The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [198]
4. While his comrades advanced to the fight, he was carried out of the ranks, very unwilling to die, as he showed by the words he addressed to Arimnestus, one of the Plataeans:
5. ‘I grieve,’ said he, ‘not because I have to die for my country, but because I have not lifted my arm against the enemy,
6. ‘Nor done any deed worthy of me, much as I have desired to achieve something.’
7. The Athenian who is said to have distinguished himself most was Sophanes, son of Eutychides, of the Deceleian canton.
8. Two stories are told about him: according to one, he wore an iron anchor, fastened by a bronze chain to the belt which secured his breastplate;
9. And this, when he came near the enemy, he stuck in the ground so that, when they made their charge,
10. It would be impossible for him to be driven from his post; but as soon as the enemy fled, he would pluck up his anchor and pursue them.
11. The other story is contradictory to the first, relating that Sophanes, instead of having an anchor fastened to his breastplate,
12. Bore the device of an anchor upon his shield, which he never allowed to rest, but made to run round continually.
13. Another glorious deed was likewise performed by this same Sophanes:
14. At the time when the Athenians were laying siege to Egina, he took up the challenge of Eurybates the Argive, a winner of the Pentathlum, and slew him.
Chapter 106
1. Pausanias made a proclamation that no one should take booty, instead ordering the Helots to collect it and bring it all to one place.
2. So the Helots went through the Persian camp, where they found many tents richly adorned with furniture of gold and silver,
3. Couches covered with plates of the same, and golden bowls, goblets and other drinking-vessels.
4. On the carriages were bags containing silver and golden kettles;
5. And on the bodies of the slain were bracelets and chains, and scymitars with golden ornaments;
6. Not to mention embroidered apparel, of which no one made any account.
7. The Helots at this time stole many things of much value, which they sold in after times to the Eginetans;
8. However, they brought in no small quantity, chiefly things they could not hide.
9. And this was the beginning of the great wealth of the Eginetans, who bought the gold of the Helots as if it had been mere brass.
10. When all the booty had been brought together it was divided among the soldiers, each of whom received less or more according to his deserts;
11. And in this way a distribution was made of the Persian concubines, gold, silver, beasts of burden, and all the other valuables.
12. As for Pausanias, the portion which was set apart for him consisted of ten specimens of each kind of thing: women, horses, talents, camels and whatever else there was in the spoil.
13. It is said that the following circumstance happened at this time.
14. Xerxes, when he fled from Greece, left his war tent with Mardonius. When Pausanias saw the tent with its adornments of gold and silver, and its hangings of divers colours,
15. He commanded the Persian bakers and cooks to make a banquet of the kind they had made for Mardonius.
16. Then Pausanius, beholding the couches of gold and silver daintily decked out with their rich covertures,
17. And the tables of gold and silver laid, and the feast itself prepared with all magnificence, was astonished at the good things which were set before him.
18. Then he commanded his own followers to make ready a Spartan supper.
19. When the suppers were both served, and it was apparent how vast a difference lay between the two, Pausanias laughed,
20. And sent his servants to call the Greek generals. On their coming, he pointed to the two boards, and said:
21. ‘I sent for you, O Greeks, to show you the folly of this Persian captain, who, when he enjoyed such fare as this, must needs come here to rob us of our penury.’
22. Such, it is said, were the words of Pausanias to the Grecian generals.
23. During many years afterwards, the Plataeans used often to find on the field of battle concealed treasures of gold, and silver,