A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Darius plans
to subdue
Hellas.
Herodotus vi.
94-
After the
destruction
of Sardis
Darius liad
ordered a
servant to admonish
him
daily to "remember
the
Athenians."
Mardonius
had failed
in an expedition
against
Greece;
Greece, ii8 f.;
A ncient
World, 1 66 f.
Athens
sends to
Sparta for
aid.
Hdt. vi. 105.
The Persians
had alreadytaken
Eretria;
Ancient
World, 167.
CHAPTER XVI
THE WAR BETWEEN GREECE AND PERSIA
I. The Invasion of Datis and Artaphernes
So the Athenians were at war with the Eginetans; and
meanwhile the Persian was carrying forward his
design,
since he was put in mind ever by his servant to remember
the Athenians, and also
because the sons of Peisistratus
were near at hand and brought charges continually against
the Athenians, while at the same time Darius himself
wished to take hold of this pretext and subdue those nations
of Hellas which had not given him earth and water.
Mardonius then, since he had fared miserably in his expedition,
he removed from his command; and appointing
other generals to command, he despatched them against
Eretria and Athens, namely Datis, who was a Mede by
race, and Artaphernes the son of Artaphernes, a nephew
of
the king; and he sent them forth with the charge to
reduce Athens and Eretria to slavery and to bring back
the slaves into his presence. . . .
First of all, while they were still in the city the generals
sent off to Sparta a herald, namely Pheidippides an Athenian,
a runner of long day-courses and one who practised
this as his profession. With this man, as Pheidippides
himself said and as he made report to the Athenians,
Pan chanced to meet by Mount Parthenion, which is
above Tegea; and calling aloud the name of Pheidippides,
Pan bade him report to the Athenians and ask for what
reason they had no care of him, though he was well
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