Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

So they're waiting, they pull the fleet back from Artemisia and they're waiting to see what the Spartans are going to do. But in very characteristic fashion, the Spartans are doing absolutely nothing. And as a result of that, the Athenians have to abandon Attica as well. So the Persians then just march straight on down into Attica. the Athenian territory and take the city because there is no one.

So they're waiting, they pull the fleet back from Artemisia and they're waiting to see what the Spartans are going to do. But in very characteristic fashion, the Spartans are doing absolutely nothing. And as a result of that, the Athenians have to abandon Attica as well. So the Persians then just march straight on down into Attica. the Athenian territory and take the city because there is no one.

So they're waiting, they pull the fleet back from Artemisia and they're waiting to see what the Spartans are going to do. But in very characteristic fashion, the Spartans are doing absolutely nothing. And as a result of that, the Athenians have to abandon Attica as well. So the Persians then just march straight on down into Attica. the Athenian territory and take the city because there is no one.

All of the Athenians have been evacuated almost and there's no one resisting them because they knew that alone they would not be able to stop this force.

All of the Athenians have been evacuated almost and there's no one resisting them because they knew that alone they would not be able to stop this force.

All of the Athenians have been evacuated almost and there's no one resisting them because they knew that alone they would not be able to stop this force.

Although, notably, he then also went up to the Acropolis and sacrificed to Athena.

Although, notably, he then also went up to the Acropolis and sacrificed to Athena.

Although, notably, he then also went up to the Acropolis and sacrificed to Athena.

Hedging his bets.

Hedging his bets.

Hedging his bets.

Well, it does fit this, what you've explained before about the way the Persians rule other places, right? I mean, they're perfectly happy to integrate in or assimilate into sort of local religious customs if it means that it makes them more acceptable.

Well, it does fit this, what you've explained before about the way the Persians rule other places, right? I mean, they're perfectly happy to integrate in or assimilate into sort of local religious customs if it means that it makes them more acceptable.

Well, it does fit this, what you've explained before about the way the Persians rule other places, right? I mean, they're perfectly happy to integrate in or assimilate into sort of local religious customs if it means that it makes them more acceptable.

Well, so there's a very interesting story there where, according to Herodotus, obviously, when they approached Delphi, the gods themselves, you know, Athena stood up and various heroes made an appearance. There's these epiphanies of... divine figures who are coming to the defense and there's landslides and things to stop them.

Well, so there's a very interesting story there where, according to Herodotus, obviously, when they approached Delphi, the gods themselves, you know, Athena stood up and various heroes made an appearance. There's these epiphanies of... divine figures who are coming to the defense and there's landslides and things to stop them.

Well, so there's a very interesting story there where, according to Herodotus, obviously, when they approached Delphi, the gods themselves, you know, Athena stood up and various heroes made an appearance. There's these epiphanies of... divine figures who are coming to the defense and there's landslides and things to stop them.

Most likely that's covering a story where the Persians never actually wanted to sack Delphi because they understand the value of local sanctuaries. When they captured Delos during the marathon campaign, they also made huge sacrifices there. and try to reassure the local population which had fled to another island. Like, we don't mean you any harm. We actually want to make sure that you understand.

Most likely that's covering a story where the Persians never actually wanted to sack Delphi because they understand the value of local sanctuaries. When they captured Delos during the marathon campaign, they also made huge sacrifices there. and try to reassure the local population which had fled to another island. Like, we don't mean you any harm. We actually want to make sure that you understand.