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Themistocles and his followers rejoiced immensely when the Persian retreat was apparent. After making certain that Xerxes and most of his forces had indeed gone, he resolved that they should return to Athens. The city was in ruins. All the temples were destroyed and the homes abandoned and in disrepair. Laboriously, they began its reconstruction. Their spirits high after the tremendous victory against all odds, the soldier returned to his civilian abilities and pursuits with renewed vigor.

Mardonius had retreated to the north, they knew. That gave the Athenians a respite. They worked peacefully and industriously, until they had made great progress toward the reconstruction of the temples. Most homes were promptly repaired as well.

Mardonius meanwhile, began negotiating, bribing and otherwise attempting to divide the Greeks. A tactic as old as time, he did everything he could to foster jealousy between one city and another. He kept at it for months, all through the winter. He knew that the northern cities were jealous of Athens and Sparta, as well as of each other. He knew they were the most susceptible to intrigue.

In the end, he succeeded in recruiting Thebes away from the Hellenic Confederacy, to help them in their fight against Athens. The Thebes were a formidable force of valiant men, a tough enemy for Athens. Fighting Greeks in addition to the barbaric hordes from Asia introduced a new dimension into this epic struggle for survival.

Mardonius continued his preparations, negotiations and bribing through the spring. When summer came, he began to march south. The Spartans were not ready to oppose them; neither were the Athenians.

A scant ten months after their reconstruction began, the Athenians were obliged to once more retreat to their vessels and abandon the city. It is not hard to imagine the sorrow they must have felt, seeing that all their hard labor had been for naught. Still, their survival demanded it and, as free, thinking citizens, they cooperated.

Mardonius reached a deserted Athens and his frustration knew no limit. This time, to vent his anger, he ordered the razing of the entire city, not only the religious buildings. Thus, practically every structure was totally destroyed during the Mardonius occupation.

After destroying Athens, he retreated toward Thebes. He knew that he could not reach the Athenians while they were in their ships and he decided to plan his assault on Sparta. Mardonius went to Plataea, a short distance from Thebes, where he built a wooden fort to house his army and provide means of defense, if necessary.

The Spartans continued their preparations. The Athenians took arms once more and prepared to march against Thebes, the toughest enemy yet encountered, as it was Greek against Greek. Having come this far and inspired by past victories, both the Spartans and the Athenians were certain of their ultimate victory. Their morale was high and the stake was survival. The Confederacy put together the largest force the Greeks ever assembled, estimated at between 100,000 and 110,000 men, under the command of the Spartan King Pausanius. They decided to wait no longer. Sparta marched toward Thebes, so did the Athenians, but as two separate armies, both supported and accompanied by their allies.

King Pausanius and his men marched a few days to Plataea, where they met the Persians in the field. During eleven days, the armies contemplated each other. Mardonius was not eager to attack; neither were the Spartans, they were offering sacrifice and waiting for a good omen. Pausanius realized that his water supply was scarce and ordered a retreat to resupply. This created disorder in the Greek forces and the three main divisions became separated as they retreated to higher ground.

To be continued…