What happened to Mardonius at the Battle of Plataea?

After the Persian defeat at the Battle of Salamis, King Xerxes I returned to Asia, leaving his general Mardonius in command of the remaining Persian forces in Greece.12

During the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE, Mardonius attempted to exploit a tactical opening when the Greek forces became disorganized during a nighttime maneuver. He launched an offensive against the Greek hoplite infantry, but the Greeks eventually gained the upper hand in close-quarters combat. Mardonius was killed in action while fighting the Spartans. His death left the Persian army leaderless, leading to a chaotic retreat and a decisive victory for the Greek alliance.2