Histories

When Themistocles put forward this interpretation, the Athenians judged him to be a better counsellor than the readers of oracles, who would have had them prepare for no sea fight, and, in short, offer no resistance at all, but leave Attica [23.5,38.83] (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Attica and settle in some other country.

The advice of Themistocles had prevailed on a previous occasion. The revenues from the mines at +Lavrion [24.5,37.716] (inhabited place), Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Laurium [*](Silver, lead, and perhaps copper mines in Attica [23.5,38.83] (department), Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Attica, from which the state drew an annual revenue. Apparently when this exceeded the usual amount the general public received a largess. Even if the population numbered 30,000 (cp. Hdt. 5.97) ten drachmae per head would be only 50 talents; far too small a sum for the building of 200 ships; Herodotus cannot mean more than that the +Lavrion [24.5,37.716] (inhabited place), Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Laurium money was a contribution towards a ship-building fund.) had brought great wealth into the Athenians' treasury, and when each man was to receive ten drachmae for his share, Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to make no such division but to use the money to build two hundred ships for the war, that is, for the war with +Aegina [23.433,37.75] (inhabited place), Aegina, Attica, Central Greece and Euboea, Greece, Europe Aegina.

This was in fact the war the outbreak of which saved Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas by compelling the Athenians to become seamen. The ships were not used for the purpose for which they were built, but later came to serve Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas in her need. These ships, then, had been made and were already there for the Athenians' service, and now they had to build yet others.

In their debate after the giving of the oracle they accordingly resolved that they would put their trust in the god and meet the foreign invader of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas with the whole power of their fleet, ships and men, and with all other Greeks who were so minded.

These oracles, then, had been given to the Athenians. All the Greeks who were concerned about the general welfare of Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas met in conference and exchanged guarantees. They resolved in debate to make an end of all their feuds and wars against each other, whatever the cause from which they arose; among others that were in course at that time, the greatest was the war between the Athenians and the Aeginetans.

Presently, learning that Xerxes was at Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis with his army, they planned to send men into Asia (continent)Asia to spy out the king's doings and to despatch messengers, some to Argos [22.7333,37.6417] (Perseus) Argos, who should make the Argives their brothers in arms against the Persian, some to Gelon son of Dinomenes in Sicily [14,37.5] (region), Italy, Europe Sicily, some to +Corfu [19.916,39.633] (inhabited place), Corfu, Kerkira, Ionian Islands, Greece, Europe Corcyra, praying aid for Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas, and some to +Crete [25,35.166] (region), Greece, Europe Crete. This they did in the hope that since the danger threatened all Greeks alike, all of Greek blood might unite and work jointly for one common end. Now the power of Gelon was said to be very great, surpassing by far any power in Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas.