So at length the Athenian was brought into the presence of Artaxerxes, and after having prostrated himself he stood silent before the king.

‘Who art thou?’ asked Artaxerxes.

‘O king,’ answered the exile, ‘I am Themistocles the Athenian, driven into banishment by the Greeks. I come with a mind suited to my present calamities; prepared alike for favours and for anger. If you save me you will save your suppliant; if otherwise, you will destroy an enemy of the Greeks.’