Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/76

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among the generals had given it as their opinion that they should fight, gave his turn to Miltiades, when the day came on which he ought to command. Then the Athenians were led out to battle, drawn up as follows: the polemarch, Callimachus, commanded the right wing: for it was then a law among the Athenians that the polemarch should command the right wing. On the left wing stood the Plataeans.

The battle of Marathon.

201.The line of battle having been thus set in order, when favourable omens had been reported after the victims had been slain, the Athenians, on the signal for battle being given, advanced at a run against the enemy. Then, indeed, the Persians, when they saw the foe coming against them at a run, prepared themselves to receive them. For they said, ‘that the Athenians were mad, and were rushing to destruction, since they (lit. who) were so few, and had neither cavalry nor archers.’ But the Athenians having joined battle (lit. hands) fought a fight worthy of being recorded. For they were the first of all the Greeks who dared to make an attack on the Persians, and were the first to endure the sight of (lit. to see) the uniform of the Medes; since before that day even the name of the Medes had inspired the Greeks with panic. In the centre of the line the barbarians prevailed; who victorious in that part, broke through the line and pursued the fugitives. But on either wing victory remained with the Athenians and Plataeans. And these indeed, letting go the barbarians they had put to flight, attacked those who had broken through their line, and from these also carried off the victory. Then, indeed, they pursued the Persians (when) put to flight, until, coming down to the sea, they attacked their very ships.

The losses on both sides.

202.In this contest there both perished many other noble Athenians; and Callimachus, the polemarch, was slain, while fighting bravely; (so) also was one of the generalsStesilaus. And in the same place Cynaegirus, after seizing with his hand the taffrail of a ship, fell, his hand being struck off with an axe.