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. VI.

The inlarging of the Haven at Athens by Themistocles. The Treason of Pausanias, and the Justice of Aristides.

AT the end of the Year, Adimantus was chosen Archon of Athens, and Fa∣bius Vibulanus, and L. Valerius were Consuls of Rome. At this time Themi∣stocles for his excellent Government and ingenuity in state Policy, was in great esteem, not only at Athens, but over all * 1.1 Greece. Being hereby encouraged, he made it his Business (by further and greater Services) to enlarge the Bounds and * 1.2 Sovereignty of his Country: For confidering that there was no Haven at the Pyreum, and the Athenians were forced to * 1.3 make use of Phaleron for their Port, which was strait and in∣commodious, he contriv'd to turn that into an Harbour, which would require the least Charge, and yet would be the most beautiful and spacious Haven in all Greece, which being accomplished, he hop'd would con∣duce to the making the Athenians Masters of the Seas; who then had a great Fleet, and were famous for their many Victories at Sea.

By this means he hop'd the Ionians (being defcended from the same Ancestors) * 1.4 would be brought over to them, and so by their Assistance he should be able to restore all the Grecians in Asia to their Liberty, and thereby for ever oblige them to be Friends to the Athenians.

Moreover he concluded that the Islanders mov'd with the Athenians strength at Sea, would presently join with them, who were judg'd Persons that might be of great advantage or prejudice to them. And he very well understood that the Lacedemonians were very considerable at Land, but understood little of Sea-Affairs; but yet he kept all private to himself, being assured that the Lacedemo∣nians would never suffer it to be done.

Therefore in a Publick Assembly, he told the Citizens that he had found out * 1.5 something of very great moment and advantage to the Commonwealth; but that it was not at present expedient to make it publick; being of that nature, that the fewer that were acquainted, the better; and therefore wished the People to chuse Two whom they could best trust, to whom he would discover the whole Design.

The People hereupon chose Two, Aristides and Xanthippus, not only because they were Men of Integrity and honest Principles, but that they emulated The∣mistocles, and secretly envy'd him for the Glory and Reputation he had amongst the People. When they had privately heard what he had design'd, and his Rea∣sons, they made report unto the Assembly, that what Themistocles had contriv'd, was not only great, but of extraordinary advantage to the Commonwealth, and with ease to be effected. The People were presently taken with great admiration of the Man; and yet as soon struck with a suspition, lest by these Inventions and great Designs, he aim'd at the Sovereignty. Therefore they commanded he should forthwith discover his Purposes. But he told them again and again, that it was not for the publick good openly to reveal them.

The People now more admiring the Courage and Constancy of the Man, com∣manded him to reveal the business to the Senate privately; and if the Senate did judge that it was a matter feasible, and of certain advantage to the Publick, then whatever was necessary for the Execution of his Design should be granted to him. Upon which, when he had informed the Senate of the particulars, and when upon the Relation, all was judg'd both easie, and of highest Concern and Advantage to the Commonwealth, every thing at length was granted to him which he desired (in order to the effecting of his Design) with the approbation and consent of the People.

The Assembly then broke up with great admiration of Themistocles, every * 1.6 one expecting what would be the issue of their Counsels. And now being fur∣nished with all things necessary, both as to Men and Money, he contriv'd how to delude the Lacedemonians a Second time; for he was assur'd, that as they had

oppos'd the repairing of the Walls, so they would with all their power and might obstruct the making of the Port.

He sent therefore Embassadors to Sparta, who should let them know how much it tended to the advantage of Greece, in case of future Invasions by the Grecians, to have in some Place or other a commodions Haven. By this Contrivance gi∣ving a check and stop to any hasty opposition by the Lacedemonians, he forth∣with sets upon the Work. And all Hands being imployed in the business, the Port was finished upon a suddain, and beyond all expectation. Then he advis'd the People that they would add Twenty Gallies more every Year to the Fleet they had, and that they would priviledge with freedom from all Impositions all Strangers and Artificers, that by that means both the City might become Po∣pulous, and store of Workmen and Tradesmen might be had with little pains; for he conceiv'd both necessary, not only for the increase, but the support of their power at Sea: And thus the Athenians were imploy'd.

The Lacedemonians now commanded Pausanias who was their General at Pla∣tea, to free the Greek Cities from the Persian Garrisons which still remain'd amongst them; whereupon he sail'd from Pe∣loponesus * 1.7 (with Fifty Gallies, and from Athens with Thirty, of which Aristides was Admiral) to Cyprus, and there deli∣ver'd the Cities from the Garrisons that were fixt amongst them. Thence sailing back to the Hellespont, he took Byzan∣tium, then under the Persian Yoke, and freed the City; some of the Barbarians being put to the Sword, and others taken Prisoners; amongst whom, some of the Persians of great Quality were taken and deliver'd to the care and custody of Gongylus of Eretria, under pretence to reserve them for Punishment, but in truth to return them safe to Xerxes: For he had contracted a private Confederacy with the King, and was to marry the King's Daughter for his Reward, in un∣dertaking to betray Greece. All these Matters were transacted by Messengers and Interpreters between him and Artabazus the Persian General, who secretly fed Pansanias with Money, with which he corrupted such Grecians as were for his Purpose.

But the Treason was discover'd, and the Author fell under just Punishment in * 1.8 this manner: Giving himself up to Persian Luxury and Excess, and carrying it with great Insolency and Tyranny towards those that were committed to his Charge, all highly resented his Pride and Haughtiness, especially those that had born any Office and place of Magistracy in the Commonwealth. The Souldiers therefore every where murmuring, and in all their Meetings, complaining one * 1.9 to another of these things, and of the Pride and Tyranny of Pausanias, the Pe∣loponesians at length deserted him, and return'd into their own Country, and sent Messengers to Sparta, to accuse him.

But Aristides the Athenian making use of the present occasion in all publick Meetings and Assemblies, stirr'd up the Cities, and by fair and smooth Words so far wrought, as to prevail with them to put themselves under the Protection of the Athenians. And that which help'd forward the matter to the advantage of the Athenians was this that follows. Pausanias had agreed with Artabazus, that he should not suffer any to return that brought him Letters from himself, lest their Intreagues should be discovered: Whereupon all such Messengers were kill'd to prevent their Return; which being taken notice of, and suspected by * 1.10 one imploy'd in that Affair, he open'd the Letters deliver'd to him, and by the Contents being now confirm'd in his former Opinion of the Destruction of the other Letter-Carriers, he deliver'd the Letters to the Ephori; who not be∣ing fully satisfied of the truth by those Letters which were very dark; but in∣sisting upon further and clearer Evidence, the Messenger told them he would find out a way how they might convict him of his Treason, by Testimony out of his own Mouth.

Whereupon the Messenger forthwith went to Tenarus, to pay his Devotion in the Temple of Neptune, where he wrought a double † 1.11 Tent, one within another, within one of which were con∣ceal'd * 1.12 some of the Ephori and other Spartans. Pausanias hastens

thither, and inquires of him, what was the ground and cause of his Earnestness in his Addresses; who complain'd, that he by his Letters had determin'd his Death notwithstanding his Innocency. Upon which, Pausanias declar'd he was very sorry for what he had done, and begg'd his Pardon, and entreated him to conceal the matter, and promised he would bountifully reward him: And so they parted.

But the Ephori and those with them took little notice at that time of the bu∣siness; but a while after, the Lacedemonians with the authority of the Ephori, consulted together to seize him, and bring him to his Tryal; which he fore∣seeing, fled to the Temple of Minerva Chalcidica.

The Lacedemonians being at a stand, whether it were lawful for them to force him out of the Temple, it's said his Mother went thither, and plac'd a Tile she brought with her before the Gate of the Temple, and without doing or say∣ing any other thing, return'd to her own House; which when the Lacedemo∣nians understood (according to the Mother's Sentence) they made up the Gate of the Temple, and by this means he was famish'd to Death. His Body indeed was deliver'd to his Friends to be bury'd; but the Deity was highly in∣cens'd for the Violation of the Sanctuary: For when the Spartans went to en∣quire * 1.13 at the Oracle of Delphos, concerning some other matters, they were com∣manded to restore the Suppliant to the Goddess: Which Command being im∣possible for them to observe, there were many and great Consultations among 'em what was best to be done. At length they came to this Resolve, to set up and dedicate Two Brazen Statues of Pausanias in the Temple of Minerva, which was done accordingly.

And now according to our usual manner, through the whole Course of our History, as we have used to advance the just Praises of them that were vertuous * 1.14 and deserving, and on the other hand, to perpetuate the dishonourable Actions (after their Deaths) of such as acted wickedly, so we shall not let pass the de∣testable Malice and Treason of Pausanias, without Censure. For who could not but admire the madness of this Man? who after his Victory obtain'd at Platea, and by other noble Actions, being grown so deservedly famous and popular a∣mong * 1.15 the the Grecians, did not only neglect to preserve what honour and au∣thority he had gain'd, but in a sordid manner (thirsting after the Riches and effeminate Delights of the Persians,) wickedly stain'd all his former Glory by Treason. Grown proud by success, he grew weary of the plain Laconian way of Living, and gave himself up to the Luxury, Voluptuousness, and softness of the Persians, whom it less became of all other Men to imitate. For he knew (not by relation from others) but by his own Experience, how much the severe Discipline of his own Country did exceed the soft Manners of the other, as to the advancement of Vertue and Courage: And therefore his Treason not only brought upon himself just punishment, but likewise was the occasion that all his fellow Citizens were deprived of the Admiralty at Sea.

For the great care and integrity of Aristides in the management of Martial Af∣fairs being taken notice of, as likewise his Courtesie and Moderation towards all * 1.16 that were under his Command (and that managed with an apparent demon∣stration of all manner of Virtuons Qualities) all with one consent chose to sub∣ject themselves to the Athenians. The Captains and Officers therefore sent from Sparta, no longer regarding Pausanias, but all admiring Aristides, submitted in every thing to him, by which means he got the Sovereignty of the Sea without Blows.

Aristides therefore forthwith propounds to his Confederates, That it might be decreed by the general Consent of the People in their Publick Assemblies, that from thenceforth a common Fond or Treasury should be appointed at Delos, where all the Money collected for publick Service should be kept. In pursuance of which Counsel, for the better managing of the War against the Persians (wherewith they were then threatned) all the Cities were commanded to con∣tribute * 1.17 according to their several Abilities; which was so liberally done, as the Sum amounted to no less than Five Hundred and Sixty Talents; which he so equally and justly disposed of (being made Lord Treasurer) that he gain'd the entire consent and approbation of all the Cities to whatsoever he thought fit to be done.

And now having accomplished that, which above all other things seemed to be most difficult; for his Justice and Integrity, he got the Name of Aristides the Just. And so the very same time that Pausanias by his Wickedness depriv'd his Citizens of the chief Command at Sea, Aristides by his Virtue gain'd for the Athenians that Sovereignty which they never had before. And these were the Actions of this Year.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Olymp. 75. 4. Ante Chr. 475.
• * 1.2

  Ann. Mund. 3473.
• * 1.3

  Themistocles his Project to enlarge the Haven Pyreum at Athens.
• * 1.4

  P. 264.
• * 1.5

  Ant. Chr. 475.
• * 1.6

  Ant. Chr. 475.
• * 1.7

  Pausanias ordered to free the Gre∣cian Cities from the Persians. Ante Chr. 475. P. 265.
• * 1.8

  Pausanias his Treason.
• * 1.9

  Ant. Chr. 475.
• * 1.10

  One Argilius his Catamite. Cornel. Nep.
• † 1.11

  A Room with a Partition built in some part of the Ground belonging to the Temple; for the Greek Word is Hiero, which is the Temple or any of the Consecrated Ground. The Word Temenos, is properly the Temple it self.
• * 1.12

  The manner of the Discovery of Pausanias his Treason.
• * 1.13

  P. 266.
• * 1.14

  The Censure of Pausanias.
• * 1.15

  Ante Chr. 475.
• * 1.16

  All submit to Aristides.
• * 1.17

  Aristides his Justice.