Chapter XLIV

FROM THE BATTLE OF PLATÆA AND MYKALE DOWN TO THE DEATHS OF
THEMISTOKLES AND ARISTEIDES.

Causes of the disgraceful repulse of Xerxes from Greece — his own
defects — inferior quality and slackness of most of his army. —
Tendency to exaggerate the heroism of the Greeks. — Comparison
of the invasion of Greece by Xerxes with the invasion of Persia
afterwards by Alexander the Great. — No improvement in warfare
among the Persians during that interval of one hundred and fifty
years — great improvement among the Greeks. — Progressive spirit
in Greece — operating through Athenian initiative. — Conduct of
Athens in the repulse of the Persians — her position, temper,
and influence, after that event. — Proceedings of the Athenians
to restore their city — jealous obstructions caused by the
Peloponnesians. — Stratagem of Themistoklês to procure for the
Athenians the opportunity of fortifying their city. — Athens
fortified — confusion of the Spartans — disappointment of the
allies. — Effect of this intended, but baffled, intervention
upon Athenian feelings. — Enlargement of the walls of Athens.
— Large plans of Themistoklês for the naval aggrandizement of
the city — fortified town and harbor provided at Peiræus — vast
height and thickness projected for the walls. — Advantages of
the enlarged and fortified harbor — increase of metics and of
commerce at Athens. — Resolution to build twenty new triremes
annually. — Expedition of the united Greek fleet against
Asia, under the Spartan Pausanias — capture of Byzantium. —
Misconduct of Pausanias — refusal of the allies to obey him —
his treasonable correspondence with Xerxes. — Pausanias, having
assurances of aid from Xerxes, becomes more intolerable in his
behavior. He is recalled to Sparta. — The allies transfer the
headship from Sparta to Athens. — Importance of this change in
the relations of the Grecian states. — Tendency of the Spartan
kings to become corrupted on foreign service — Leotychidês. —
Momentary Pan-Hellenic union under Sparta, immediately after the
repulse of Xerxes — now broken up and passing into a schism,
with two distinct parties and chiefs, Sparta and Athens. —
Proceedings of Athens in her capacity of leader — good conduct
of Aristeidês. — Formation of the confederacy of Delos, under
Athens as president — general meetings of allies held in that
island. — Assessment of the confederacy and all its members, made
by Aristeidês — definite obligation in ships and money — money
total — Hellênotamiæ. — Rapid growth, early magnitude, of the
confederacy of Delos: willing adhesion of the members. — State
and power of Persia at the time when the confederacy of Delos
was first formed. — Conduct of Pausanias after being removed
from the command — he prosecutes his treasonable designs in
conjunction with Persia. — He is recalled to Sparta — imprisoned
— put on his trial — tries to provoke the Helots to revolt. — He
is detected by the revelation of a slave — incredulity or fear of
the Ephors. — His arrest and death — atonement made for offended
sanctuary. — Themistoklês is compromised in the detected treason
of Pausanias. — Position of Themistoklês at Athens — tendency
of Athenian parties and politics. — Effect of the events of the
Persian war upon Athenian political sentiment — stimulus to
democracy. — Alteration of the Kleisthenean constitution — all
citizens without exception are rendered politically admissible to
office: first, universal eligibility and election of magistrates
— next, sortition, or drawing by lot. — Increase of the power
of the Stratêgi — alteration in the functions and diminution
of the importance of the archons. — Administration of Athens
enlarged — new functionaries appointed — distribution between
Athens and Peiræus. — Political career and precarious tenor of
Themistoklês — bitter rivals against him — Kimon, Alkmæon, etc.
— His liability to charges of corruption. — Themistoklês is
charged with accepting bribes from Persia — acquitted at Athens.
— Increased bitterness of feud between him and his political
rivals, after this acquittal. He is ostracized. — While in
banishment under ostracism, the Lacedæmonians prefer a charge of
treason against him. — Flight and adventures of Themistoklês. —
Themistoklês gets over to Asia, and seeks refuge with the Persian
king. — Stories about the relations between the Persian king
and Themistoklês. — Real treatment of Themistoklês in Persia. —
Influence which he acquires with the Persian king. — Large reward
which he receives — His death at Magnesia. — Death of Aristeidês
— his poverty.
239-289