Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/87

PART IV.] THE THIED INVASION OF GEEECK 79 their lances turned to the ground; these also wore crowns. Then sacred horses and a sacred car; then Xerxes himself; then the rest of the army. However, some authors relate that the king crossed last of all.

229.When all had crossed and were commencing their onwaid march, a mighty portent was vouchsafed, of which Xerxes took no notice, although the interpretation of it would have been very easy : for a mare brought forth a hare. Now it was easy to interpret this as follows: that Xerxes, indeed, with great pride and splendour, was going to lead his army into Greece, but was sure to return to the same place with risk to his own life.

230.When the army had reached the plain of Doriscus, Xerxes resolved to discover how many soldiers he had. I cannot accurately say what number each people contributed, for this is not recorded by any one. The number, however, was ascertained thus:hey collected 10,000 men into one place, and when these had been crowded together as closely as possible, they drew round them on the outside a circle; next, after dismissing these ten thousand, they built a wall in a circle of such a height as to reach to a man’s middle. Having done this, they ordered others to enter within the wall, until they discovered the number of all in this way.

231.Hydames was in command of 10,000 picked men of the Persians. Now these Persians used to be called Immortals, from this reason: when one of their number failed, constrained either by death or disease, another man used to be chosen to fill his place, that they might always be 10,000neither more nor less. Moreover, they were especially conspicuous among all in their dress, and were the bravest (of all). For these, apart firom the rest of the soldiers, camels and beasts of burden used to carry supplies.