The Road to Plataea
Following the Persian defeat at Salamis, King Xerxes retreated, leaving his general Mardonius with a massive army to finish the conquest of Greece. Book IX opens with diplomatic failures and the resumption of total war. Explore the key events leading to the final confrontation.
Chronology
Select an Event
Click on a timeline item on the left to explore the strategic maneuvers of Mardonius and the Greeks.
The Forces Assembled
Herodotus provides a meticulous accounting of the forces at Plataea. The disparity was stark: a pan-Hellenic coalition facing a massive multi-ethnic imperial army.
Persian vs. Greek Total Strength
The Greek Coalition
Led by Pausanias (Sparta)
The Persian Force
Led by Mardonius
Key Unit: The Immortals
The elite Persian unit. Despite their skill, Herodotus notes they lacked the heavy armor of the Greek Hoplites, a critical disadvantage in the coming close-quarters combat.
The Battle of Plataea
A chaotic engagement decided by discipline and heavy armor. The battle was preceded by weeks of skirmishing, water shortages, and a confused night retreat. Explore the tactical layout below.
Battle Phases
Tactical Note
Select a phase to see the battlefield evolution.
The Cost of Victory
The casualty figures provided by Herodotus are staggeringly lopsided, reflecting the slaughter that occurred once the Persian line broke.
The Parallel Victory: Mycale
On the very same day as Plataea, rumor reached the Greek fleet at Mycale (Ionia). The Persians, fearing a naval battle, beached their ships and built a rampart.
- 🌊 Leotychides' Stratagem: He shouted messages to the Ionians in the Persian camp, encouraging revolt.
- ⚔️ The Battle: Athenians broke the line of wicker shields. The Persians fled to their fort.
- 🔥 Revolt: The Samians and Milesians turned on their Persian masters, guiding them into traps. The ships were burned.
The Double Blow
Herodotus attributes the synchronized victories to divine providence, noting that rumors of Pausanias' victory reached Mycale instantaneously across the sea.
Epilogue: The Wages of Hubris
The Siege of Sestos
While Spartans returned home, Athenians besieged Sestos to clear the Hellespont bridges. The cruel Satrap Artayctes was captured and crucified for desecrating the temple of Protesilaus.
The Tragedy of Xerxes
A dark tale of lust and mutilation in the court at Susa involving Xerxes, his brother Masistes, and a robe woven by Queen Amestris.
"Masistes, thou art my brother... but part with the wife thou now hast."
Xerxes lusted after Masistes' wife, then his daughter. Queen Amestris, jealous of the daughter, mutilated Masistes' wife. Masistes attempted revolt but was slain.
Cyrus' Final Warning
"Soft countries breed soft men."
The book concludes with Cyrus the Great advising the Persians not to leave their rugged land for fertile plains, lest they become slaves instead of rulers.