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The Athenians, upon the return of Miltiades from Paros, had much
debate concerning him; and Xanthippus, the son of Ariphron, who
spoke more freely against him than all the rest, impleaded him before
the people, and brought him to trial for his life, on the charge of
having dealt deceitfully with the Athenians. Miltiades, though he
was present in court, did not speak in his own defence; for his thigh
had begun to mortify, and disabled him from pleading his cause. He
was forced to lie on a couch while his defence was made by his friends,
who dwelt at most length on the fight at Marathon, while they made
mention also of the capture of Lemnos, telling how Miltiades took the
island, and, after executing vengeance on the Pelasgians, gave up
his conquest to Athens. The judgment of the people was in his favour
so far as to spare his life; but for the wrong he had done them they
fined him fifty talents. Soon afterwards his thigh completely
gangrened and mortified: and so Miltiades died; and the fifty talents
were paid by his son Cimon.
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