Page:History of Greece Vol V.djvu/15

CONTENTS. yu the defile of Temp6 against Xerxes. — On arriving, they find that it cannot be successfully held against him. and retire. — Consequences of this retreat — the Thessalians, and nearly all Hellas north of Ivithteron, cither submit to Xerxes or waver 45-70 CHAPTER XL. BATTLES OF THERilOPTL^ AXD AUTESIISIUM. Engagement taken by the Confederate Greeks against snch Greeks as joined the Persians. — Resolution taken to defend Thermopylae as well as the adjoining strait of Eubaa. — Pass of Thermopylaj and its neighborhood. The Greeks take post at Thermopylte — Leonidas, king of Sparta, con- ducts the force thither — the combined fleet under Eurybiades occupy the Euboean strait. — Xumbers and composition of the force of Leonidas. — Phocians andLokiians. — Olympian and Kameian festivals — the Greeks could not bring themselves to postpone these, even under such imminent danger. — Path over Mount CEta by which Thermopyl£e might be evaded — Leonidas first informed of it on reaching the spot — the Phocians engage to defend it. — Xumbers and composition of the Greek fleet at Artemisium. — Three triremes of the Grecian fleet sent forward as scouts — their fii-st encounter mth the Persian fleet. — Captui-e of these three triremes — panic of the general Grecian fleet, who abandon Artemisium, and retire to Chalkis. — Imminent danger of the Greek scheme of de- fence — they are rescued by a terrific storm. — Movements of Xerxes from Therma. — He arrives with his army in the Malian temtory, close upon the pass of Thei-mopylte. — Advance of the Persian fleet — it is overtaken by a destructive storm and hunicane on the coast of Magnesia. — Lnmense damage inflicted upon it by the stonn. — Encouragement occasioned to the Greek fleet — they return from Chalkis to Ai-temisium. — Delay of Xerxes with his land-force near Trachis. — Impressions of Xerxes about the defenders at Thermopylffl — conversation -with Dema- ratus, whom he will not believe. — Doubts about the motives ascribed by Herodotus to Xerxes. — First attack upon ThennopylK — made by the Median troops — repulsed. — Repeated attacks, by the best troops in the Persian ai-my, all repulsed with slaughter. — Emban-assment of Xei"xes — he is relieved from it by hearing of the path over the mountain. — A Persian detachment under Hydames march over the mountain-path, driving away the Phocian guard. — They arrive in the rear of Leonidas. — Debate among the defenders of Thermopylte, when it became kno-svn that the Persians were approaching theii- rear. — Resolution of Leonidas to stay and die in the pass. — The three hundred Spartans, together with the Thespians, remain with Leonidas : the rest of the detachment retire. — Doubts about the Theban contingent. — Last exploits and death of Leonidas and his band. — Individuals among them distinguished — scorn exhibited towards Aristodemus who did not fight. — Fate of the Theban contingent. — Impressions of Xerxes after the combat — advice given to him by Demaratus — he rejects it. — Proceedings of the two fleets, at Arte- mismm and Aphetse — alarm among the Grecian fleet — Themistokles determines them to stay and fight, at tlie urgent instance of the Euboeans. — Important service thus rendered by Themistokles. — Confident hopes %f the Persian fleet — they detach a squadron to sail round Eubcea, and