But nearly a
century before the time of which we are now speaking they had deserted
the Thebans, whose rule was harsh and overbearing, and enrolled
themselves among the allies of Athens. On the eve of the battle of
Marathon, they had joined the Athenians with their whole force, a
thousand strong, and shared the peril and the honour of that glorious
day. Ten years later their city was laid in ruins by the army of
Xerxes, at the instigation of the Thebans; and in the following year
the great battle which ended the long struggle between Greece and
Persia was fought within sight of their shattered walls. In gratitude
for this great victory, the confederate Greeks under Pausanias
declared that the Plataean territory should be hallowed ground, and
swore a solemn oath to maintain the independence of the city. But the
Thebans had never forgotten or forgiven the secession of Plataea from
the confederacy of which they were the leaders; and seizing the
opportunity while the Athenians were occupied with measures for their
own safety, they made a treacherous attempt to gain possession of the
town.
On a dark and moonless night in the early spring three hundred armed
Thebans appeared before the gates of Plataea, which were opened to
them by a party of the citizens who favoured their design.
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