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3. The Greeks who gained the greatest glory in the battle of Salamis were the Eginetans, and after them the Athenians.

4. The individuals of most distinction were Polycritus the Eginetan, and two Athenians, Eumenes of Anagyrus and Ameinias of Palline; the latter of whom had pressed Artemisia so hard.

5. If he had known that the vessel carried Artemisia, he would never have given up the chase until he had either taken her, or else been taken himself.

6. For a reward of ten thousand drachmas had been offered to anyone who should make her prisoner.

7. The Athenians say that Adeimantus, the Corinthian commander, at the moment when the two fleets joined battle, was seized with fear,

8. And spread his sails, and hastened to escape; on which the other Corinthians, seeing their leader’s ship in flight, followed it.

9. They had not gone far when a bark drew near to their ships and its occupants called out, saying,

10. ‘Adeimantus, while you play a traitor’s part, by withdrawing all these ships, and flying away from the fight,

11. ‘The Greeks you have deserted are defeating their foes as completely as they ever wished.’

12. Adeimantus would not believe what the men said; whereupon they told him he might take them with him as hostages, and put them to death if he did not find the Greeks winning.

13. Then Adeimantus put about, both he and those who were with him; and they rejoined the fleet when the victory was already gained.

14. Such is the tale that the Athenians tell concerning Corinthians; these latter however do not allow its truth.

15. On the contrary, they declare that they were among those who distinguished themselves most in the fighting. And the rest of Greece bears witness in their favour.

16. But these disputes in after-time arose because Salamis was a famous victory, which saved Greece, and thereby Europe and the future of its civilisation.

Chapter 84

1. Xerxes, when he saw the extent of his defeat, began to be afraid lest the Greeks might sail straight to the Hellespont,

2. And break down the bridges there, in which case he would be trapped in Europe, at great risk of perishing.

3. He therefore decided to fly; but, as he wished to hide his purpose alike from the Greeks and his own people,

4. He set to work to carry a mound across the channel to Salamis, and at the same time began fastening a number of Phoenician merchant ships together, to serve as both a bridge and a wall.

5. He made many other warlike preparations, as if he were about to engage the Greeks again at sea.

6. Now, when these things were seen, all grew fully persuaded that the king was bent on remaining, and intended to push the war in good earnest.

7. Mardonius, however, was not deceived; for long acquaintance enabled him to read all the king’s thoughts.

8. Meanwhile, Xerxes, though engaged in this way, sent off a messenger to carry intelligence of his misfortune to Persia.

9. Persian messengers travelled very fast. The entire plan is a Persian invention; and this is the method of it:

10. Along the whole line of road there are men stationed with horses, equal in number to the number of days that the journey takes, allowing one man and horse to each day.

11. These men will not be hindered from accomplishing at their best speed the distance they have to go, either by snow, rain or heat, or by the darkness of night.

12. The first rider delivers his dispatch to the second and the second to the third;

13. And so it is borne from hand to hand along the whole line, like the light in the torch-race. The Persians give this riding the name of ‘Angarum’.

14. At Susa, on the arrival of the first message, which said that Xerxes was master of Athens, such was the delight of the Persians who had remained behind,

15. That they strewed the streets with myrtle boughs, and burnt incense, and fell to feasting and merriment.

16. When the second message reached them concerning Salamis, so great was their dismay that they all rent their garments, and cried aloud, and