for having made mention of domestic misfortunes; and it was forbidden by law that any one should make further use of that play.
Failure of Mardonius’ expedition against Greece.
187.Darius determined to take vengeance on the Athenians and Eretrians for the burning of Sardis. Therefore he put Mardonius in command of great forces. He himself embarked on board a vessel, and set out with the rest of the ships; but other generals led the land army to the Hellespont. First having attacked the Thasians, who had not even raised their hands against them, they made them subject to themselves; and then, with the land army, they sent the Macedonians under the yoke. Next they set about sailing round Mount Athos with their fleet. But, a great storm having arisen, a very great number of the vessels were dashed against the mountain. They say that 300 ships perished, and more than 20,000 men. But the Thracians, having attacked the land army by night, slew a great number of the soldiers. Therefore Mardonius, after managing affairs disgracefully, was forced to lead his forces back to Asia.
XVI.THE SECOND EXPEDITION AGAINST GREECE.
Preparations.
188.Not even then did Darius desist from the enterprise. For both his attendants kept reminding him to remember the Athenians, and he himself desired to subdue the Greeks. So, after removing Mardonius, who had managed the business badly, from his government, he put Datis and Artaphemes in command of new forces, giving them orders to subdue Athens and Eretria, and to bring thence the slaves they took (lit. the captured slaves) into his presence. These being named (as) generals, enrolled large forces on arriving at the seaships also which Darius had got ready the year before, were added for bringing the horses across. The horses having been put on board, and all the infantry forces having been ordered to embark, they set out with 600 triremes.
