‘If we were Spartans,’ Themistocles went on, ‘we would spend the silver on new barracks and … stones or pillars of iron. If men of Thessaly, we would surely buy horses. Men of Corinth, perhaps sheep or goats. Who knows? There are around thirty thousand men of voting age in Athens. I could have the demarchos of each of the hundred demes provide the exact tally. Perhaps we’ll need to, when we’ve decided what to do with this gift of the gods. Twenty thousand foreign metics will not take a share, of course. All the women and children number some two hundred thousand, slaves around the same. Now, the wages for a working man are two drachms a day, just over seven hundred a year.’

He had the attention of the crowd, rapt as he plucked figures from the air. Xanthippus and Epikleos shared a wry glance. To qualify as Eupatridae, both men had to own or control lands that earned a fortune in grain – or silver, when it was sold. The new mine would not affect their lives in any great way. Yet they could see the gleam of avarice in the crowd, the sparkle of excitement. For many there it would mean a real change of fortune.

‘What is his intention?’ Epikleos murmured. ‘He trusts you, Xan, or he would like to. Has he discussed this?’

Xanthippus shook his head as Themistocles went on, his voice strong and clear.

‘The new mine could bring as much as a year’s wage to every one of you, so I have been told. I have been to the site and seen the new trenches. Thousands more will find work cutting into the earth there. If you or your relatives have ever feared starvation, be assured of that – there will be work at Laurium. I tell you this because I know Aristides will be honest with you. He will tell you to take the silver from the earth, to refine it and stamp it in drachms and tetradrachms, to feed your families and build new homes. He will tell you to employ carpenters and tilers and buy meat and cheese and wooden toys for your children. He will say that such an amount of silver brought into the city will change hands many times, creating value and labour where there was none before. Aristides believes there is benefit to us all in such a find. In that, he and I are in perfect accord. Athenians will benefit, but in freedom, not in tiles and bricks and better roads.’

There was a rumble of discontent and Themistocles raised his hands, laughing along with them.

‘Oh, I know, the roads are terrible. We should pave them. Perhaps Aristides will tell you to do just that when he speaks. After all, when the Persians march into Athens, they will be delighted to find good roads, with fine, flat stones to make the surface!’

He waited for a ripple of nervous laughter to end, then spoke more seriously.