the bad, for they thought the wild beasts struggle with one another, but
it is fitting for men to define justice by law, and to obey argument, and
to serve these by their actions ruled by law and taught by argument.

20. So being of noble descent and of one mind, the ancestors of these who
lie here did many brave and wonderful things, and their descendants
everywhere left by their valor everlasting memorials of themselves. For
in behalf of all Greece they risked their lives before the countless
hordes of barbarians. 21. For the king of Asia, not satisfied with his
own fortunes, but hoping to enslave Europe, sent an army of five hundred
thousand. And thinking, if they could make this city a willing ally or
subdue against its will, they would easily reduce the rest of Greece,
they went to Marathon, believing that the Greeks would be deserted by
their allies, if they should bring on the conflict while Greece was still
undecided how it was best to ward off the invaders. 22. And still such an
opinion prevailed among them about the city from the previous conflicts,
that they believed if they should advance against another city, they
would contend with both that and the Athenians; for these would eagerly
come to aid the oppressed; but if they should come here first, no other
Greeks would dare by aiding others to bring on themselves open hostility
(for the sake of the Athenians). 23. These then were their plans; but our
ancestors, taking no account of the dangers in war, but believing that
glorious death left immortal testimony to good deeds, did not fear the
multitudes of the enemy, but trusted their own valor. And being ashamed
that the barbarians were in their country, they did not wait for their
allies to learn of the matter and aid them, and they did not think they
ought to be indebted for their rescue to others, but the other Greeks to
them. 24. With one accord they rushed forward, few against many; for they
believed death was theirs in common with all men, and they were brave
with only a few, and on account of death their lives were not their own,