Book 8
118.1
There is, however, another tale, which is this: when Xerxes came in his march from Athens [23.7333,37.9667] (Perseus)Athens to +Eion [23.8833,40.7333] (Perseus) Eion on the Strymon, he travelled no farther than that by land, but committed his army to Hydarnes to be led to the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont. He himself embarked and set sail for Asia (continent)Asia in a Phoenician ship.
118.2
In the course of this voyage he was caught by a strong wind called the Strymonian, which lifted up the waves. This storm bearing the harder upon him by reason of the heavy load of the ship (for the Persians of his company who were on the deck were so many), the king grew afraid and cried to the ship's pilot asking him if there were any way of deliverance. To this the man said,
118.3
“Sire, there is none, if we do not rid ourselves of these many who are on board.” Hearing that, it is said, Xerxes said to the Persians, “Now it is for you to prove your concern for your king, for it seems that my deliverance rests with you.”
118.4
At this they bowed and leapt into the sea. The ship, now much lighter, came by these means safe to Asia (continent)Asia. No sooner had Xerxes disembarked on land, than he made the pilot a gift of a golden crown for saving the king's life but cut off his head for being the death of many Persians.
119.1
This is the other tale of Xerxes' return; but I for my part believe neither the story of the Persians' fate nor any other part of it. For if indeed the pilot had spoken to Xerxes in this way, I think that there is not one in ten thousand who would not say that the king would have bidden the men on deck (who were Persians and of the best blood of Iran [53,32] (nation), AsiaPersia) descend into the ship's hold, and would have taken from the Phoenician rowers a number equal to the number of the Persians and cast them into the sea. No, the truth is that Xerxes did as I have already said, and returned to Asia (continent)Asia with his army by road.
