herodotus

too late for the battle, they were greatly grieved, and said that theydeserved to be punished: and being informed that the Medes withArtabazos were in flight, they pursued after them as far as Thessaly,though the Lacedemonians endeavoured to prevent them from pursuingafter fugitives.[88] Then returning back to their own country theysent the leaders of their army into exile from the land. After theMantineians came the Eleians; and they, like the Mantineians, weregreatly grieved by it and so departed home; and these also when theyhad returned sent their leaders into exile. So much of the Mantineiansand Eleians.78. At Plataia among the troops of the Eginetans was Lampon the son ofPytheas, one of the leading men of the Eginetans, who was moved to goto Pausanias with a most impious proposal, and when he had come withhaste, he said as follows: "Son of Cleombrotos, a deed has been doneby thee which is of marvellous greatness and glory, and to thee Godhas permitted by rescuing Hellas to lay up for thyself the greatestrenown of all the Hellenes about whom we have any knowledge. Do thouthen perform also that which remains to do after these things, inorder that yet greater reputation may attach to thee, and also that infuture every one of the Barbarians may beware of being the beginner ofpresumptuous deeds towards the Hellenes. For when Leonidas was slainat Thermopylai, Mardonios and Xerxes cut off his head and crucifiedhim: to him therefore do thou repay like with like, and thou shalthave praise first from all the Spartans and then secondly from theother Hellenes also; for if thou impale the body of Mardonios, thouwilt then have taken vengeance for Leonidas thy father's brother." 79.He said this thinking to give pleasure; but the other made him answerin these words: "Stranger of Egina, I admire thy friendly spirit andthy forethought for me, but thou hast failed of a good opinionnevertheless: for having exalted me on high and my family and my deed,thou didst then cast me down to nought by advising me to do outrage toa dead body, and by saying that if I do this I shall be betterreported of. These things it is more fitting for Barbarians to do thanfor Hellenes; and even with them we find fault for doing so. Howeverthat may be, I do not desire in any such manner as this to pleaseeither Eginetans or others who like such things; but it is enough forme that I should keep from unholy deeds, yea and from unholy speechalso, and so please the Spartans. As for Leonidas, whom thou biddestme avenge, I declare that he has been greatly avenged already, and bythe unnumbered lives which have been taken of these men he has beenhonoured, and not he only but also the rest who brought their lives toan end at Thermopylai. As for thee however, come not again to me withsuch a proposal, nor give me such advice; and be thankful moreoverthat thou hast no punishment for it now."