234. Thus did the Hellenes at Thermopylai contend in fight; and Xerxes summoned Demaratos and inquired of him, having first said this: “Demaratos, thou art a good man; and this I conclude by the truth of thy words, for all that thou saidest turned out so as thou didst say. Now, however, tell me how many in number are the remaining Lacedaemonians, and of them how many are like these in matters of war; or are they so even all of them?” He said: “O king, the number of all the Lacedaemonians is great and their cities are many, but that which thou desirest to learn, thou shalt know. There is in Lacedaemon the city of Sparta, having about eight thousand men; and these are all equal to those who fought here: the other Lacedaemonians are not equal to these, but they are good men too.” To this Xerxes said: “Demaratos, in what manner shall we with least labour get the better of these men? Come set forth to us this; for thou knowest the courses of their counsels, 1205 seeing that thou wert once their king.” 235.