Having come to Sardis he proceeded first to send heralds to Hellas, to ask for earth and water, and also to give notice beforehand to prepare meals for the king; except that he sent neither to Athens nor Lacedaemon to ask for earth, but to all the other States: and the reason why he sent the second time to ask for earth and water was this⁠—as many as had not given at the former time to Darius when he sent, these he thought would certainly give now by reason of their fear: this matter it was about which he desired to have certain knowledge, and he sent accordingly.