Miltiades cut the ram’s throat with a sawing motion. As life fled, it kicked out and struck the altar stone, so that all the bowls trembled. Themistocles stepped in to help, gripping the ram’s fleece and guiding the stream of blood into the bowls. After a time, the two men opened the dead animal up in a great gash down the centre. Blood marked them to the elbows and spattered their faces. The soothsayers completed the task of cutting out the shining liver, placing that into a bowl for the most senior of their caste to examine.

‘He will be delighted,’ Epikleos said in a murmur at Xanthippus’ side. ‘He will never have seen such a good omen as this one.’

The words were spoken as the chief priest of Athens pointed to some aspect of the liver’s shape and beamed. The group of generals relaxed and Xanthippus nodded to himself, though he was annoyed at Epikleos for his irreverence. It did not do to mock such things. Xanthippus was reminded again that he had lost the eye of his shield. He found himself muttering a prayer to Apollo that he would keep his sight. The thought of being made blind filled him with fear as death itself could not. Perhaps it was because he could imagine being blind, while the reality of death was still beyond him.

Miltiades offered prayers and any idle talk died away as he began to lead the oath of Athenian hoplites. The men of Plataea stood with their heads bowed and their hands clasped in silent respect. Ten thousand voices spoke the words along with Miltiades, and Xanthippus felt his heart fill.

‘I shall not dishonour my spear and shield, nor leave the line. I will defend the sacred, and return the land stronger than I found it. I shall listen to those who command me – and obey the laws of my city. If anyone attempts to abolish them or threatens me, I shall not give way. I shall never give way. I honour the cults and the faiths. My witnesses are the gods: Ares and Athena, Zeus, Thallo, Auxo, Heracles. My witnesses are the boundaries of the land, and her wheat, barley, olives, figs and vines. My witnesses are those who stand with me today.’

They roared then – and those of Plataea joined them. When the last echoes of that great cheer had faded, Miltiades came to stand with the commanders in the part of the line that would become the left wing. Horns blew and the archon nodded to Xanthippus in greeting. Miltiades would march with them, the hoplites of his city. Scouts and messengers went out on horseback, ahead of the main column. The camp followers formed up behind, with servants and armourers, carts and waterskins and musicians. They would travel light and fast, with supplies to last for a single meal that evening, enough for those who lived. As for the rest, they would march on foot, together, towards the coast and the plain of Marathon.