The histories of Herodotus;

494 HERODOTUS—BOOK IX, CALLIOPE [9-12
are allied to the barbarians, although a strong wall has been
carried across the isthmus, wide doors leading into the Peloponnesus
are open to the Persian ; therefore give heed, before
the Athenians come to any other determination which may
bring ruin on Greece." He then gave them this advice ; and
they, taking his remark into consideration, forthwith, without
saying anything to the ambassadors who had come from the
cities, while it was still night, sent out five thousand Spartans,
appointing seven helots to attend each, and committing the
conduct of them to Pausanias, son of Cleombrotus. The command
properly belonged to Pleistarchus, son of Leonidas;
but he was still a boy, and the former his guardian and cousin.
For Cleombrotus, the father of Pausanias, and son to Anaxandrides,
was no longer living, but having led back the army
that had built the wall from the isthmus, he died shortly after-
ward. Cleombrotus led back the army from the isthmus for
this reason : as he was sacrificing against the Persians, the sun
darkened in the heavens. Pausanias chose as his colleague
Euryanax, son of Dorieus, who was a man of the same family.
These forces, accordingly, marched from Sparta with Pausanias.
The ambassadors, when they came, knowing nothing
of the march of the troops, went to the ephori, being resolved
themselves also to depart severally to their own cities ; and
having come into their presence, they spoke as follows :
" You,
O Lacedaemonians, remaining here, celebrate the Hyacinthia,
and divert yourselves, while you are betraying the allies. But
the Athenians, being injured by you, and destitute of allies,
will make peace with the Persian on such terms as they can.
And having made peace, it is evident that we shall become the
king's allies, and shall march with them against whatever
country they shall lead us ; and then you will learn what the
consequence will be to yourselves." When the ambassadors
had thus spoken, the ephori said with an oath that those who
had set out against the foreigners were already at Oresteum,
for they call the barbarians foreigners. The ambassadors
asked what was meant ; and on inquiry learned the whole
truth, so that, being much surprised, they followed after them
with all possible expedition ; and with them five thousand
chosen heavy armed troops of the neighbouring Lacedaemonians
did the same. They then hastened toward the isthmus.
But the Argives, as soon as they heard that the troops
with Pausanias had left Sparta, sent a herald to Attica, having
looked out the best of their couriers, for they had before promised
Mardonius to prevent the Spartans from going out. He,
when he arrived at Athens, spoke as follows : " Mardonius,