In light of Alexander's warning the Greeks regrouped at the Isthmus and tried to decide on a plan of attack that would be most efficient for their small size. They decided to guard "the pass at Thermopylae, on the grounds that it was narrower than the pass into Thessaly and at the same time nearer home (VII, 175)." By holding the pass they would be preventing the Persians from entering Greece They could also then send their fleet to Artemisium where they could engage the Persian fleet while maintaining communication with the army. The topography of both areas suited the small Greek contingent. "Artemisium is where the sea south of Thrace contracts into a narrow channel..pass through this channel. . . to the strip of coast called Artemisium (VII, 176)." The pass at Thermopylae from Trachis into Greece is "fifty feet wide; elsewhere both east and west of Thermopylae, it is still narrower (VII, 176)." These places were chosen after careful thought with "the realization that the Persians would be unable, in the narrow pass, to use their cavalry or take advantage of their numbers (VII, 177)." With Greece preparing to make a stand for freedom the Delphians went to the oracle asking for advice. They spread the news to pray for the wind as "they will be good allies to Greece (VII, 178)" according to the oracle.
