The histories of Herodotus;

388 HERODOTUS—BOOK VII, POLYMNIA [54-58
can not determine with certainty whether he dropped these
things into the sea as an offering to the sun or whether he
repented of having scourged the Hellespont, and presented
these gifts to the sea as a compensation. When these ceremonies
were finished, the infantry and all the cavalry crossed
over by that bridge which was toward the Pontus; and the
beasts of burden and attendants by that toward the JEgean.
First of all the ten thousand Persians led the van, all wearing
crowns; and after them the promiscuous host of all nations.
These crossed on that day. On the following, first the horsemen,
and those who carried their lances downward, these also
wore crowns; next came the sacred horses and the sacred
afterward Xerxes himself, and the spearmen, and the
chariot ;
thousand horsemen; after them the rest of the army closed
the march ; and at the same time the ships got under way
to the opposite shore. I have also heard that Xerxes crossed
over last of all. Xerxes, when he had crossed over into Europe,
saw the army crossing over under the lash : his army
crossed over in seven days and seven nights without halting
at all. On this occasion it is related that when Xerxes had
crossed over the Hellespont, a certain Hellespontine said : " O
Jupiter, why, assuming the form of a Persian, and taking the
name of Xerxes, do you wish to subvert Greece, bringing
all mankind with you? since without them it was in your
power to do this."
When all had crossed over, and were proceeding on their
march, a great prodigy appeared to them, which Xerxes took
no account of, although it was easy to be interpreted. A mare
foaled a hare: this, then, might easily have been interpreted
thus, that Xerxes was about to lead an army into Greece with
exceeding pomp and magnificence, but would return to the
same place running for his life. Another prodigy had also
happened while he was at Sardis ; a mule brought forth a colt,
with double parts, both those of a male and those of a female
those of the male were uppermost. But taking no account
of either of these, he proceeded forward, and with him the land
forces. But the fleet, sailing out of the Hellespont, stood along
by the land, taking a contrary course to that of the army. For
it sailed toward the west, steering for Cape Sarpedon, where,
on its arrival, it was ordered to wait : but the army on the continent
marched toward the east and the rising sun, through
the Chersonese, having on the right hand the sepulchre of
Helle, daughter of Athamas, and on the left the city of Cardia,
and going through the middle of a city, the name of which
happened to be Agora: and from thence, bending round a
;