"I have with me two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion."
— Themistocles

January 1, 1970

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Added on April 10, 2026
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OratorsPeople from AthensMilitary leaders from GreecePoliticians from Greece
Original Language: English

Sources

Herodotus is quoted by Plutarch in Themistocles (21.1): he said he came escorting two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion. (Greek: "δύο γὰρ ἥκειν ἔφη θεοὺς κομίζων, Πειθὼ καὶ Βίαν") — NOTE the two different sets of "gods" in the Original Greek: πειθώ τε καὶ ἀναγκαίην (Herodotus); Πειθὼ καὶ Βίαν (Plutarch)