"_Pugnatrix natio et formidanda_," says Ammianus Marcellinus in the fourth century of our era, summing up in a few words the general judgment of Antiquity.

Originally equal, if not superior, to their close kindred, the Persians, they were throughout the whole period of Persian supremacy only second to them in courage and warlike qualities.

Mardonius, when allowed to take his choice out of the entire host of Xerxes, selected the Median troops in immediate succession to the Persians.

Similarly, when the time for battle came he kept the Medes near himself, giving them their place in the line close to that of the Persian contingent.

It was no doubt on account of their valor, as Diodorus suggests, that the Medes were chosen to make the first attack upon the Greek position at Thermopylae, where, though unsuccessful, they evidently showed abundant courage.