Polymnia   

The Greek forces at Thermopylae, when the Persian army drew near
to the entrance of the pass, were seized with fear; and a council
was held to consider about a retreat. It was the wish of the
Peloponnesians generally that the army should fall back upon the
Peloponnese, and there guard the Isthmus. But Leonidas, who saw with
what indignation the Phocians and Locrians heard of this plan, gave
his voice for remaining where they were, while they sent envoys to the
several cities to ask for help, since they were too few to make a
stand against an army like that of the Medes.
While this debate was going on, Xerxes sent a mounted spy to
observe the Greeks, and note how many they were, and see what they
were doing. He had heard, before he came out of Thessaly, that a few
men were assembled at this place, and that at their head were
certain Lacedaemonians, under Leonidas, a descendant of Hercules.
The horseman rode up to the camp, and looked about him, but did not
see the whole army; for such as were on the further side of the wall
(which had been rebuilt and was now carefully guarded) it was not
possible for him to behold; but he observed those on the outside,
who were encamped in front of the rampart. It chanced that at this
time the Lacedaemonians held the outer guard, and were seen by the
spy, some of them engaged in gymnastic exercises, others combing their
long hair. At this the spy greatly marvelled, but he counted their
number, and when he had taken accurate note of everything, he rode
back quietly; for no one pursued after him, nor paid any heed to his
visit. So he returned, and told Xerxes all that he had seen.
Upon this, Xerxes, who had no means of surmising the truth-
namely, that the Spartans were preparing to do or die manfully- but
thought it laughable that they should be engaged in such
employments, sent and called to his presence Demaratus the son of
Ariston, who still remained with the army. When he appeared, Xerxes
told him all that he had heard, and questioned him concerning the
news, since he was anxious to understand the meaning of such behaviour
on the part of the Spartans. Then Demaratus said-
"I spake to thee, O king! concerning these men long since, when we
had but just begun our march upon Greece; thou, however, didst only
laugh at my words, when I told thee of all this, which I saw would
come to pass. Earnestly do I struggle at all times to speak truth to
thee, sire; and now listen to it once more. These men have come to
dispute the pass with us; and it is for this that they are now
making ready. 'Tis their custom, when they are about to hazard their
lives, to adorn their heads with care. Be assured, however, that if
thou canst subdue the men who are here and the Lacedaemonians who
remain in Sparta, there is no other nation in all the world which will
venture to lift a hand in their defence. Thou hast now to deal with
the first kingdom and town in Greece, and with the bravest men."
Then Xerxes, to whom what Demaratus said seemed altogether to
surpass belief, asked further "how it was possible for so small an
army to contend with his?"
"O king!" Demaratus answered, "let me be treated as a liar, if
matters fall not out as I say."
But Xerxes was not persuaded any the more. Four whole days he
suffered to go by, expecting that the Greeks would run away. When,
however, he found on the fifth that they were not gone, thinking
that their firm stand was mere impudence and recklessness, he grew
wroth, and sent against them the Medes and Cissians, with orders to
take them alive and bring them into his presence. Then the Medes
rushed forward and charged the Greeks, but fell in vast numbers:
others however took the places of the slain, and would not be beaten
off, though they suffered terrible losses. In this way it became clear
to all, and especially to the king, that though he had plenty of
combatants, he had but very few warriors. The struggle, however,
continued during the whole day.
Then the Medes, having met so rough a reception, withdrew from the
fight; and their place was taken by the band of Persians under