Histories

That one is to the Lacedaemonians, this one to the seer:

1. This is a monument to the renowned Megistias,
2. Slain by the Medes who crossed the Spercheius river.
3. The seer knew well his coming doom,
4. But endured not to abandon the leaders of Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta.

Except for the seer's inscription, the Amphictyons are the ones who honored them by erecting inscriptions and pillars. That of the seer Megistias was inscribed by Simonides son of Leoprepes because of his tie of guest-friendship with the man.[*](As a matter of fact Simonides composed all three inscriptions; but the epitaph of Megistias was the only one which he made at his own cost.)

It is said that two of these three hundred, Eurytus and Aristodemus, could have agreed with each other either to come home safely together to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, since Leonidas had dismissed them from the camp and they were lying at Alpeni very sick of ophthalmia, or to die with the others, if they were unwilling to return home. They could have done either of these things, but they could not agree and had different intentions. When Eurytus learned of the Persians circuit, he demanded his armor and put it on, bidding his helot to lead him to the fighting. The helot led him there and fled, but he rushed into the fray and was killed. Aristodemus, however, lost his strength and stayed behind.

Now if Aristodemus alone had been sick and returned to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, or if they had both made the trip, I think the Spartans would not have been angry with them. When, however, one of them died, and the other had the same excuse but was unwilling to die, the Spartans had no choice but to display great anger towards Aristodemus.