‘It is easy to look back and say what should have been done,’ Eurybiades said. ‘All you have said is true. I understand it! Of course I do! Am I a block? I fought to save the fleet and win a longer war. I asked for too much – and you took away my command. You made a mockery of it – and of me.’

‘Then say I was right ,’ Themistocles said, his voice carrying a hint of a growl. ‘Say your order was impossible, that you should never have given it.’

‘No, I will not say that. You should have lost at Salamis! You know it. Only luck and a fool for a Persian king gave you that victory. You could not have known Xerxes would split his fleet! You should have lost that battle and seen your women and children captured on Salamis! Only merest chance saved you all. No, I was right, Athenian! For all it galls you, that is the truth.’

Eurybiades found he was leaning forward on the chair, jabbing the air with his finger. He settled back.

‘Either way, you disobeyed my order in time of war. You undermined my command. The way things have fallen, your own people will not bring you to court or execution …’

‘Not for that,’ Themistocles said lightly. ‘There are things I’ve done that they don’t like, but not that! I saved the people of Athens, Eurybiades! By my count, half a dozen times! There should be statues in gold to me on every street corner! I should have my life story recited by every child for a thousand years. Instead, they don’t know what to do with me. Life goes on and somehow … they want to put the war behind them. Or to name a thousand heroes and make me just one.’ He waved a hand in frustration. ‘And instead of gold and land and statues, I get … you , determined to avenge a slight so petty, so small, it makes me want to weep. You gave the wrong order, you pompous fool. No one in their right mind could have followed it.’

Eurybiades nodded. He stood up slowly, facing Themistocles. In that instant, Themistocles looked grey, older than before.

‘I have come a long way,’ Eurybiades said. ‘It is time.’

‘Really? ’ Themistocles said. He clenched his jaw and stood in turn. ‘You won’t settle it without one of us dying?’ He gestured across the open field. ‘There is a boxing ring just thirty paces away. I’ll meet you there and buy you a meal after, no matter how it turns out.’

‘Spartans don’t box,’ Eurybiades said stiffly. ‘No, I choose the sword. Tell me where to stand and have one of your men bring you a blade. I want to be back on the road home before the day is much older.’