Finally, in mid-August, the Persian army was sighted across the Malian Gulf approaching Thermopylae.Holland, pp. 269–270 With the Persian army's arrival at Thermopylae the Greeks held a council of war. Some Peloponnesians suggested withdrawal to the Isthmus of Corinth and blocking the passage to Peloponnesus. The Phocians and Locrians, whose states were located nearby, became indignant and advised defending Thermopylae and sending for more help. Leonidas calmed the panic and agreed to defend Thermopylae.Herodotus VII, 207 According to Plutarch, when one of the soldiers complained that, "Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun", Leonidas replied, "Won't it be nice, then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?"Plutarch, /main.html Apophthegmata Laconica, section "Leonidas, son of Anaxandridas", saying 6, Vol. III of the Loeb Classical Library edition, 1931 Herodotus reports a similar comment, but attributes it to Dienekes.
Finally in mid-August the Persian army was sighted across the Malian Gulf approaching ThermopylaeHolland pp 269–270 With the Persian army's arrival at Thermopylae the Greeks held a council of war Some Peloponnesians suggested withdrawal to the Isthmus of Corinth and blocking the passage to Peloponnesus The Phocians and Locrians whose states were located nearby became indignant and advised defending Thermopylae and sending for more help Leonidas calmed the panic and agreed to defend ThermopylaeHerodotus VII 207 According to Plutarch when one of the soldiers complained that "Because of the arrows of the barbarians it is impossible to see the sun" Leonidas replied "Won't it be nice then if we shall have shade in which to fight them"Plutarch /mainhtml Apophthegmata Laconica section "Leonidas son of Anaxandridas" saying 6 Vol III of the Loeb Classical Library edition 1931 Herodotus reports a similar comment but attributes it to Dienekes