The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

CHAP. XII.

The Malice of the Lacedemonians against Themistocles, and his Banishment. His Praise.

THE next Year Praxiergus being Archon of Athens, Aulus Virgilius Tri∣costus, * 1.1 and C. Servilius, Roman Consuls; the Eleans who before lived dis∣pers'd in several little Villages, now imbody'd themselves into one City, call'd Elis. The Lacedemonians observing how Sparta was contemn'd and evil spoken of by reason of the Treachery of Pausanias, and how the Name of Athens grew famous for their Loyalty and Faithfulness one to another, endeavour'd all they could to stain the Athenians with the same Blot of Ignominy. And therefore for as much as Themistocles was a Man of great Repute and Esteem amongst the Athenians, they accuse him of Treason, as if he consulted with Pausanias how * 1.2 to betray Greece to Xerxes. And the more to provoke the Enemies of Themisto∣cles, and to stir them up to accuse him, they made use both of Bribes and false Insinuations, affirming that Pausanias discover'd his Treasonable Design of be∣traying Greece unto Themistocles, and solicited him to join with him both in Counsel and aid other ways: But though Themistocles would not then agree to do that, yet he did not look upon himself obliged to discover his Friend. How∣ever (notwithstanding the Potency of his Adversaries) Themistocles was clearly ac∣quitted, * 1.3 and his Name grew more famous amongst the Athenians, for he was greatly beloved by the Citizens for the former eminent Services he had done the Commonwealth. But afterwards (when by reason of his Popularity, he be∣came suspected by some, and envy'd by others) unmindful of his former De∣serts) they determin'd both to weaken his Authority, and to bring down the height of his Spirit. In the first place therefore, they Ba∣nish'd him the City, by the Judgment of Ostracism. This * 1.4 Law was instituted at Athens, after the Tyrants were ex∣pell'd out of the City by Pisistratus: And the Law was thus; Every Citizen writ the Name of him in a Shell, whom they * 1.5 most suspected to be in a capacity. (by reason of his Power and Interest) to overturn the Popular Government; and he whose Name was writ in most of the Shells, was forthwith Banished for the space of Five Years. And this Law was used at Athens, not so much as a punishment for any particu∣lar * 1.6 Offence, as to humble the Spirits of proud and aspiring Men, and by their Banishment to reduce them to more Moderation and Submission.

Themistocles thus banish'd from his Country, went to Argos; which when known by the Lacedemonians (supposing now they had a fair opportunity to ruin him,) they sent again Embassadors to Athens, to accuse him as being in Conspiracy with Pausanias in his Treason; alledging that those Injuries which did concern all Greece in general, should not be determin'd by the Athenians only, but by a Common Council of Greece, which was wont upon such occasions to be assem∣bled at Sparta. Themistocles considering that the Lacedemonians were resolv'd to expose the Athenians to Shame and Contempt, and that they of Athens were as ready to oppose them, in defending their Country against the Crime objected, he concluded that the matter concerning him, would be agreed to be heard in a Common and General Assembly of the Grecians at Sparta: And he had had ex∣perience, that the Lacedemonians were guided more by Interest and Favour, than by the Rules of Justice, as by a late Experiment was apparent in a Judgment they lately gave, in a Cause between them of Argos and Athens: For they that were Judges in that Assembly, were so envious against the Athenians, that though the Athenians provided more Ships for the late War, than all the Grecians be∣side; * 1.7 yet they judg'd them worthy of no more Honour than any of the rest of the Greeks: For these Reasons he judg'd it not advisable to trust to that Assem∣bly at Sparta; for from his late defence made at Athens, they took occasion to renew their Accusation; for in his Justification he had confess'd he had received Letters from Pausanias, to perswade him to joyn with him in his Treason, con∣ceiving this would be a strong Argument for the support of his Innocency; in

as much as it might be concluded, that Pausanias would never have used such earnest intreaty, unless he had before disallow'd of Pausanias his Treasonable Designs.

For these Reasons, Themistocles fled to Admeius King of the * 1.8 Molossians, and at his Court humbly prayed for Protection. The King at the first receiv'd him courteously, and promis'd that he would take care of his safety: But when the Lacedemonians sent some of the Nobility to him to demand Themistocles, calling him Traytor, and the ruin of Greece, and denouncing War against the King by all the Grecians, unless he did deliver him: The King at length mov'd with their Threats, and yet pitying his late Suppliant on the one hand, and desiring to a∣void the imputation of ignominy, of harbouring a Traitor on the other hand, advis'd Themistocles with all speed to be gone as privately as he could, and fur∣nish'd him with a great Sum of Money for his support in his Flight. Having receiv'd the Money, and all other Supplies necessary, provided by the King for * 1.9 him, he fled in the Night from the Molossians, and finding Two Young Mer∣chants of Liguria, who were well acquainted with the Voyage, he fled with them, and by the advantage of the Night, and the unwearied care and industry of the Two Young Men, he deceiv'd the Lacedemonians, and came safe into Asia, * 1.10 where he had a special Friend call'd Lysithedas, a Man of great wealth and interest, and with him he abode. This Man was in great favour with Xerxes the Persian * 1.11 King, and had nobly entertain'd his whole Army as they pass'd that way: By which means he became very familiar and endear'd to the King. The Man pity∣ing the present condition of Themistocles, endeavour'd all he could to prefer him, and promis'd to do him all the service that was in his power.

But when Themistocles desir'd him to bring him to the King; he at first re∣fused, alledging if he did, the King would take off his Head, because he had done so much Mischief to the Persians. Yet when he found that Themistocles was in earnest and pressing, he yielded to him, and in a short time, procur'd him a safe Conduct into Persia. It was a Custom there, that when any of the King's Con∣cubines * 1.12 were brought to him, they were carried in a Chariot close cover'd, and it was not lawful for any, either to spie or inquire who was so carried. Lysi∣theidas made use of this to effect what he design'd, for he procur'd a Chariot sumptuously adorn'd with Flags and Streamers, and put Themistocles into it, and with all secresie brought him safe to the King; who had first promis'd Lysithei∣das * 1.13 in private, that none should do him any Injury. After he came into the King's presence, and in an elegant and fluent Discourse, had satisfied him, that he had not been any ways injurious to the Persians, he was fairly discharg'd and acquitted. And being thus safe by the favour of an Enemy, he fell presently into a new and far greater danger, which was thus—

Mandona, the Daughter of Darius that destroy'd the Magi, and Sister of Xerxes, * 1.14 was of high esteem among the Persians; she lost all her Children in the Sea-Fight, where the Persians were routed; which she could not bear without great trouble, which mov'd all to pity her: She hearing that Themistocles was come to Court, in a Mourning Habit, and with many Tears, petitioned the King her Brother, that he would kill Themistocles; but not being able to prevail, she solicited the Nobility to the same purpose, and at length rais'd a tumultuous Multitude, to demand Justice against him; who rush'd with great Clamours and Noise into the Palace, crying out for Justice against Themistocles. The King told the No∣bility, that he would call a Senate, and whatever they ordered should be effected. Themistocles had time sufficient given him to prepare for his Trial; within which time he perfectly learnt the Persian Language, and did so manage and plead his own Cause before the Senate, that he was acquitted both of Guilt and * 1.15 Punishment.

The King rejoic'd at his Discharge, and honour'd him with many rich Gifts: For he gave to him in Marriage a Virtuous Persian Lady, of Noble Birth, and ex∣cellent Beauty: And order'd him many Servants to wait upon him, and gave him all sorts of drinking Vessels, and * 1.16 things for daily use, not only for necessity, but for delight and pleasure. He bestow'd likewise upon him, Three Cities for his Support and Maintainance: Magnesia near the River Meander (the richest City of Asia for Corn) to provide him Bread. Mynutes for

Meat and Victuals, being near the Sea, where much Fish was caught; and Lamp∣sacus full of Vines for his Drink.

Themistocles now free from all fear of the Grecians (by whom he was undeserved∣ly banish'd after all the good Services he had done for them, and richly pro∣vided for by them, whom he had afflicted with grievous Slaughters,) lived in these Cities with great plenty of all things. At length he died at Magnesia, * 1.17 where he was Buried, and a Sumptuous Monument there set up for him, which remains to this day.

Xerxes long'd to renew the War against Greece, and requir'd Themistocles to * 1.18 be General of the Army: Who assented, upon Condition that Xerxes would swear that he would not undertake the War without him. Upon which a Bull was sacrifi'd, and at the Solemnity the King swore accordingly. Then Themi∣stocles drunk off a Cup of the Bull's Blood, and immediately fell down Dead.

Thus was Xerxes diverted, and Themistocles (by the manner of his Death) left behind him a remarkable Evidence of his Sincerity in the Management of the Affairs of his Country.

And now we are come to the Death of the bravest Man amongst the Gre∣cians, of whom it may be justly doubted whether he fled to the Persians, with * 1.19 the stain of any Guilt or Treachery against his Country, but rather believ'd that the Athenians and the rest of the Grecians, ingrateful for all the good Services he had done, forc'd him most unjustly into extream Hardships and Dangers. For if we impartially and without Envy, examine the Temper and Actions of the Man, we cannot but judge him in every respect, to be the bravest and most accomplished Person of any we have before mention'd. Therefore it may be justly admir'd, that the Athenians should wilfully deprive themselves of so ex∣cellent a Person: For when Sparta was in greatest power above all the other Ci∣ties, and Eurybiades the Spartan was High Admiral of the Fleet, who but he by his Counsels and Management, robb'd all the Spartans of their Glory? Whom have we ever heard of that by one Action did accomplish that which advanc'd his Honour above all Generals, and his City above all Greece, and Greece it self a∣bove all the Barbarians? What General ever had less Advantages, and yet sub∣ject to greater and more eminent Dangers? Who ever obtain'd so glorious a Victory, opposing the combin'd strength of all Asia, with the Citizens of a poor ruin'd City? Who ever advanc'd his Country to such a height and extent of Power by his honourable Actions in time of Peace? Who ever so preserved his * 1.20 Country in the greatest heat of a devouring War? By one well laid Stratagem of pulling down a Bridge, he ruin'd the Enemies Land-Forces, causing them to divide one half from the other, and by that means making it more easie for the Grecians to destroy the rest. Therefore if we seriously consider the things done by him, and exactly and particularly examine them, it will evidently appear, that he was most unworthily dealt with by a City that he had by his Virtue and Valour advanc'd to the highest pitch of Glory; and that that City which was esteemed and reputed the Justest and Wisest, was to him most Cruel and Un∣just.

Though this may seem a long digression in the praise of Themistocles, yet we conceiv'd it an inexcusable neglect, slightly to pass over his excellent and in∣comparable Virtues. During these Times, Micythus Prince of Rhegium, and Zan∣cles built Teuxuntum in Italy.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. Mu. 3500. Olymp. 77. 2. Ante Chr. ••••9.
• * 1.2

  Themistocles accus'd.
• * 1.3

  Themistocles acquitted.
• * 1.4

  Themistocles Banished. P. 270.
• * 1.5

  The Law of Ostracism.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Chr. 469.
• * 1.7

  Ant. Chr. 469.
• * 1.8

  Of Epirus. Themistocles flies to the Molossians.
• * 1.9

  Ant. Chr. 469.
• * 1.10

  Themistocles flies into Asia.
• * 1.11

  P. 271.
• * 1.12

  Themistocles convey'd into Persia.
• * 1.13

  Ante Chr. 469.
• * 1.14

  The further danger The∣mistocles fell into.
• * 1.15

  Themistocles deliver'd.
• * 1.16

  Ant. Chr. 469. The King of Persia's Bounty to Themistocles.
• * 1.17

  Themistocles his Death.
• * 1.18

  P. 272.
• * 1.19

  Ant. Ch. 469. The Praise of Themistocles.
• * 1.20

  Ant. Ch. 469.