Nepos, Themistocles 9

Them. 9.1Sciō plērōsque ita scrīpsisse, Themistoclem Xerxe regnante in Asiam trānsīsse.

I know that most writers have written that Themistocles crossed into Asia while Xerxes was king.

Note. Scio plērōsque ita scrīpsisse: Nepos turns to his sources. Most writers placed Themistocles' flight under Xerxes (died 465 BC); Thucydides says he came to the new king Artaxerxes.

Them. 9.1Sed ego potissimum Thūcȳdidī crēdō, quod et aetāte proximus dē iīs, quī illōrum temporum historiam relīquērunt, et eiusdem cīvitātis fuit.

But I trust Thucydides above all, because he was nearest in age to him of those who have left a history of those times, and he was from the same city.

Note. Thūcȳdidī crēdō: crēdō takes the dative. aetāte proximus: 'nearest in time'. eiusdem cīvitātis fuit: genitive of belonging, 'he was of the same city'.

Them. 9.1Is autem ait ad Artaxerxēn eum vēnisse atque hīs verbīs epistulam mīsisse: "Themistoclēs vēnī ad tē, quī plūrima mala omnium Grāiōrum in domum tuam intulī, quamdiū mihi necesse fuit adversum patrem tuum bellāre patriamque meam dēfendere.

He says that it was to Artaxerxes that Themistocles came, and that he sent him a letter in these words: "I, Themistocles, have come to you, the man who of all the Greeks brought the most harm upon your house, as long as I had to fight against your father and defend my country.

Note. The letter is quoted in direct speech, closely following Thucydides 1.137. Graiōrum: an old, solemn word for the Greeks. quamdiū: 'as long as'. necesse fuit: 'it was necessary' + infinitives.

Them. 9.3Īdem multō plūra bona fēcī, postquam in tūtō ipse et ille in perīculō esse coepit.

I also did him far more good, once I was safe myself and he began to be in danger.

Note. Idem: 'I too, the same man'. multō plūra: multō is an ablative of degree with a comparative, 'many more'. in tūtō: 'in safety'.

Them. 9.3Nam cum in Asiam revertī vellet proeliō apud Salamīna factō, litterīs eum certiōrem fēcī id agī ut pōns, quem in Hellēspontō fēcerat, dissolverētur atque ab hostibus circumīrētur: quō nūntiō ille perīculō est līberātus.

For when he wanted to return to Asia after the battle at Salamis, I informed him by letter that a plan was afoot to break up the bridge he had made on the Hellespont and to surround him with enemies: by this message he was freed from danger.

Note. The same message as in chapter 5, now presented to the Persian as a favour to Xerxes.

Them. 9.4Nunc autem cōnfūgī ad tē exagitātus ā cūnctā Graeciā, tuam petēns amīcitiam: quam sī erō adeptus, nōn minus mē bonum amīcum habēbis, quam fortem inimīcum ille expertus est.

Now, driven out by all Greece, I have fled to you, seeking your friendship: if I gain it, you will have in me a friend no less good than the brave enemy he found me.

Note. quam sī erō adeptus: 'if I gain it' (future perfect in Latin, simple present in English). nōn minus … quam: 'no less … than'.

Them. 9.4Tē autem rogō, ut dē iīs rēbus, quās tēcum colloquī volō, annuum mihi tempus dēs eōque trānsāctō ad tē venīre patiāris."

I ask you to give me a year's time for the matters I wish to discuss with you, and when it is over, to let me come to you."

Note. tēcum: 'with you'; cum is attached to personal pronouns. eō trānsāctō: ablative absolute, 'when it is over'.