The mission of Phidippides and apparition of the god Pan.
195.Then, indeed, the herald Phidippides, who was very swift of foot (lit. in running) was sent to Sparta. And, as he himself relates, the god Pan met him, and addressing Phidippides hy name, he bade him bring woid to the Athenians that they had no care for him, although he was most frendly to Athens, and already had often deserved well of them, and in the future also was likely to deserve well of them. So when the war was finished, the Athenians built a temple to Pan and appeased him with annual sacrifices.
Spartan superstition.
196.Then Phidippides on the day after the day on which he had started from Athens, came to Sparta. Having assembled the chief men he addressed them thus: ‘The Athenians beg of you to come to their assistance (lit. for an assistance to them). Do not allow the most ancient state among the Greeks to be reduced to slavery by the barbarians. For Eretria also has already been sent under the yoke, and a distinguished state has perished.’ When this was said the Spartans resolved indeed to send auxiliary troops for the Athenians, but they were unable to do this at once, since they were unwilling to act against the law. For it was the ninth day of the month. Now, they used to affirm that on the ninth day, and before the moon was full, they would not march forth.
The dream of Hippias, and other omens.
197.To Hippias, the son of Pisistratus, was vouchsafed the following vision. He seemed to himself to be conversing with his mother: from which dream he had understood he would return to Athens. Then, indeed, performing the duty of leader, he drew up the barbarians (who had) landed. While doing this it happened to him both to sneeze and cough with greater violence than he was wont. And since several of his teeth were loose, because he was now of (somewhat) advanced age, he cast out of his mouth one of his teeth, while coughing, on account of the
