But why should any one be angry with him about
the Naxians? If we have, as some say, antipodes inhabiting the other hemisphere, I believe that they also have
heard of Themistocles and his counsel, which he gave to
the Greeks, to fight a naval battle before Salamis, after
which, the barbarian being overcome, he built in Melite a
temple to Diana the Counsellor. This gentle writer, endeavoring, as much as in him lies, to deprive Themistocles
of the glory of this, and transfer it to another, writes thus
word for word: ‘Whilst things were thus, Mnesiphilus,
an Athenian, asked Themistocles, as he was going aboard
his ship, what had been resolved on in council. And being
answered, that it was decreed the ships should be brought
back to Isthmus, and a battle fought at sea before Peloponnesus; he said, If then they remove the navy from Salamis,
you will no longer be fighting for one country; for they
will return every one to his own city. Wherefore, if there
be any way left, go and endeavor to break this resolution;
and, if it be possible, persuade Eurybiades to change his
[p. 362]
mind and stay here.’ Then adding that this advice pleased
Themistocles, who, without making any reply, went straight
to Eurybiades, he has these very expressions: ‘And sitting
by him he related what he had heard from Mnesiphilus,
feigning as if it came from himself, and adding other
things.’
1 You see how he accuses Themistocles of disingenuity in arrogating to himself the counsel of Mnesiphilus.
1 Herod. VIII. 57, 58.
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