the rest of the
Greeks, that place neither takes away nor contributes courage: we shall
endeavor by maintaining the post you assign us, to reflect no dishonor
on our former performances. For we are come, not to differ with our
friends, but to fight our enemies; not to extol our ancestors, but to
behave as valiant men. This battle will manifest how much each city,
captain, and private soldier is worth to Greece." The council of war,
upon this address, decided for the Athenians, and gave them the other
wing of the battle.

At this juncture, Mardonius made trial of the Grecian courage, by
sending his whole number of horse, in which he thought himself much
the stronger, against them, while they were all, except the Megarians,
encamped at the foot of Mount Cithaeron, in strong and rocky places.
They being three thousand in number, had pitched their tents on the
plain, where the cavalry charged and made inroads upon them from all
sides. They sent, therefore, in haste to Pausanias, demanding relief,
not being able alone to sustain the great numbers of the barbarians.
Pausanias, hearing this, and perceiving the tents of the Megarians
almost hidden by the multitude of darts and arrows, and themselves
driven together into a narrow space, was at a loss how to aid them with
his battalions of heavy-armed Lacedaemonians. He asked, therefore, as
a test of emulation and love of distinction, to the commanders and
captains who were around him, if any would voluntarily take upon the
defense and succor of the Megarians.

The rest being backward, Aristides undertook the enterprise for the
Athenians, and sent Olympiodorus, the most valiant of his inferior
officers, with three hundred chosen men and some archers under his
command. These were soon in readiness, and running upon the enemy, as
soon as it was perceived by Masistius, who commanded the cavalry of the
barbarians, a man of wonderful courage and of extraordinary bulk and
comeliness of person, he turned his steed and made towards them. They
sustained the shock and joined battle with him, as though by this
encounter they were to try the success of the whole war. But after
Masistius's horse received a wound, and flung him, and he falling, could
hardly raise himself through the weight of his armor, the Athenians
pressed upon him with blows, but could not easily get at his person,
armed as he was, breast, head, and limbs all over, with gold and brass
and iron; but one of them at last, r