He pitched it well, so that it felt like a crescendo. Xanthippus saw Themistocles dip his head to hide his fury as many in the crowd cheered. It was an easy point. The victory at Marathon still resounded with them, though a full year had passed. Yet there were many who did not cheer, who remained unmoved. He was not sure Aristides had done enough to sway them, though he had appealed to both hearts and heads.

In the lull, other men signalled they would like to add to the discussion.

‘Will you give way?’ the epistates asked.

Aristides bowed his head on the instant and stood back from the speaker’s rostrum, though he remained on the stone rather than go down.

One by one, speakers were called forward. Some climbed to the steps to declaim breathlessly in support of a fleet, or money in their own pockets. Others called out questions from the floor and received scattered applause for their points, even as the debate moved on.

Aristides came forward once more to answer a specific question, but it was Themistocles who brought forth a cheer as he rose to explain his position. He took questions from the massed gathering and gave them time to judge his replies, so that he found himself deep in the details of his offer.

‘Which way will it go?’ Epikleos said at Xanthippus’ shoulder. ‘I could put a tetradrachm on Themistocles and make myself another, at least if I choose the right moment.’

Xanthippus frowned. His father had warned him against gambling from a young age. Having tried it anyway, he’d lost a small fortune and developed a lifelong dislike of those who seemed to have better luck.

‘I would not have thought Themistocles had a chance,’ he replied, aware of those around who would listen and take his lead. In such a way, a small speech from the floor could raise him to the stone dais. Xanthippus firmed his resolve and went on. ‘Before Marathon he would not have swayed this crowd. What was Persia to most of us? Some distant empire. Yet half the men here saw that great fleet. You remember! As much as it galls me, I think Themistocles is right. We have funds no one expected. What better use can there be than this, for Athenians? Ships …’ He tapped his forehead and raised his hand to be heard.

‘Speaker here!’ Epikleos said immediately, in support.

More of those who knew Xanthippus cried out his name. On the speaker’s rock, he could see Themistocles watching him, so Xanthippus dipped his head a fraction. Themistocles bent close to the epistates and directed his attention on the instant, pointing Xanthippus out. There was an advantage to being on the stone. When the epistates called his name, Xanthippus found a path opened before him, leading to the steps. He went quickly, ordering his thoughts.

Both Aristides and Themistocles stood back, rather than be seen to crowd him or show favour. Xanthippus had held a number of senior roles over the previous nine years. His wife’s uncle had created the very laws that ordered their debates. More importantly, Xanthippus had commanded his tribe in battle. On that authority, he could sway a vote. Both Themistocles and Aristides knew it.