PLATAA’S FAMOUS DAY. 171

the Athenians for aid. The Athenians rushed for-
ward, but soon found themselves confronted by
the Greek allies of Persia, and with enough to do to
defend themselves. The remainder of the Greek
army had retreated to Plateea and took no. part in
the battle.

The Persians, thrusting the spiked extremities of
their long shields in the ground, formed a breast-
work from which they poured showers of arrows on
the Spartan ranks, by which many were wounded or
slain. Yet, despite their distress, Pausanias would
not give the order to charge. He was at the old
work again, offering sacrifices while his men fell
around him. The responses were unfavorable, and
he would not fight.

At length the victims showed favorable signs.
“Charge!” was the word. With the fury of un-
chained lions the impatient hoplites sprang forward,
and like an avalanche the serried Spartan line fell
on the foe.

Down went the breastwork of shields. Down
went hundreds of Persians before the close array
and the long spears of the Spartans. Broken and
disordered, the Persians fought bravely, doing their
utmost to get to close quarters with their foes.
Mardonius, mounted on a white horse, and attended
by a body-guard of a thousand select troops, was
among the foremost warriors, and his followers dis-
tinguished themselves by their courage.

At length the spear of Acimnestus, a distinguished
Spartan, brought Mardonius dead to the ground.
His guards fell in multitudes around his body. The