HERODOTUS

BOOK IX. 41-43seek to wring good from them, 1 but rather givebattle after Persian custom.42. None withstood this argument, so that hisopinion prevailed for it was he and not Artabazus;who was generalissimo of the army by the king'scommission. He sent therefore for the leaders ofthe battalions and the generals of those Greeks thatwere with him, and asked them if they knew anyoracle which prophesied that the Persians shouldthat were summoned saidperish in Hellas. Theynought, some not knowing the prophecies, and someknowing them but deeming it perilous to speak ;then said Mardonius himself: "Since, therefore,you either have no knowledge or are afraid to declareit, hear what I tell you out of the full knowledgethat I have. There is an oracle that Persians arefated to come to Hellas and there all perish afterthey have plundered the temple at Delphi. We,therefore, knowing this same oracle, will neitherapproach that temple nor essay to plunder it and in;so far as destruction hangs on that, none awaits us.Wherefore asmany of you as wish the Persians wellmay rejoice for that, as knowing that we shall overcomethe Greeks." Having thus spoken he gavecommand to have all prepared and set in fair orderfor the battle that should be joined at the next day'sdawn.43. Now for this prophecy, which Mardonius saidwas 'spoken of the Persians, I know it to have beenmade concerning not them but the Illyrians and the211