THEMISTOCLES. 257

desist from his intentions, or expecting that so inconsider- ate an attempt after such chimerical objects would be dis- covered by other means. After that Pausanias was put to death, letters and wri- tings being found concerning this matter, which rendered Themistocles suspected, the Lacedaemonians were clamor- ous against him, and his enemies among the Athenians accused him ; when, being absent from Athens, he made his defence by letters, especially against the points that had been previously alleged against him. In answer to the malicious detractions of his enemies, he merely wrote to the citizens, urging that he who was always ambitious to govern, and not of a character or a disposition to serve, would never sell himself and his country into slavery to a barbarous and hostile nation. Notwithstanding this, the people, being persuaded by his accusers, sent officers to take him and bring him away to be tried before a council of the Greeks, but, having timely notice of it, he passed over into the island of Cor- cyra, where the state was under obligations to him ; for, being chosen as arbitrator in a difference between them and the Corinthians, he decided the controversy by order- ing the Corinthians to pay down twenty talents, and de- claring the town and island of Leucas a joint colony from both cities. From thence he fled into Epirus, and, the Athenians and Lacedaemonians still pursuing him, he threw himself upon chances of safety that seemed all but desperate. For he fled for refuge to Admetus, king of the Molossians, who had formerly made some request to the Athenians, when Themistocles was in the height of his authority, and had been disdainfully used and insulted by him, and had let it appear plain enough, that, could he lay hold of him, he would take his revenge. Yet in this misfortune, Themistocles, fearing the recent hatred of his neighbors and fellow-citizens more tban

vol. i. 17