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Themistocles. Part 2/2

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In the reconstruction of Athens after Salamis, Themistocles continued with his policy of making the Piraeus the main harbour. He was also responsible for the Long Walls, walls 4 miles long which joined Athens, the Piraeus and Phalerum in a single system of defences.

The Spartans had insisted that no fortifications be built outside the Peloponnese for fear that if the Persians ever came back control of fortified cities would give them an advantage. When the Spartans protested about the refortification of Athens, Themistocles was sent to Sparta to discuss the matter. He told the Athenians not to send any other envoys until the walls were at a reasonable height. Once he got to Sparta he refused to open discussions until his fellow-envoys arrived. When they did, he suggested a delegation of the most eminent Spartans trusted by both sides accompanied by Themistocles' colleagues be sent to investigate the matter. The Athenians then refused to let the Spartan delegation leave until Themistocles was safely home.

At some point in the late 470s Themistocles was ostracised (sent into exile for 10 years by popular vote) and went to live in Argos. While he was in exile the Spartans sent a delegation to Athens accusing Themistocles of being involved in a conspiracy to bring Greece under Persian domination. The Athenians believed the Spartans and he was found guilty in absentia. Themistocles did not feel safe in Argos and took refuge with Admetus, king of the Molossians. Admetus refused to give up Themistocles when Athens and Sparta demanded his surrender, but also pointed out to Themistocles that he could not guarantee Themistocles' safety against a joint Athenian-Spartan attack. He did however give Themistocles an armed escort to Pydnus.

From there, Themistocles took ship for Ephesus. He had a narrow escape at Naxos, where the Athenian navy was stationed at the time, but the captain refused to let anyone leave the ship and so Themistocles arrived safely in Ephesus. From there Themistocles took refuge with Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes, claiming that Artaxerxes owed him a favour since he, Themistocles, had been responsible for his father getting home safely from Greece. Themistocles asked for a year to learn Persian, after which period he appeared at Artaxerxes' court and promised to help him conquer Greece. Artaxerxes assigned the revenues from Magnesia for Themisocles' bread, those from Lampsacus for his wine, and those from Myus for his other food.

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