|
Next day the Greeks, seeing the land force of the barbarians encamped
in the same place, thought that their ships must still be lying at
Phalerum; and, expecting another attack from that quarter, made
preparations to defend themselves. Soon however news came that the
ships were all departed and gone away; whereupon it was instantly
resolved to make sail in pursuit. They went as far as Andros; but,
seeing nothing of the Persian fleet, they stopped at that place, and
held a council of war. At this council Themistocles advised that the
Greeks should follow on through the islands, still pressing the
pursuit, and making all haste to the Hellespont, there to break down
the bridges. Eurybiades, however, delivered a contrary opinion.
"If," he said, "the Greeks should break down the bridges, it
would be the worst thing that could possibly happen for Greece. The
Persian, supposing that his retreat were cut off, and he compelled to
remain in Europe, would be sure never to give them any peace.
Inaction on his part would ruin all his affairs, and leave him no
chance of ever getting back to Asia - nay, would even cause his army
to perish by famine: whereas, if he bestirred himself, and acted
vigorously, it was likely that the whole of Europe would in course of
time become subject to him; since, by degrees, the various towns and
tribes would either fall before his arms, or else agree to terms of
submission; and in this way, his troops would find food sufficient for
them, since each year the Greek harvest would be theirs. As it was,
the Persian, because he had lost the sea-fight, intended evidently
to remain no longer in Europe. The Greeks ought to let him depart;
and when he was gone from among them, and had returned into his own
country, then would be the time for them to contend with him for the
possession of that."
The other captains of the Peloponnesians declared themselves of the
same mind.
|
|