Page "Aegina" Paragraph 37

In the repulse of Xerxes I it is possible that the Aeginetans played a larger part than is conceded to them by Herodotus.

The Athenian tradition, which he follows in the main, would naturally seek to obscure their services.

It was to Aegina rather than Athens that the prize of valour at Salamis was awarded, and the destruction of the Persian fleet appears to have been as much the work of the Aeginetan contingent as of the Athenian ( Herod.

viii.

91 ).

There are other indications, too, of the importance of the Aeginetan fleet in the Greek scheme of defence.

In view of these considerations it becomes difficult to credit the number of the vessels that is assigned to them by Herodotus ( 30 as against 180 Athenian vessels, cf.

Greek History, sect.

Authorities ).

During the next twenty years the Philo-Laconian policy of Cimon secured Aegina, as a member of the Spartan league, from attack.

The change in Athenian foreign policy, which was consequent upon the ostracism of Cimon in 461, led to what is sometimes called the First Peloponnesian War, in which the brunt of the fighting fell upon Corinth and Aegina.

The latter state was forced to surrender to Athens after a siege, and to accept the position of a subject-ally ( c. 456 BC ).

The tribute was fixed at 30 talents.