Meanwhile, Darius had prepared six hundred ships of war
and a vast number of transport- vessels to effect the invasion
of Greece. This fleet — a large portion of which was fur-
nished by the Greeks of Asia Minor, who were now once
more under the yoke of Persia — was collected at Samos in
the spring of 490 b. c. Hippias accompanied the expedition,
expecting to be restored to the throne of Athens. The gen-
erals in conmiand were Datis and Artaphemes — the former a
Mede of rank and experience, the latter a nephew of Darius.
Their instructions were to subdue and to impose tribute upon
all the Hellenic states that had not offered earth and water.
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Googk



142 THE PERSIAN WARS.
and especially to wreak vengeance on Eretria and Athens,
whose inhabitants they were to bring to Persia as slaves.
The commanders of the invading force never for a moment
doubted that they would be able to execute these orders to
the letter, and that before the end of the year numberless
captives would be conducted in mournful procession along
the high-road leading to Susa.
