sea, he asked Demaratus, if he thought the Grecians would dare to expect him. I have already taken notice, that this Demaratus was one of the two kings of Sparta, who, being exiled by the faction of his enemies, had taken refuge at the Persian court, where he was entertained with the greatest marks of honour and beneficence. *As the courtiers were one day expressing their surprise that a king should suffer himself to be banished, and desired him to acquaint them with the reason of it: "It is," says he, "because the law is more powerful "than the kings at Sparta." This prince was very much considered in Persia: but neither the injustice of the Spartan citizens, nor the kind treatment of the Persian king, could make him forget his country t. As soon as he knew that Xerxes was making preparations for the war, he found means to give the Grecians secret intelligence of it and now, being obliged on this occasion to speak his sentiments to the king, he did it with such a noble freedom and dignity, as became a Spartan, and a king of Sparta.

66

Demaratus, before he answered the king's question desired to know whether it was his pleasure that he should flatter him, or that he should speak his thoughts to him freely and truly. Xerxes having declared that he desired him to act with entire sincerity, he spoke in the following terms: "Great "prince," says Demaratus, "since it is agreeable to your plea66 sure and commands, I shall deliver my sentiments to you "with the utmost truth and sincerity. It must be confessed, "that, from the beginning of time, Greece has been trained up, and accustomed to poverty: but then she has introduc❝ed and established virtue within her territories, which wis"dom cultivates, and the vigour of her laws maintains. And "it is by the use which Greece knows how to make of this"virtue that she equally defends herself against the inconveni"encies of poverty, and the yoke of servitude. But, to speak "only of the Lacedæmonians, my particular countrymen, you 66 may assure yourself, that as they are born and bred up in li66 berty, they will never hearken to any proposals that tend to slavery. Though they were deserted and abandoned by all "the other Grecians, and reduced to a band of 1000 men, or " even to a more inconsiderable number, they will still come "out to meet you, and not refuse to give you battle." Xerxes, upon hearing this discourse, fell a laughing; and as he could

* Plut. in Apoph. Lacon. p. 220.

† Amicior patriæ post fugim, quam regi post beneficia. Justin. Herod. 1. vii. c. 101-105.

not comprehend how men in such a state of liberty and independence, as the Lacedæmonians were described to enjoy, who had no master to force and compel them to it, could be capable of exposing themselves in such a manner to danger and death; Demaratus replied, "The Spartans indeed are "free, and under no subjection to the will of any man; but at "the same time they have laws, to which they are subject, "and of which they stand in greater awe than your subjects ❝do of your majesty. Now, by these laws they are forbid ever "to fly in battle, let the number of their enemies be ever Ce so superior; and are commanded, by abiding firm in their "post, either to conquer or to die."

Xerxes was not offended at the liberty wherewith Demaratus spoke to him, and continued his march.

SECTION IV,

THE LACEDÆMONIANS AND ATHENIANS SEND TO THEIR ALLIES IN VAIN TO REQUIRE SUCCOURS FROM THEM. -THE COMMAND OF THE FLEET IS GIVEN TO THE

LACEDEMONIANS.

LACEDÆMON † and Athens, which were the two most powerful cities of Greece, and the cities against which Xerxes was most exasperated, were not indolent or asleep, whilst so formidable an enemy was approaching. Having received intelligence long before, of the designs of this prince they had sent spies to Sardis, in order to have a more exact information of the number and quality of his forces. These spies were seized, and as they were just going to be put to death, Xerxes countermanded it, and gave orders that they should be conducted through his army, and then sent back without any harm being done to them. At their return, the Grecians understood what they had to apprehend from so potent an enemy.

They sent deputies at the same time to Argos, into Sicily to Gelon tyrant of Syracuse, to the isles of Corcyra and Crete, to desire succours from them, and to form a league against the common enemy.

The people of Argos offered a very considerable succour, on condition they should have an equal share of the authority and command with the Lacedæmonians. The latter consem ed, that the king of Argos shonld have the same authority as either of the two kings of Sparta. This was granting them

*Herod. 1. vii. c. 145, 146. VOL. III.

† Ibid.
C

#Ibid. c. 148-152.

23

aileys Atheni the end of

the begin which it was From that very Superiority over mistress of all dient to make the Giving very plainly, no other way to renormidable to her eneng the people in spite difference of opinion bability there was, that fighting at sea, and that and arming very small vesd so formidable a power as both a numerous land army,

silver mines in a part of Attica evenues and products of which gst them. Themistocles had the ople, that they should abolish these that money in building vessels with order to make war upon the people he endeavoured to inflame their anple are ever willing to sacrifice their general utility of the public: for they nerosity or public spirit, as to purchase ation of the state at their own expence. e, however, did it upon this occasion: emonstrances of Themistocles, they coney which arose from the product of the mployed in the building of 100 galleys. of Xerxes they doubled the number, and ce owed its preservation.

came to the point of naming a general for the navy, the Athenians, who alone had furnished f it, laid claim to that honour, as appertaintheir pretensions were certainly just and well ppened,however,that the suffrages of the allies

mist. p. 113.

Herod. 1. viii. c. 213.

On

"extreme danger the commonwealth was exposed to, were "6 arguments of such weight, that they prevented any one "from being offended at a conduct which might appear to "be contrary to rules, and removed all suspicion of Fabius's "having acted upon any motive of interest or ambition. "the contrary the public admired his generosity and great"ness of soul, in that, as he knew the commonwealth had "occasion for an accomplished general, and could not be ig"norant or doubtful of his own singular merit in that respect, "he had chosen rather in some sort to hazard his own reputa❝tion, and perhaps expose his character to the reproaches of "envious tongues, than to be wanting in any service he could "render his country."

* The Athenians also passed a decree to recal home all their people that were in banishment. They were afraid lest Aristidies should join their enemies, and lest his credit should carry over a great many others to the side of the barbarians. But they had a very false notions of their citizen, who was infinitely remote from such sentiments. Be that as it would, on this extraordinary juncture they thought fit to recal him; and Themistocles was so far from opposing the decree for that purpose, that he promoted it with all his credit and authority, The hatred and division of these great men had nothing in them of that implacable, bitter, and outrageous spirit, which prevailed among the Romans in the latter times of the repub lic. The danger of the state was the means of their reconciliation, and when their service was necessary to the preservation of the republic, they laid aside all their jealousy and rancour: and we shall see, by the sequel, that Aristides was so far from secretly thwarting his ancient rival, that he zealously contributed to the success of his enterprises, and to the advancement of his glory.

The alarm increased in Greece in proportion as they received advice that the Persian army advanced. If the Athenians and Lacedæmonians had been able to make no other resistance than with their land-forces, Greece had been utterly ruined and reduced to slavery. This exigence taught them how to set a right value upon the prudent foresight of The

consulem haberet. Quin laudabant potius magnitudinem animi, quod, cum summo imperatore esse opus reip. sciret, seque eum haud dubie esse, minoris invidiam suam, si qua ex re oriretur, quam utilitatem reip. fecisset. Liv. 1. xxiv. n. 9.

*Plut. in Arist.p. 322, 323.