The Athenians were thus the deliverers of Greece.

They animated the ardour of those states yet faithful to themselves; and, next to the gods, they were the true repellers of the invader.

Even the Delphic oracles, dark and ominous as they were, did not shake their purpose, nor induce them to abandon Greece." When even the deities themselves seemed doubtful, Athens was unshaken.

The messengers despatched by the Athenians to the Delphic oracle received indeed an answer well calculated to appal them.
"Unhappy men," cried the priestess, "leave your houses and the ramparts of the city, and fly to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Fire and keen Mars, compelling the Syrian chariot, shall destroy, towers shall be overthrown, and temples destroyed by fire.

Lo! now, even now, they stand dropping sweat, and their house-tops black with blood, and shaking with prophetic awe.