01 OVERNIGHT

The Greek centre falls back towards Plataea. The plan is for the whole army to reform on a shorter front, overlapping with their first-day position but running west from the exit to the pass to the eastern side of the ruins of Plataea. The right is (allegedly) held up by Amompharetus’ refusal to retreat and the left stays put as requested by Pausanias.

02 DAWN

The Greek right finally moves leaving Amompharetus and his unit behind, but pauses some way short of its intended position. Pausanias requests the Greek left link up with his left.

03 PERSIAN CAVALRY ADVANCES

The Persian cavalry (coming from left and right of the fort), observing the Greek right has abandoned its position, probes forward and attacks it from all sides just as Amompharetus’ unit rejoins it.

04 GREEK VERSUS GREEK

The Greek troops on the Persian right track the Greek left, cross the river and attack over the flatter ground, Theban and Athenian hoplites colliding.

05 SPARTANS ARE HARD PRESSED

The massed archer-spearmen on the Persian left cross the river and advance to form up opposite the Greek right and take over the archery bombardment from the cavalry. The cavalry withdraws. Pausanias waits.

06 PAUSANIAS COUNTERS

Pausanias finally attacks, but by now the Persian centre divisions have crowded in behind Mardonius’ left, boxing it in. After fierce hand-to-hand fighting Mardonius falls and the Spartans break the Persian infantry, starting a general rout back across the river to the fort. The Persian cavalry provides the retreat with some cover before heading north to escape to Asia with a few thousand of the best infantry. The Athenians on the Greek left are also victorious, and the Thebans fall back behind their city walls.

07 GREEKS PURSUE

The Greek centre breaks ranks to join in the rout but is intercepted by the Persians’ Greek cavalry and sustains casualties.