The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [177]
26. The day, however, was too far spent for them to begin the battle, so they prepared to engage on the morrow.
27. The Greeks, meanwhile, were in great distress and alarm, more especially those of the Peloponnese, who were troubled that they had been kept at Salamis to fight on behalf of the Athenian territory,
28. And feared that, if they should suffer defeat, they would be besieged in an island, while their own country was left unprotected.
29. The same night the land army of the barbarians began its march towards the Peloponnese, where, however, all that was possible had been done to prevent the enemy from forcing an entrance by land.
30. As soon as news reached the Peloponnese of the death of Leonidas and his companions at Thermopylae, the inhabitants flocked together from the various cities,
31. And encamped at the Isthmus, under the command of Cleombrotus, son of Anaxandridas, and brother of Leonidas.
32. Here their first care was to block up the Scironian Way; after which it was decided to build a wall across the Isthmus.
33. The number assembled amounted to many tens of thousands, and there was not one who did not give himself eagerly to the work, bringing stones, bricks, timber and baskets filled with sand.
34. Not a moment was lost therefore, and the work was soon finished.
Chapter 81
1. The Greeks at Salamis, on the other hand, when they heard that Xerxes was marching towards the Isthmus, were greatly alarmed for the Peloponnese.
2. At first they murmured together in low voices, each with his fellow, secretly, and marvelled at the folly shown by Eurybiades;
3. But presently the smothered feeling broke out, and another assembly was held, at which the former debate was resumed,
4. One side maintaining that it was best to sail to the Peloponnese and risk battle there, instead of abiding at Salamis and fighting for a land already taken by the enemy;
5. While the other, which consisted of the Athenians, Eginetans, and Megarians, was urgent to remain and have the battle fought where they were.
6. Themistocles, when he saw that the Peloponnesians would carry the vote against him,
7. Went out secretly from the council, and, instructing a certain man in what to say, sent him on board a merchant ship to the Persian fleet.
8. This man was Sicinnus, one of Themistocles’ household slaves, who had served as tutor to his sons;
9. In after times, when the Thespians were admitting persons to citizenship, Themistocles made him a Thespian, and rich.
10. When Sicinnus reached the Persian fleet he delivered his message to the leaders in these words:
11. ‘The Athenian commander has sent me to you privily, without the knowledge of the other Greeks.
12. ‘He is a well-wisher to the king’s cause, and would rather success should attend on you than on his countrymen;
13. ‘So he bids me tell you that fear has seized the Greeks and they are meditating a hasty flight.
14. ‘Therefore it is open to you to beat them in battle if you will hinder their escaping.
15. ‘They no longer agree among themselves, so they will make little resistance – indeed, it is likely you may see a fight already begun between such as favour and such as oppose your cause.’
16. The messenger, when he had thus expressed himself, departed and was seen no more.
17. Then the Persian captains, believing what the messenger had said, proceeded to land a large body of troops on the islet of Psyttaleia, which lies between Salamis and the mainland;
18. After which, about midnight, they advanced their western wing towards Salamis, so as to enclose the Greek fleet.
19. At the same time the forces stationed near Ceos and Cynosura moved forward, and filled the whole strait as far as Munychia with their ships.
20. This advance was made to prevent the Greeks from escaping, and to keep them in Salamis, to take vengeance on them for the battles fought near Artemisium.
21. The Persian troops were landed on the islet of Psyttaleia, because, as soon as the battle began, the men and wrecks were likely to drift in that direction,