"Strike, but hear me" (litho)

"Strike, but hear me." In the progress of the united Greek council of war before the battle of Salamis Themistocles, who was exhorting the other leaders not to retreat from their position, made some remark which unfortunately angered Eurybiades, the Spartan admiral, who raised his stick as if to strike the Athenian. Themistocles, not attempting to defend himself, calmly said, "Strike, but hear me," and the Spartan ashamed of his violence, requested him to speak on, and did not make any further interruption. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.