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Thus did war rage between the Eginetans and Athenians. Meantime the
Persian pursued his own design, from day to day exhorted by his
servant to "remember the Athenians," and likewise urged continually
by the Pisistratidae, who were ever accusing their countrymen.
Moreover it pleased him well to have a pretext for carrying war into
Greece, that so he might reduce all those who had refused to give him
earth and water. As for Mardonius, since his expedition had
succeeded so ill, Darius took the command of the troops from him, and
appointed other generals in his stead, who were to lead the host
against Eretria and Athens; to wit, Datis, who was by descent a
Mede, and Artaphernes, the son of Artaphernes, his own nephew.
These men received orders to carry Athens and Eretria away captive,
and to bring the prisoners into his presence.
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