‘Nonetheless,’ Xanthippus said softly. ‘These are our laws. If you would speak in his defence, lad, you may. If not, I’m sure Miltiades can speak for himself. He is condemned by his own words, after all. I can say little he has not already admitted.’

Cimon looked in appeal to the epistates, who could only open his hands, almost in supplication.

‘I will need to speak to the officials of the Assembly,’ the epistates said, looking to them for support. ‘We must select a jury. This is no ostracism. Miltiades is allowed to defend himself against such a charge. What is the charge?’

‘Poor leadership, fraud, theft – all you have heard Miltiades admit,’ Xanthippus said. He glanced aside to where Epikleos was rubbing a hand across his brow, his mouth slightly open.

‘Then … then I should prorogue the Assembly, until this afternoon, or tomorrow. Until Miltiades has had a chance to make his defence, until … until I have had a chance to consult … Yes, yes, I think …’

Xanthippus shook his head. He could see Themistocles watching him with an expression not dissimilar to the one Epikleos wore. Let them stare! He had made his decision and he would not let some stammering fool of an epistates allow Miltiades to wriggle off the hook.

‘There is no true written constitution in Athens,’ Xanthippus announced. In theory, he addressed the epistates, who still floundered and wished the day had fallen to someone else.

‘All our laws, all our trials, are decided by us, on the day. I have called a trial this morning. If there is business of greater importance, it can be delayed. If not, I would like to move to prosecution, defence and a vote.’

‘But what punishment would suit these crimes you list?’ the epistates asked plaintively.

Many in the crowd scowled at this breach of ritual.

Xanthippus shrugged.

‘For the deaths of two thousand hoplites – Marathonomachoi all? For the loss of fifty galleys and all the free men who crewed them? For the fraud in asking for a command he was not fit to undertake? What else but death can be our answer?’

‘Xanthippus,’ Epikleos murmured over the sound of the crowd. ‘Show mercy. He is much loved still, in some places.’

Xanthippus bit his lip. Themistocles may have been staring at him, but so was Aristides. It was important to him to show dignity in front of such men.

‘Very well, epistates,’ Xanthippus said. ‘The day after tomorrow is already set aside as a trial day. I will accept a delay until then. It will give me time to examine witnesses.’

Miltiades looked down at him with red-rimmed eyes, like a sick dog that knew it was threatened but had no more strength to resist.

15

Xerxes walked on pale blue marble, polished to the point where he could look down and see a coloured shadow of himself looking up. It was as if he walked across the surface of a lake on a still day.