Book VIII

The Hellenes meanwhile, when it proved that they were not able to conquer Andros, turned towards Carystos, and having laid waste the land of that people they departed and went to Salamis. First then for the gods they chose out firstfruits of the spoil, and among them three Persian triremes, one to be dedicated as an offering at the Isthmus, which remained there still up to my time, another at Sunion, and the third to Ajax in Salamis where they were. After this they divided the spoil among themselves and sent the firstfruits to Delphi, of which was made a statue holding in its hand the beak of a ship and in height measuring twelve cubits. This statue stood in the same place with the golden statue of Alexander the Macedonian. 122. Then when the Hellenes had sent firstfruits to Delphi, they asked the god on behalf of all whether the firstfruits which he had received were fully sufficient and acceptable to him. He said that from the Hellenes he had received enough, but not from the Aeginetans, and from them he demanded the offering of their prize of valour for the sea-fight at Salamis. Hearing this the Aeginetans dedicated golden stars, three in number, upon a ship’s mast of bronze, which are placed in the corner close to the mixing-bowl of Croesus. 123. After the division of the spoil the Hellenes sailed to the Isthmus, to give the prize of valour to him who of all the Hellenes had proved himself the most worthy during this war: and when they had come thither and the commanders distributed their votes at the altar of Poseidon, selecting from the whole number the first and the second in merit, then every one of them gave in his vote for himself, each man thinking that he himself had been the best; but for the second place the greater number of votes came out in agreement, assigning that to Themistocles. They then were left alone in their votes, while Themistocles in regard to the second place surpassed the rest by far: 124. and although the Hellenes would not give decision of this by reason of envy, but sailed

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