The state - owned mines of Laurium were the site of a rich strike of silver, and Themistocles, a prominent Athenian politician, persuaded the Assembly to use the whole surplus in order to build a fleet of 200 triremes.
Valstij piederošajās Laurija raktuvēs bija bagātīgas sudraba atradnes, un Temistokls, ietekmīgs Atēnu politiskais darbinieks, pārliecināja tautas sapulci, ka visi ienākumi no sudraba raktuvēm jāizmanto 200 triēru būvei.