Neither Olympieus nor Aristodemos nor Dienekes nor Polynikes lifted voice in response. Instead the Egyptian saw them defer to the older man in the homespun cloak. “Among the Spartans any may speak, not just these ambassadors, as we are all accounted Peers and equals before the law.” The elder now stepped forward. “May I take the liberty to suggest, sir, an alternative course, which I feel certain will find favor, not among the Lakedaemonians alone, but with all the Greek allies?” “Please do,” responded the Egyptian. All eyes centered upon the veteran. “Let Xerxes surrender to us,” he proposed.
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