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The next spring Darius superseded all the other generals, and sent
down Mardonius, the son of Gobryas, to the coast, and with him a
vast body of men, some fit for sea, others for land service.
Mardonius was a youth at this time, and had only lately married
Artazostra, the king's daughter. When Mardonius, accompanied by
this numerous host, reached Cilicia, he took ship and proceeded along
shore with his fleet, while the land army marched under other leaders
towards the Hellespont. In the course of his voyage along the coast
of Asia he came to Ionia; and here I have a marvel to relate which
will greatly surprise those Greeks who cannot believe that Otanes
advised the seven conspirators to make Persia a commonwealth.
Mardonius put down all the despots throughout Ionia, and in lieu of
them established democracies. Having so done, he hastened to the
Hellespont, and when a vast multitude of ships had been brought
together, and likewise a powerful land force, he conveyed his troops
across the strait by means of his vessels, and proceeded through
Europe against Eretria and Athens.
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