eing informed that this place was called the
Nine Ways, they buried alive in it that number of boys and maidens,
children of the natives of the place. Now burying alive is a Persian
custom; for I am informed that Amestris also, the wife of Xerxes, when
she had grown old, made return for her own life to the god who is said
to be beneath the earth by burying twice seven children of Persians who
were men of renown.

115. As the army proceeded on its march from the Strymon, it found after
this a sea-beach stretching towards the setting of the sun, and passed
by the Hellenic city, Argilos, which was there placed. This region and
that which lies above it is called Bisaltia. Thence, keeping on the left
hand the gulf which lies of Posideion, he went through the plain which
is called the plain of Syleus, passing by Stageiros a Hellenic city, and
so came to Acanthos, taking with him as he went each one of these tribes
and also of those who dwell about Mount Pangaion, just as he did those
whom I enumerated before, having the men who dwelt along the sea coast
to serve in the ships and those who dwelt inland to accompany him on
foot. This road by which Xerxes the king marched his army, the Thracians
do not disturb nor sow crops over, but pay very great reverence to it
down to my own time.

116. Then when he had come to Acanthos, Xerxes proclaimed a
guest-friendship with the people of Acanthos and also presented them
with the Median dress 107 and commended them, perceiving that they were
zealous to serve him in the war and hearing of that which had been dug.

117. And while Xerxes was in Acanthos, it happened that he who had
been set over the making of the channel, Artachaies by name, died of
sickness, a man who was highly esteemed by Xerxes and belonged to
the Achaimenid family; also he was in stature the tallest of all the
Persians, falling short by only four fingers of being five royal cubits
108 in height, and he had a voice the loudest of all men; so that Xerxes
was greatly grieved at the loss of him, and carried him forth and buried
him with great honour, and the whole army joined in throwing up a mound
for him. To this Artachaies the Acanthians by the bidding of an oracle
do sacrifice as a hero, calling upon his name in worship.

118. King Xerxes, I say, was greatly grieved at the loss of Artachaies:
and meanwhile the Hellenes who were entertaining his army and providing
Xerxes with dinners had been brought to utter ruin, s