The death of the popular Masistius in a skirmish, and unfavorable omens on both sides, delayed the s
The death of the popular Masistius in a skirmish, and unfavorable omens on both sides, delayed the start of this battle for eight days.  Then the poisoning of the Gargaphia spring forced the Greeks to move.  The subsequent retreat into the foothills of Mount Cithaeron prompted the Persians to attack, but the Spartan line held, and the Persian general was killed.  That general, Mardonius, was killed by Pausanius' forces in, FTP, what decisive Greek victory over the Persians in 479 BC?
The death of the popular Masistius in a skirmish, and unfavorable omens on both sides, delayed the start of this battle for eight days.  
Battle of Plataea [pluh-TEE-uh]