History of the Peloponnesian War

But Themistocles, forewarned, fled from the Peloponnesus to Corcyra, since he was a benefactor[*](εὐεργέτης, benefactor, a title of honour bestowed upon him, either because he took the part of the Corcyreans in a dispute with Corinth (Plut. Them. 24), or because he had excused their absence (Schol.) in the Persian war (Hdt. 8.115). Themistocles relied upon the right of asylum, which had doubtless been decreed him as εὐεργέτης.) of the Corcyraeans. As they, however, alleged that they were afraid to keep him and thus incur the enmity of the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, he was conveyed by them across to the mainland opposite.

And being pursued by those who had been appointed to the task, according as they could learn the course he was taking, he was forced in some strait to take lodging with Admetus, king of the Molossians, who was not friendly to him.

Admetus happened not to be at home, but Themistocles approached his wife as a suppliant and was instructed by her to take their child and seat himself on the hearth.

And when Admetus returned after a short time, Themistocles declared who he was and urged that, if he had ever opposed any request Admetus had made to the Athenians, he ought not to take vengeance on him when a fugitive; for in his present plight he might come to harm at the hands of a far weaker man than Admetus, whereas the noble thing to do was to take vengeance on fair terms upon equals. Besides, he added, he had opposed Admetus merely in the matter of a petition and not of his personal safety; whereas Admetus, if he gave him up to his pursuers (telling who these were and what the charge against him), would deprive him of the salvation of his life.