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Themistocles had before this given a counsel which prevailed very
seasonably. The Athenians, having a large sum of money in their
treasury, the produce of the mines at Laureium, were about to share
it among the full-grown citizens, who would have received ten drachmas
apiece, when Themistocles persuaded them to forbear the distribution,
and build with the money two hundred ships, to help them in their war
against the Eginetans. It was the breaking out of the Eginetan war
which was at this time the saving of Greece; for hereby were the
Athenians forced to become a maritime power. The new ships were not
used for the purpose for which they had been built, but became a help
to Greece in her hour of need. And the Athenians had not only these
vessels ready before the war, but they likewise set to work to build
more; while they determined, in a council which was held after the
debate upon the oracle, that, according to the advice of the god,
they would embark their whole force aboard their ships, and, with such
Greeks as chose to join them, give battle to the barbarian invader.
Such, then, were the oracles which had been received by the Athenians.
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