Laurium

• In the early 480s the Athenians had found new, rich reserves of silver at their mines in Laurium
• The find had been substantial, and an influx of wealth entered Athens
• Initially, the Assembly, led by the aristocrat Aristides proposed the surplus be spread evenly amongst the citizens, at 10 drachma per head (a minimal amount)
• Themistocles however suggested a counter-proposal: that the money be used to fund the construction of a powerful new navy, some 100-200 ships strong