in the open field, instead of waiting for them within the walls of the city.* 13. Milti'ades, sensible of the inferiority of his numbers when compared to those of the enemy, endeavoured to make up for this defect by taking possession of an advantageous ground. He therefore drew up his army at the foot of a mountain, so that the enemy should not be able to surround him, or charge him in the rear. At the same time he fortified his flanks with a number of large trees that were cut down for the purpose. 14. Da'tis saw the advantage which the Athenians must derive from this masterly disposition; but, relying on the superiority of his numbers, and unwilling to wait till the Spartan succours should arrive, he resolved to begin the engagement. 15. The signal for battle, however, was no sooner given, than the Athenians, instead of waiting for the onset of the enemy, rushed in upon them, according to their usual custom, with irresistible fury. 16. The Persians regarded this as the result of madness and despair, rather than of deliberate courage; but they were soon convinced of their mistake, when they found that the Athenians maintained the charge with the same spirit with which they had begun it 17. Milti'ades had purposely and judiciously made his wings much stronger than his centre, which was commanded by Themis'tocles and Aristi'des. 18. The Persians, availing themselves of this circumstance, attacked the centre with great bravery, and were just upon the point of making it give way, when the two wings having now become victorious, suddenly wheeled about, and falling upon the enemy on both flanks at once, threw them into disorder. 19. The * This determination was highly pleasing to Milti'ades, who preferred trusting to the well-known and tried valour of his countrymen in the field, to enduring the horrors of a siege within the walls of a crowded city. This was near the village of Marathon, about ten miles from Athens. rout now became universal, and they fled to their ships with great precipitation. The Athenians pursued them as far as the beach, and even set several of their ships on fire. 20. It was on this occasion that Cynægi'rus, the brother of the poet Æs'chylus, seized one of the enemy's ships with his right hand, as they were pushing it off from the shore. When his right hand was cut off, he laid hold of the vessel with his left; and that likewise being lopt off, he at last seized it with his teeth, and in that manner expired.* 21. Seven of the enemy's ships were taken, and above six thousand men left dead upon the field of battle, not to mention those who were drowned as they were endeavouring to escape, or were consumed in the ships that were set on fire. 22. Of the Greeks there fell not above two hundred, and among these was Calim'achus, who gave the casting vote for fighting the enemy in the field. Hip'pias, 3514. S who was the chief cause of the war, is thought to have perished in this battle, though some say he escaped, and afterwards died miserably at Lem'nos.† } 23. Such was the famous battle of Mar'athon, one of the most important that is to be found in history, as it first taught the Greeks to despise the power of the Persian monarch, bravely to maintain their independence, and to go on cultivating those arts and sciences which had so evident a tendency to polish and refine their own manners, and which have since diffused their benign influence over all the rest of Europe.t * The Athenians received the first news of this important victory from a soldier, who, though wounded, ran to Athens to announce the joyful event. On his arrival he could merely exclaim, "Rejoice, rejoice, the victory is ours?" and immediately expired. + Now Stalimene, an island in the Archipelago. Immediately after the full moon, the Lacedæmoʻnians began their march, and proceeded with such expedition, that, in three days, they completed a journey of one hundred and fifty miles. Notwithstanding this astonishing celerity, however, they arrived too late to share in the glory of a victory which had delivered Greece from the most imminent 24. Of the marble which the Persians had brought with them for the erection of a monument to perpetuate the memory of their expected victory, the Athenians now caused a statue to be made by the celebrated sculptor Phidias, to transmit to posterity the remembrance of their defeat. This statue was dedicated to the goddess Nem'esis, who had a temple near the place. 25. Monuments were at the same time erected to the memory of all those who had fallen in the battle; and upon these were inscribed their own names, and the name of the tribe to which they belonged. 26. Of these monuments there were three kinds; one for the Athenians, one for the Plata'ans, their allies, and one for the slaves who had been enrolled among the troops upon this pressing emergency. 27. To express their gratitude to Milti ́ades, the Athenians caused a picture to be painted by one of their most eminent artists, named Polygno'tus, in which that great commander was represented at the head of the other generals, animating the troops, and setting them an example of bravery. 28. But their gratitude to this celebrated warrior, however sincere, was by no means lasting. The Athenians, with all their good qualities, were naturally fickle, and apt to be jealous of such as, either by their merit, their power, or popularity, had in their opinion rendered themselves dangerous to the state. 29. Of this Milti'ades had very soon after a mortifying proof: for having received a wound in an expedition against the Parians, and being thereby prevented from appearing in public to defend himself from a charge of bribery which was brought against him by one Zanthip'pus, sentence was passed upon him in his absence, and he was condemned to lose his life. 30. danger to which she had ever as yet been exposed. After viewing the field of battle, covered with the bodies and spoils of their enemies, and congratulating the Athenians on their success, they returned to their own country, This severe sentence, however, the Athenians had not the effrontery to execute upon one who had done them such essential services: they therefore changed it into a fine of fifty talents (96877. 10s.); and, as this was a sum which Milti'ades could not pay, he was thrown into prison, where he soon after died. 31. But the Athenians would not suffer his body to be buried till the fine was paid: his son Ci'mon, therefore, by exerting all his interest among his friends and relations, was at last able to raise the requisite sum, and to procure his father an honourable interment.* Questions for Examination, 1. What means had the Athenians to oppose these formidable invaders? 2. Were they commanded by experienced generals? 3. What were their names and characters? 4. On whom did the storm first fall? 5. Did they make a successful defence? 6. What treatment did they experience from the Persian king? 7. What were the next movements of the Persian army? 8. What means did the Athenians adopt? 9. To whom did they next apply, and what success did they experience? 10. Did these disappointments discourage them? 11. Did this arrangement prove convenient? 12. In what way was it determined to oppose the enemy? 13. By what means was the inferiority of numbers compensated for? 14. Were the Persians aware of these advantages? 15. Did the Athenians await the attack? 16. Was this fury soon spent? 17. What was the Athenian order of battle? 18. What advantage did the Persians take of this? 19. What was the result? 20. What intrepid action was performed by an Athenian? *Though the ingratitude and cruelty of the Athenians towards their brave defender can neither be palliated nor excused, yet Miltiades was guilty of great injustice in attacking the Parians from a mere private pique against their governor. That Miltiades was innocent of taking bribes, is evident, from his inability to pay the fine imposed. 21. What was the loss sustained by the Persians? 22. What was the loss of the Greeks? 23. What were the consequences of the battle of Marathon? 24. How was the memory of the victory preserved? 25. By what means were the names of the slain rescued from oblivion? 26. How many kinds of monuments were there? 27. How did the Athenians express their gratitude to Miltiades? 28. Was this gratitude lasting? 29. Did Miltiades experience the effects of this disposition? 30. Was this sentence executed? 31. Did their persecution end with his death? CHAP. V. From the Death of Miltiades to the Retreat of SECTION I. 7. Assiduously, ad. busily, eagerly. 11. Ren'dezvous, s. place of meeting. 15. Sutlers, s. persons who sell liquor and provisions in a camp. 19. Lunatic, s. a madman, one affected by the changes of the moon,22. Pusillan'imous, a. void of courage, mean-spirited. 23. Abortive, a. unavailing. 30. Feuds, s. quarrels, contention, hatred. 32. Ambiguity, s. doubtful meaning. 1. DARIUS, rather enraged than intimidated by the loss he had sustained in the battle of Marathon, was preparing to invade Greece in person, when, happily for the peace of that country, death put an end to his ambitious project. 2. His son Xerx'es, however, who succeeded him on the throne, was determined to execute the plan his |