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Reinforced by the contingents of all these various states, except
Paros, the barbarians reached Athens. As for the Parians, they
tarried at Cythnus, waiting to see how the war would go. The rest of
the sea forces came safe to Phalerum; where they were visited by
Xerxes, who had conceived a desire to go aboard and learn the wishes
of the fleet. So he came and sate in a seat of honour; and the
sovereigns of the nations, and the captains of the ships, were sent
for, to appear before him, and as they arrived took their seats
according to the rank assigned them by the king. In the first seat
sate the king of Sidon; after him, the king of Tyre; then the rest
in their order. When the whole had taken their places, one after
another, and were set down in orderly array, Xerxes, to try them,
sent Mardonius and questioned each, whether a sea-fight should be
risked or no.
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