being greatly vexed at the delay of action, then Mardonios the
son of Gobryas and Artabazos the son of Pharnakes, who was esteemed
by Xerxes as few of the Persians were besides, came to speech with
one another; and as they conferred, the opinions they expressed were
these,--that of Artabazos, that they must put the whole army in motion
as soon as possible and go to the walls of the Thebans, whither great
stores of corn had been brought in for them and fodder for their beasts;
and that they should settle there quietly and get their business done
as follows:--they had, he said, great quantities of gold, both coined and
uncoined, and also of silver and of drinking-cups; and these he advised
they should send about to the Hellenes without stint, more especially
to those of the Hellenes who were leaders in their several cities; and
these, he said, would speedily deliver up their freedom: and he advised
that they should not run the risk of a battle. His opinion then was the
same as that of the Thebans, 48 for he as well as they had some true
foresight: but the opinion of Mardonios was more vehement and more
obstinate, and he was by no means disposed to yield; for he said that he
thought their army far superior to that of the Hellenes, and he gave as
his opinion that they should engage battle as quickly as possible and
not allow them to assemble in still greater numbers than were already
assembled; and as for the sacrifices of Hegesistratos, they should leave
them alone and not endeavour to force a good sign, but follow the custom
of the Persians and engage battle..

42. When he so expressed his judgment, none opposed him, and thus his
opinion prevailed; for he and not Artabazos had the command of the
a