CHAPTER V.
The Persian Generals enter Europe .-- Invasion of Naxos, Carystus, Eretria .-- The Athenians Demand the Aid of Sparta .-- The Result of their Mission and the Adventure of their Messenger .-- The Persians advance to Marathon .-- The Plain Described .-- Division of Opinion in the Athenian Camp .-- The Advice of Miltiades prevails .-- The Dream of Hippias .-- The Battle of Marathon.
I.

On the Cilician coast the Persian armament encamped--thence, in a fleet of six hundred triremes, it sailed to Samos (B.C.

490)--passed through the midst of the clustering Cyclades, and along that part of the Aegaean Sea called "the Icarian," from the legendary fate of the son of Daedalus--invaded Naxos--burnt her town and temples, and sparing the sacred Delos, in which the Median Datis reverenced the traditionary birthplace of two deities analogous to those most honoured in the Persian creed [274]--awed into subjection the various isles, until it arrived at Euboea, divided but by a strait from Attica, and containing the city of the Eretrians.

The fleet first assailed Carystus, whose generous citizens refused both to aid against their neighbours, and to give hostages for their conduct.

Closely besieged, and their lands wasted, they were compelled, however, to surrender to the Persians.