Histories

It was the Phocians [*](It is to be noted that in 480 the pass of +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae was no longer in Phocian territory.) who built it for fear of the Thessalians when these came from +Nomo Thesprotias [20.333,39.5] (department), Epirus, Greece, Europe Thesprotia to dwell in the Aeolian land, the region which they now possess. Since the Thessalians were trying to subdue them, the Phocians made this their protection, and in their search for every means to keep the Thessalians from invading their country, they then turned the stream from the hot springs into the pass, so that it might be a watercourse.

The ancient wall had been built long ago and most of it lay in ruins; those who built it up again thought that they would in this way bar the foreigner's way into Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas. Very near the road is a village called Alpeni, and it is from here that the Greeks expected to obtain provisions.

These places, then, were thought by the Greeks to suit their purpose. After making a thorough survey, they concluded that the barbarians could not make use of their entire army, nor of their horsemen. They therefore resolved, that they would meet the invader of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas here. Then, when they heard that the Persian was in +Pieria [22.416,40.25] (department), Macedonia, Greece, Europe Pieria, they broke up from the Isthmus and set out with their army to +Thermopylae [22.5583,38.8] (Perseus) Thermopylae and with their fleet to +Artemisium [23.2417,39.0083] (Perseus) Artemisium.