XERXES receiued from his father, as hereditarie, a double Warre; one to be made against the Aegypti∣ans, which he finished so speedily, that there is no∣thing remaining in writing how the same was per∣formed: the other against the Graecians; of which it is hard to judge, whether the preparations were more terrible, or the successe ridiculous. In the con∣sultation for the prosecution of this Warre, which was chiefely bent against the Athenians, the Princes [unspec 20] of Persia were diuided in opinion. Mardonius, who had formerly commaunded in Thrace and Macedon, vnder Darius, and had also Hystaspes for his grandfather, as Xerxes had, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Xerxes his sister Artozostres, perswaded by many arguments the Europaean warre. But Artabanus, brother to the late Darius, and vncle to Xerxes, maintained the contrarie counsell, laying before Xerxes the lamentable and ridiculous successe of the two late inuasions, which Darius had made contrarie to his counsell: The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in person vpon the Scythians, the other by his Lieutenants vpon the Greekes; in each of which Darius left to his enemies both his Armie and his honour.
He therefore besought Xerxes to be right well aduised before he did too farre [unspec 30] imbarke himselfe in this businesse. For whatsoeuer vndertaking hath deliberate and sound counsell for conductor, though the successe doe not alwayes answere the pro∣babilitie, yet hath Fortune nothing else thereof to vaunt, than the variablenesse of her owne nature, which only the diuine Prouidence, and not any humane power, can constraine.
But so obstinate was the resolution of Xerxes in prosecution of his former intent, that Artabanus, whether terrified by Visions (as it is written of him) or fearing the Kings hatred, which hee made knowne to all those that opposed his desire to this Warre. (changing opinion & counsell) assisted the graecian Expedition with all the power he had. [unspec 40]
After the Warre of Aegypt was ended, foure yeeres were consumed in describing and gathering an Armie for this inuasion: which being compounded of all Nati∣ons subject to the Persian Empire, consisted of seuenteene hundred thousand foot,* 1.1 and eightie thousand horsemen, besides Chariots, Camels, and other Beasts for Carriage, if we may beleeue Herodotus: for of this multitude, Trogus findes the numberlesse by seuen hundred thousand footmen.
The Commaunders of the seuerall Nations were the Princes of the bloud of Persia, either by marriage in the Kings house, or otherwise: for to these were all commaundements of this nature giuen, some few people excepted, who had of their owne leaders. [unspec 50]
The charge of the whole Armie was bestowed on Mardonius, the sonne of Go∣bryas by a sister of Darius, to whom were joyned some others of Xerxes his neerest kindred, as Generals ouer all; sauing that the charge of tenne thousand select Per∣sians, called the immortall Regiment (because if any one of the whole number died