XERXES AND HIS ARMY. 143

alive, for all thought of any peril to his army and
fleet from the insignificant numbers of the Greeks
must have been dismissed with scorn from his mind.

Like locusts the army marched southward through
Thrace, eating up the cities as it advanced, for each
was required to provide a day’s meals for the mighty
host. For months those cities had been engaged in
providing the food which this army consumed in a
day. Many of the cities were brought to the verge
of ruin, and all of them were glad to see the army
march on. At length Xerxes saw before him Mount
Olympus, on the northern boundary of the land of
Hellas or Greece. This was the end of his own
dominions. He was now about to enter the territory
of his foes. With what fortune he did so must be
left for later tales.