|
And Themistocles succeeded in detaining the fleet in the way which I
will now relate. He made over to Eurybiades five talents out of the
thirty paid him, which he gave as if they came from himself; and
having in this way gained over the admiral, he addressed himself to
Adeimantus, the son of Ocytus, the Corinthian leader, who was the
only remonstrant now, and who still threatened to sail away from
Artemisium and not wait for the other captains. Addressing himself to
this man, Themistocles said with an oath - "Thou forsake us? By
no means! I will pay thee better for remaining than the Mede would
for leaving thy friends" - and straightway he sent on board the ship
of Adeimantus a present of three talents of silver. So these two
captains were won by gifts, and came over to the views of
Themistocles, who was thereby enabled to gratify the wishes of the
Euboeans. He likewise made his own gain on the occasion; for he kept
the rest of the money, and no one knew of it. The commanders who took
the gifts thought that the sums were furnished by Athens, and had been
sent to be used in this way.
|
|