He was encouraged to attack the Greek cities by the Pynastratids and the Thessalian Aleads. Initially, he had to deal with suppressing revolts in Egypt and Babylon, but from 484 BC he began preparations for an invasion. On the planned route for the passage of troops through Thrace and Macedonia, he ordered the placement of warehouses with supplies for the great army. He ordered the Athos peninsula to be dug up so that ships would not have to sail too far from land. Across the Hellespont Strait (the former name of the Dardanelles Strait formed from the name of the mythical Helle) he ordered a bridge to be thrown.
