The crowd began to run and he saw his men knocked aside as women and children abandoned caution, seeing only the empty deck and safety. One of them went right down, vanishing in the rush. Xanthippus felt a surge of panic at the thought of too many pouring on board. He glared at his men, seeing their helplessness. They could not draw blades on women and children, but the crowd had a life of its own and a need that would not be denied.

‘Fetch another dozen men out,’ Xanthippus bellowed to his crew. ‘We can’t let them run wild. They’ll swamp the ship.’

On board, orders were roared to get out and help as Agariste and the children drew up and reined in. Xanthippus reached up to his wife and took her around the waist, helping her down to the stones of the port.

‘It’s good to see you,’ he said.

Her eyes searched his for reassurance and found none.

Epikleos was there, using his outstretched arms and booming voice to make a path for the children. The horses were left where they stood and Xanthippus almost went over as his dog Conis leapt up at him, tangling itself in his tunic and cloak and slobbering. Xanthippus embraced the animal, laughing as it wriggled and bounced.

‘Are you coming with us?’ Agariste said.

Xanthippus shook his head.

‘Not yet. I wish I could. Keep Manias and the others close. Shall I leave you Epikleos?’

‘I’d be happier knowing he was with you,’ she said. ‘We’ll be all right.’

Xanthippus saw his children had come closer, unwilling to interrupt their parents in their conversation. He kissed Agariste quickly and embraced them one by one, feeling the strength in them all.

‘Keep your mother and sister safe – your lives on it,’ Xanthippus said sternly to Pericles and Ariphron. Both of them nodded, matching his seriousness.

Xanthippus glanced over his shoulder. His hoplites had come out and brought some order to the crowd pressing to get on board. Already they were waving some away and telling them they would have to wait for another ship or join the crowds further along the quays. None of them wanted to risk losing a place and they cried out in entreaty, then anger, as Xanthippus brought his family and his wife’s household through.

He pressed Agariste forward with a hand in the small of her back, then his sons and his daughter, pausing only to kiss the top of her head. Manias went too, with no more than an exchange of glances. The old man would look after them, as he always had.

Xanthippus felt the wrench of it, even in the midst of his relief. He had reached them. He felt as if he could faint there and then on the quayside, just give way to complete collapse. There was shouting and crying all around him in the press of bodies, while still more streamed down from the city.

Epikleos was there, at his shoulder, appearing out of the mob.