them to tell the Lacaemonians that all the treasure on earth or
under it was of less value with the people of Athens than the liberty of
Greece. And, showing the sun to those who came from Mardonius, "as long
as that retains the same course, so long," said he, "shall the citizens
of Athens wage war with the Persians for the country which has been
wasted, and the temples that have been profaned and burnt by them."
Moreover, he proposed a decree, that the priests should anathematize him
who sent any herald to the Medes, or deserted the alliance of Greece.

When Mardonius made a second incursion into the country of Attica, the
people passed over again into the isle of Salamis. Aristides himself
went to Lacedaemon, and reproved them for the delay and neglect in
abandoning Athens once more to the barbarians; and demanded their
assistance for that part of Greece which was not yet lost. The Ephori,
hearing this, made show of sporting all day, and of carelessly keeping
holy day (for they were then celebrating the Hyacinthian festival),
but in the night, selecting five thousand Spartans, each of whom was
attended by seven Helots, they sent them forth unknown to those from
Athens. And when Aristides again reprehended them, they told him in
derision that he either doted or dreamed, for the army was already
at Oresteum, in their march towards the strangers; as they called the
Persians. Aristides answered that they jested unreasonably, deluding
their friends, instead of their enemies.

Being chosen general for the war, he repaired to Plataea, with eight
thousand Athenians, where Pausanias, generalissimo of all Greece,
joined him with the Spartans; and the forces of the other Greeks came in
to them. The encampment of the barbarians extended all along the bank of
the river Asopus, their numbers being so great, there was no enclosing
them all, but their baggage and most valuable things were surrounded
with a square bulwark, each side of which was the length of ten
furlongs.

The Tegeatans, contesting the post of honor with the Athenians,
demanded, that according to custom, the Lacedaemonians being ranged on
the right wing of the battle, they might have the left, alleging
several matters in commendation of their ancestors. The Athenians being
indignant at the claim, Aristides came forward and said: "To contend
with the Tegeatans for noble descent and valor, the present time permits
not: but this we say to you, O you Spartans, and you