We have now to look back to the operations of ./ the two fleets. Xerxes, recollecting the disaster which that of Darius had sustained, in doubling the promontory of Mount Athos, determined to cut a canal through the neck of the peninsula, sufficient to allow two gallies to sail abreast. The fleet passing through this canal, followed the army along the coasts of Greece, till it arrived and anchored in-the bay of Sepias. No harbour could contain so immense an armament ; it was therefore necessary to station itself in the road, which extends from the city of Castanea to the promontory of Sepias. The Gre cians meanwhile had stationed theirs at Artcmisium, the northern promontory of Eubcea. .The Lacede-. monians still retained such a pre-eminence among the other states, as procured for their admiral the com mand of the whole fleet, although of 380 triremes, they sent only ten.
The Athenians, who had already sent 120, and were preparing more, were disposed to murmur ; but Themistocles, with consummate prudence, prevailed on them to acquiesce, rather titan cause dissension at so critical a period. Most of the Peloponnesian states urged the necessity of an immediate retreat, in order to assume a station, where they might defend their own coasts. This proposal was strenuously opposed by Themistocles, who looked upon it as equally dis honourable and pernicious to Greece. By his argu ments, and by threatening that the Athenians would withdraw, and found a colony elsewhere, lie prevailed on the allies to relinquish this design. Meanwhile the Persians, unable to find secure anchorage for their immense fleet, had suffered extremely from a violent storm. Before they had recovered from this disaster, the Greeks made a nocturnal attack, took thirty of their vessels, and destroyed as many more. Next day they again attacked them, and cut off the Cilician squadron. The same storm which had shat tered the grand Persian fleet, completely destroyed a division of them which had sailed round Enbcca, in order to take the Greeks in the rear. These favour able circumstances animated the hopes of the confe Berate', and dispelled, in some measure, the terror which had been inspired by the power and numbers of the enemy. When, therefore, on the third day, the Persians advanced and offered battle, it was not declined. The combat was more obstinate' and bloody than any of the preceding. At length, how ever, the Persians retiring, resigned their claim to the honours of victory. The Greeks, however, had suf fered so much, that it appeared impossible to fight such another battle. It was at last determined to retire, and station themselves in the Saronic Gulf, between Athens and Salamis.
Meantime Xerxes, with the flower of his army, advanced in person into Attica, and proceeded to Athens. That city was still occupied by a few, who could not be removed, or who had preferred remain ing. These, abandoning the town, endeavoured to defend themselves in the citadel. They were for some time successful ; the strength of the situation, and their own superior valour, rendering the attempts of the enemy fruitless. At length, however, a path was discovered, on a side of the edifice, supposed in accessible, and therefore left unguarded. By this the Persians ascended, and having put all to the sword, set fire to the citadel, as well as to the temple of Minerva, which was its chief ornament. So elated was Xerxes with this easy conquest, that he immedi ately sent an express to announce it to .Artabanus, at Su sa.
When the confederate fleet, from their station at Salamis, beheld the disaster of Athens, they were struck with the deepest alarm. Eurybiades, their Spartan admiral, in conformity with the general sen timent, resolved to retire to the isthmus, with the view of covering the coast of Peloponnesus. The mistocles, however, to whom such a step appeared altogether ruinous, and also instigated by an Athe nian, called Menesiphillis, went immediately to Eury biades, and represented, that if the Peloponnesians were once brought to their own coast, no power could prevent them from leaving the fleet, and re turning to their homes ; that all the hopes of Greece rested in her fleet ; that therefore if this measure was adopted, Greece was lost. Eurybiades was little disposed to listen ; and, offended with the warmth of Themistocles, lifted up his cane ; to which the other replied in the memorable words : " Strike, but hear." Eurybiades heard, and at length agreed to call a council of the fleet. Here Themistocles prudently avoided the argument which he had urged most strongly to Eurybiades, but which was now likely to prove offensive. He represented the advantages of fighting in a narrow sea, where the enemy could not avail themselves of their numbers, and where, there fore, the superior valour of the Greeks, and strength of their vessels, might be expected to prevail. He even threatened, that the Athenians would desert allies who paid so little regard to their interest, and would found a colony in Italy. This last argument proved the most powerful of all, as the Athenian vessels formed the strength of the fleet. The dispute, how ever, was warm ; and even personal sarcasms were thrown out upon Themistocles, to which, however, he replied so skilfully, as made them recoil on his adversaries. It was at length determined to stay.