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At last, however, in the midst of these many difficulties, the
barbarians made discovery of an access. For verily the oracle had
spoken truth; and it was fated that the whole mainland of Attica
should fall beneath the sway of the Persians. Right in front of the
citadel, but behind the gates and the common ascent - where no watch
was kept, and no one would have thought it possible that any foot of
man could climb - a few soldiers mounted from the sanctuary of
Aglaurus, Cecrops' daughter, notwithstanding the steepness of the
precipice. As soon as the Athenians saw them upon the summit, some
threw themselves headlong from the wall, and so perished; while others
fled for refuge to the inner part of the temple. The Persians rushed
to the gates and opened them, after which they massacred the
suppliants, When all were slain, they plundered the temple, and
fired every part of the citadel.
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