nged to the Persian. To
this opinion the commanders of the other Peloponnesians adhered also.

109. When Themistocles perceived that he would not be able to persuade
them, or at least the greater number of them, to sail to the Hellespont,
he changed his counsel 75 and turning to the Athenians (for these were
grieved most at the escape of the enemy and were anxious to sail to the
Hellespont even by themselves alone, 76 if the others were not willing)
to them he spoke as follows: "I myself also have been present before now
on many occasions, and have heard of many more, on which something
of this kind came to pass, namely that men who were forced into great
straits, after they had been defeated fought again and repaired their
former disaster: and as for us, since we have won as a prize from
fortune the existence of ourselves and of Hellas by repelling from our
land so great a cloud of men, let us not pursue enemies who flee from
us: for of these things not we were the doors, but the gods and heroes,
who grudged that one man should become king of both Asia and of Europe,
and he a man unholy and presumptuous, one who made no difference between
things sacred and things profane, 77 burning and casting down the images
of the gods, and who also scourged the Sea and let down into it fetters.
But as things are at present, it is well that we should now remain in
Hellas and look after ourselves and our households; and let each man
repair his house, and have a care for sowing his land, after he has
completely driven away the Barbarian: and then at the beginning of
the spring let us sail down towards the Hellespont and Ionia." Thus he
spoke, intending to lay up for himself a store of gratitude with the
Persian, in order that if after all any evil should come upon him at the
hands of the Athenians, he might have a place of refuge: and this was in
fact that which came to pass.

110. Themistocles then speaking thus endeavoured to deceive them, and
the Athenians followed his advice: for he had had the reputation even in
former times of being a man of ability 78 and he had now proved himself
to be in truth both able and of good judgment; therefore they were ready
in every way to follow his advice when he spoke. So when these had been
persuaded by him, forthwith after this Themistocles sent men with a
vessel, whom he trusted to keep silence, to whatever test they might be
brought, of that which he himself charged them to tell the king; and