At length, though after a long and tedious period of no less than eleven years, Pisistratus resolved to hazard the issue of open war.

At the head of a foreign force he advanced to Marathon, and pitched his tents upon its immortal plain.

Troops of the factious or discontented thronged from Athens to his camp, while the bulk of the citizens, unaffected ay such desertions, viewed his preparations with indifference.

At length, when they heard that Pisistratus had broken up his encampment, and was on his march to the city, the Athenians awoke from their apathy, and collected their forces to oppose him.

He continued to advance his troops, halted at the temple of Minerva, whose earthly representative had once so benignly assisted him, and pitched his tents opposite the fane.