A T H E N S. 



A them. 



Xcries 



seizes and 



burns 



Alliens. 



, and dispelled, in some measure, the terror 

 which had been inspired by the power and number* 

 of the enemy. When, therefore, on the third day, 

 the Persians advanced and offered battle, it was not 

 declined. The combat was more obstinate and 

 bloody than any of the preceding. At length, how- 

 ever, the Persians retiring, resigned their claim to the 

 honours of victory. The Greeks, however, had suf- 

 fered so much, that it appeared impossible to 

 such another battle. It was at last determined to 

 retire, and station themselves in the Saronic Gulf, 

 between Adieu-; and Salamis. 



Meantime Xerxes, with the flower of his army, 

 advanced in peison into Attica, and proceeded to 

 Athens. That city was still occupied by a few, who 

 could not be removed, or who had preferred remain- 

 ing. These, abandoning the town, endeavoured to 

 defend themselves in the citadel. They were for 

 some time successful ; the strength of the situation, 

 and their own superior valour, rendering the attempts 

 of the enemy fruitless. At length, however, a path 

 was discovered, on a side of the edifice, supposed in- 

 ble, and therefore left unguarded. By this 

 the Persians ascended, and having put all to the 

 sword, set fire to the citadel, as well as to the temple 

 of Minerva, which was its chief ornament. So elated 

 was Xerxes with this easy conquest, that he immedi- 

 ately sent an express to announce it to Artabanus, at 

 Susa. 



When the confederate fleet, from their station at 

 .Salamis, beheld the disaster of Athens, thev were 

 struck with the deepest alarm. Eurybiades, their 

 Spartan admiral, in conformity with the general sen- 

 timent, resolved to retire to the isthmus, with the 

 view of covering the coast of Peloponnesus. The- 

 nistocles, however, to whom such a step appeared 

 altogether ruinous, and also instigated by an Athe- 

 nian, called Menesiphilus, went immediately to Eury- 

 biades, and represented, that if the Peloponnesians 

 were once brought to their own coast, no power 

 could prevent them from leaving the fleet, and re- 

 turning to their homes ; that all the hopes of Greece 

 rested in her fleet ; that therefore if this measure was 

 adopted, Greece was lost. Eurybiades was little 

 ihsposed to listen ; and, offended with the warmth of 

 Themistocles, lifted up his cane ; to which the other 

 replied in the memorable words : " Strike, but hear." 

 Eurybiades heard, and at length agreed to call a 

 council of the fleet. Here Themistocles prudently 

 avoided the argument which he had urged most 

 strongly to Eurybiades, but which was now likely to 

 prove offensive. He represented the advantages of 

 fighting in a narrow sea, where the enemy could not 

 avail themselves of their numbers, and where, there- 

 tore, the superior valour of the Greeks, and strength 

 of their vessels, might be expected to prevail. He 

 even threatened, that the Athenians would desert allies 

 who paid so little regard to their interest, and would 

 found a colony in Italy. This last argument proved 

 the most powerful of all, as the Athenian vessels 

 formed the strength of the fleet. The dispute, how- 

 ever, was warm ; and even personal sarcasms were 

 thrown out upon Themistocles, to which, however, 

 he replied so skilfully, as made them recoil on his 

 adversaries. It was at length determined to stay. 



But when shortly after th d fleet began to Athtw. 



approach, and the sea appeared covered with innu- v v 

 merable vessels, their courage again wavered, and a 

 general disposition prevailed to set sail, without de- 

 lay, for the i,thmus. Themistocles, ever fertile in 

 expedients, adopted on this occasion a most singular 

 one. By means of a Persian captive, whom he had 

 with him, he sent a message to Xerxes, expressing 

 his attachment to that monarch, and informing him 

 of the intended retreat of the Greeks. He advi 

 him, therefore, to send two hundred vessels n.uiid 

 islands of yEgina and Salamis, which, placing them- 

 selves in the rear of the confederates, might prevent 

 the meditated escape. To a monarch so confident of 

 his own power, the advice appeared plausible, and it 

 was therefore adopted without hesitation. Next 

 night, therefore, when the Grecians were deliberating 

 on retreat, news arrived that it was no longer practi- 

 cable ; that they were completely surrounded. This 

 intelligence was confirmed by a most respectable au- 

 thority. Themistocles, forgetting in this emerge; 

 his private resentments, had persuaded the Athenians 

 to recal his rival Aristides ; and that distinguished 

 patriot having made his way through the Persian 

 fleet, arrived while the council was yet sitting. The 

 intelligence he brought was confirmed by others ; so 

 that the Greeks now saw that they had no alternative 

 but to prepare for immediate battle. 



The Athenians were stationed on the left wing, j> at tle of 

 nearest to the coast of Attica, and were opposed to Salamis. 

 the Phoenicians, the first naval power under the do- 

 minion of Persia. The Peloponnesians, on the right 

 of the Greeks, were opposed to the Ionians, and 

 other Asiatic Greeks, who occupied the left of the 

 Persians. Themistocles judiciously delayed the at- 

 tack till the hour when a customary breeze sprung 

 up from behind, under favour of which he bore down 

 upon the Persians. Although he was not the nomi- 

 nal commander, yet the universal opinion of his skill 

 made his example the rule to every one. The Gre- 

 cian fleet amounted to three hundred and eighty ves- 

 sels, while that of the Persians exceeded twelve hun- 

 dred. In consequence of the confined situation, how- 

 ever, in which the battle took place, the latter could 

 not bring a much greater number into the action, 

 but were obliged to arrange their vessels in succes- 

 sive lines, one behind the other. The first and se- 

 verest shock was on the right, between the Athe- 

 nians and Phoenicians. But besides the glorious mo- 

 tives by which the former were animated, they acted 

 in an orderly manner, and on a regular plan ; while 

 their adversaries fought blindly, and without concert. 

 Victory therefore soon declared on their side. On 

 the other wing, where the Asiatic Greeks fought for 

 Xerxes, it was still sooner decided. These nations, 

 remembenng their origin and ancient liberty, were 

 little ambitious of imposing on kindred tribes the 

 same servitude under which they themselves groaned. 

 They soon either deserted or fled. The whole of 

 the first line thus discomfited, fell back on those be- 

 hind, among whom they spread dismay and disorder. 

 There were no means of rallying such a confused mul- 

 titude ; in a short time the whole fleet took to flight, 

 and the victory of the Grecians was complete. A 

 body of select Persian infantry, which had thrown 



