Herodotus tells us that Xerxes held a council of war, at which the Persian general Mardonius tried to make light of the defeat: Sire, be not grieved nor greatly distressed because of what has befallen us.
Herodot fortæller, at Xerxes holdt et krigsråd, hvor den persiske general Mardonius forsøgte at bagatellisere nederlaget: Sire, være ikke sorgfuld eller meget pint af de som har ramt os.