Histories

At sunrise Xerxes poured a libation from a golden phial into the sea, praying to the sun that no accident might befall him which would keep him from subduing Europe (continent)Europe before he reached its farthest borders. After the prayer, he cast the phial into the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont, and along with it a golden bowl, and a Persian sword which they call “acinaces.”[*](Sometimes translated “scimitar”; but that is, I believe, a curved weapon, whereas the a)kina/khs appears to have been a short, straight dagger.)

As for these, I cannot rightly determine whether he cast them into the sea for offerings to the sun, or repented having whipped the Canakkale Bogazi (strait), Canakkale, Marmara, Turkey, Asia Hellespont and gave gifts to the sea as atonement.

When they had done this they crossed over, the foot and horse all by the bridge nearest to the Black Sea [38,42] (sea) Pontus, the beasts of burden and the service train by the bridge towards the Aegean Sea [25,38.5] (sea) Aegean.

The ten thousand Persians, all wearing garlands, led the way, and after them came the mixed army of diverse nations. All that day these crossed; on the next, first crossed the horsemen and the ones who carried their spears reversed; these also wore garlands.