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.