Page:History of Greece Vol V.djvu/111

 BATTLES OF THERMOPYL^ AND ARTEMISIUM. 87 ceediiigs of Xerxes, and the immensity of host which he sum- moned, show that he calculated on an energetic resistance ; and though the numbers of Leonidas, compared with the Persians, were insignificant, they could hardly have looked insignificant in the position which they then occupied, — an entrance little wider than a single carriage-road, with a cross wall, a prolonged space somewhat widened, and then another equally narrow exit, behind it. "We are informed by Diodorus ' that the Lokrians, when they first sent earth and water to the Per- sian monarch, engaged at the same time to seize the pass of Thermopylte on his behalf, and were only prevented from doing so by the unexpected arrival of Leonidas ; nor is it unlikely that the Thessalians, now the chief guides of Xerxes,2 together with Alexander of Macedon, would try the same means of frightening away the garrison of Thermopylce, as had already been so successful in causing the evacuation of Tempe. An interval of two or three days might be well bestowed for the purpose of leaving to such intrigues a fair chance of success: the fleet, meanwhile, would be arrived at Aphetce after the dan- gers of the storm : we may thus venture to read the conduct of Xerxes in a manner somewhat less childish than it is depicted by Herodotus. The Medes, whom Xerxes first ordered to the attack, animated as well by the recollection of their ancient Asiatic supremacy as by the desire of avenging the defeat of Marathon,^ manifested great personal bravery. The position was one in which bows and arrows were of little avail : a close combat hand to hand was indispensable, and in this the Greeks had every advantage of organization as well as armor. Short spears, light wicker shields, and tunics, in the assailants, were an imperfect match for the long spears, heavy and spreading shields, steady ranks,^ and practised fighting of the defenders. Yet the bravest men of the Persian army pressed on from behind, and having nothing but numbers in their favor, maintained long this unequal combat, with great slaughter to themselves and little loss to the Greeks. Though constantly repulsed, the attack was as constantly renewed, • Diodor. xi, 4. ^ Herodot. vii, 174; viii, 29-32. ■^ Diodor. xi, 6.
 * Herodot. vii, 21 1 ; ix, 62, 63 ; Diodor. xi, 7 : compare jEschyl. Pers. 244.