The army spread itself over a wide tract of country, marching generally in three divisions, which proceeded by three parallel lines--one along the coast, another at some considerable distance inland, and a third, with which was Xerxes himself, midway between them.
At every place where Xerxes stopped along his line of route the natives had, besides furnishing corn for his army, to entertain him and his suite at a great banquet, the cost of which was felt as a heavy burthen.
Contributions of troops or ships were also required from all the cities and tribes; and thus both fleet and army continually swelled as they advanced onward.

In crossing the track between the Strymon and the Axius some damage was suffered by the baggage-train from lions, which came down from the mountains during the night and devoured many of the camels; but otherwise the march was effected without loss, and the fleet and army reached the borders of Thessaly intact, and in good condition.
Here it was found that there was work for the pioneers, and a reconnaissance of the enemy's country before entering it was probably also thought desirable.

The army accordingly halted some days in Pieria, while preparations were being made for crossing the Olympic range into the Thessalian lowland.
During the halt intelligence arrived which seemed to promise the invader an easy conquest.

Xerxes, while he was staying at Sardis, had sent heralds to all the Grecian states, excepting Athens and Sparta, with a demand for earth and water, the recognized symbols of submission.

His envoys now returned, and brought him favorable replies from at least one-third of the continental Greeks--from the Perrhaebians, Thessalians, Dolopians, Magnetians, Achaeans of Phthiotis, Enianians, Malians, Locrians, and from most of the Boeotians.