CHAPTERI。
TheStateofGreecefromtheearliestTimestotheCommencementofthePeloponnesianWarTHUCYDIDES，anAthenian，wrotethehistoryofthewarbetweenthePeloponnesiansandtheAthenians，beginningatthemomentthatitbrokeout，andbelievingthatitwouldbeagreatwarandmoreworthyofrelationthananythathadprecededit。Thisbeliefwasnotwithoutitsgrounds。Thepreparationsofboththecombatantswereineverydepartmentinthelaststateofperfection；andhecouldseetherestoftheHellenicracetakingsidesinthequarrel；thosewhodelayeddoingsoatoncehavingitincontemplation。Indeedthiswasthegreatestmovementyetknowninhistory，notonlyoftheHellenes，butofalargepartofthebarbarianworld-Ihadalmostsaidofmankind。Forthoughtheeventsofremoteantiquity，andeventhosethatmoreimmediatelyprecededthewar，couldnotfromlapseoftimebeclearlyascertained，yettheevidenceswhichaninquirycarriedasfarbackaswaspracticableleadsmetotrust，allpointtotheconclusionthattherewasnothingonagreatscale，eitherinwarorinothermatters。
Forinstance，itisevidentthatthecountrynowcalledHellashadinancienttimesnosettledpopulation；onthecontrary，migrationswereoffrequentoccurrence，theseveraltribesreadilyabandoningtheirhomesunderthepressureofsuperiornumbers。Withoutcommerce，withoutfreedomofcommunicationeitherbylandorsea，cultivatingnomoreoftheirterritorythantheexigenciesofliferequired，destituteofcapital，neverplantingtheirland(fortheycouldnottellwhenaninvadermightnotcomeandtakeitallaway，andwhenhedidcometheyhadnowallstostophim)，thinkingthatthenecessitiesofdailysustenancecouldbesuppliedatoneplaceaswellasanother，theycaredlittleforshiftingtheirhabitation，andconsequentlyneitherbuiltlargecitiesnorattainedtoanyotherformofgreatness。Therichestsoilswerealwaysmostsubjecttothischangeofmasters；suchasthedistrictnowcalledThessaly，Boeotia，mostofthePeloponnese，Arcadiaexcepted，andthemostfertilepartsoftherestofHellas。Thegoodnessofthelandfavouredtheaggrandizementofparticularindividuals，andthuscreatedfactionwhichprovedafertilesourceofruin。Italsoinvitedinvasion。
AccordinglyAttica，fromthepovertyofitssoilenjoyingfromaveryremoteperiodfreedomfromfaction，neverchangeditsinhabitants。Andhereisnoinconsiderableexemplificationofmyassertionthatthemigrationswerethecauseoftherebeingnocorrespondentgrowthinotherparts。ThemostpowerfulvictimsofwarorfactionfromtherestofHellastookrefugewiththeAtheniansasasaferetreat；andatanearlyperiod，becomingnaturalized，swelledthealreadylargepopulationofthecitytosuchaheightthatAtticabecameatlasttoosmalltoholdthem，andtheyhadtosendoutcoloniestoIonia。
Thereisalsoanothercircumstancethatcontributesnotalittletomyconvictionoftheweaknessofancienttimes。BeforetheTrojanwarthereisnoindicationofanycommonactioninHellas，norindeedoftheuniversalprevalenceofthename；onthecontrary，beforethetimeofHellen，sonofDeucalion，nosuchappellationexisted，butthecountrywentbythenamesofthedifferenttribes，inparticularofthePelasgian。ItwasnottillHellenandhissonsgrewstronginPhthiotis，andwereinvitedasalliesintotheothercities，thatonebyonetheygraduallyacquiredfromtheconnectionthenameofHellenes；thoughalongtimeelapsedbeforethatnamecouldfastenitselfuponall。ThebestproofofthisisfurnishedbyHomer。BornlongaftertheTrojanWar，henowherecallsallofthembythatname，norindeedanyofthemexceptthefollowersofAchillesfromPhthiotis，whoweretheoriginalHellenes:inhispoemstheyarecalledDanaans，Argives，andAchaeans。Hedoesnotevenusethetermbarbarian，probablybecausetheHelleneshadnotyetbeenmarkedofffromtherestoftheworldbyonedistinctiveappellation。ItappearsthereforethattheseveralHelleniccommunities，comprisingnotonlythosewhofirstacquiredthename，citybycity，astheycametounderstandeachother，butalsothosewhoassumeditafterwardsasthenameofthewholepeople，werebeforetheTrojanwarpreventedbytheirwantofstrengthandtheabsenceofmutualintercoursefromdisplayinganycollectiveaction。
Indeed，theycouldnotuniteforthisexpeditiontilltheyhadgainedincreasedfamiliaritywiththesea。AndthefirstpersonknowntousbytraditionashavingestablishedanavyisMinos。HemadehimselfmasterofwhatisnowcalledtheHellenicsea，andruledovertheCyclades，intomostofwhichhesentthefirstcolonies，expellingtheCariansandappointinghisownsonsgovernors；
andthusdidhisbesttoputdownpiracyinthosewaters，anecessarysteptosecuretherevenuesforhisownuse。
ForinearlytimestheHellenesandthebarbariansofthecoastandislands，ascommunicationbyseabecamemorecommon，weretemptedtoturnpirates，undertheconductoftheirmostpowerfulmen；
themotivesbeingtoservetheirowncupidityandtosupporttheneedy。Theywouldfalluponatownunprotectedbywalls，andconsistingofamerecollectionofvillages，andwouldplunderit；
indeed，thiscametobethemainsourceoftheirlivelihood，nodisgracebeingyetattachedtosuchanachievement，butevensomeglory。Anillustrationofthisisfurnishedbythehonourwithwhichsomeoftheinhabitantsofthecontinentstillregardasuccessfulmarauder，andbythequestionwefindtheoldpoetseverywhererepresentingthepeopleasaskingofvoyagers-"Aretheypirates？"-
asifthosewhoareaskedthequestionwouldhavenoideaofdisclaimingtheimputation，ortheirinterrogatorsofreproachingthemforit。Thesamerapineprevailedalsobyland。
AndevenatthepresentdaymanyofHellasstillfollowtheoldfashion，theOzolianLocriansforinstance，theAetolians，theAcarnanians，andthatregionofthecontinent；andthecustomofcarryingarmsisstillkeptupamongthesecontinentals，fromtheoldpiraticalhabits。ThewholeofHellasusedoncetocarryarms，theirhabitationsbeingunprotectedandtheircommunicationwitheachotherunsafe；indeed，toweararmswasasmuchapartofeverydaylifewiththemaswiththebarbarians。AndthefactthatthepeopleinthesepartsofHellasarestilllivingintheoldwaypointstoatimewhenthesamemodeoflifewasonceequallycommontoall。TheAthenianswerethefirsttolayasidetheirweapons，andtoadoptaneasierandmoreluxuriousmodeoflife；indeed，itisonlylatelythattheirricholdmenleftofftheluxuryofwearingundergarmentsoflinen，andfasteningaknotoftheirhairwithatieofgoldengrasshoppers，afashionwhichspreadtotheirIoniankindredandlongprevailedamongtheoldmenthere。Onthecontrary，amodeststyleofdressing，moreinconformitywithmodernideas，wasfirstadoptedbytheLacedaemonians，therichdoingtheirbesttoassimilatetheirwayoflifetothatofthecommonpeople。Theyalsosettheexampleofcontendingnaked，publiclystrippingandanointingthemselveswithoilintheirgymnasticexercises。Formerly，evenintheOlympiccontests，theathleteswhocontendedworebeltsacrosstheirmiddles；anditisbutafewyearssincethatthepracticeceased。Tothisdayamongsomeofthebarbarians，especiallyinAsia，whenprizesforboxingandwrestlingareoffered，beltsarewornbythecombatants。AndtherearemanyotherpointsinwhichalikenessmightbeshownbetweenthelifeoftheHellenicworldofoldandthebarbarianofto-day。
Withrespecttotheirtowns，lateron，ataneraofincreasedfacilitiesofnavigationandagreatersupplyofcapital，wefindtheshoresbecomingthesiteofwalledtowns，andtheisthmusesbeingoccupiedforthepurposesofcommerceanddefenceagainstaneighbour。Buttheoldtowns，onaccountofthegreatprevalenceofpiracy，werebuiltawayfromthesea，whetherontheislandsorthecontinent，andstillremainintheiroldsites。Forthepiratesusedtoplunderoneanother，andindeedallcoastpopulations，whetherseafaringornot。
Theislanders，too，weregreatpirates。TheseislanderswereCariansandPhoenicians，bywhommostoftheislandswerecolonized，aswasprovedbythefollowingfact。DuringthepurificationofDelosbyAthensinthiswarallthegravesintheislandweretakenup，anditwasfoundthatabovehalftheirinmateswereCarians:theywereidentifiedbythefashionofthearmsburiedwiththem，andbythemethodofinterment，whichwasthesameastheCariansstillfollow。
ButassoonasMinoshadformedhisnavy，communicationbyseabecameeasier，ashecolonizedmostoftheislands，andthusexpelledthemalefactors。Thecoastpopulationnowbegantoapplythemselvesmorecloselytotheacquisitionofwealth，andtheirlifebecamemoresettled；someevenbegantobuildthemselveswallsonthestrengthoftheirnewlyacquiredriches。Fortheloveofgainwouldreconciletheweakertothedominionofthestronger，andthepossessionofcapitalenabledthemorepowerfultoreducethesmallertownstosubjection。AnditwasatasomewhatlaterstageofthisdevelopmentthattheywentontheexpeditionagainstTroy。
WhatenabledAgamemnontoraisethearmamentwasmore，inmyopinion，hissuperiorityinstrength，thantheoathsofTyndareus，whichboundthesuitorstofollowhim。Indeed，theaccountgivenbythosePeloponnesianswhohavebeentherecipientsofthemostcredibletraditionisthis。FirstofallPelops，arrivingamonganeedypopulationfromAsiawithvastwealth，acquiredsuchpowerthat，strangerthoughhewas，thecountrywascalledafterhim；andthispowerfortunesawfitmateriallytoincreaseinthehandsofhisdescendants。EurystheushadbeenkilledinAtticabytheHeraclids。
Atreuswashismother'sbrother；andtothehandsofhisrelation，whohadlefthisfatheronaccountofthedeathofChrysippus，Eurystheus，whenhesetoutonhisexpedition，hadcommittedMycenaeandthegovernment。AstimewentonandEurystheusdidnotreturn，AtreuscompliedwiththewishesoftheMycenaeans，whowereinfluencedbyfearoftheHeraclids-besides，hispowerseemedconsiderable，andhehadnotneglectedtocourtthefavourofthepopulace-andassumedthesceptreofMycenaeandtherestofthedominionsofEurystheus。
AndsothepowerofthedescendantsofPelopscametobegreaterthanthatofthedescendantsofPerseus。ToallthisAgamemnonsucceeded。Hehadalsoanavyfarstrongerthanhiscontemporaries，sothat，inmyopinion，fearwasquiteasstronganelementasloveintheformationoftheconfederateexpedition。Thestrengthofhisnavyisshownbythefactthathisownwasthelargestcontingent，andthatoftheArcadianswasfurnishedbyhim；thisatleastiswhatHomersays，ifhistestimonyisdeemedsufficient。Besides，inhisaccountofthetransmissionofthesceptre，hecallshimOfmanyanisle，andofallArgosking。
NowAgamemnon'swasacontinentalpower；andhecouldnothavebeenmasterofanyexcepttheadjacentislands(andthesewouldnotbemany)，butthroughthepossessionofafleet。
Andfromthisexpeditionwemayinferthecharacterofearlierenterprises。NowMycenaemayhavebeenasmallplace，andmanyofthetownsofthatagemayappearcomparativelyinsignificant，butnoexactobserverwouldthereforefeeljustifiedinrejectingtheestimategivenbythepoetsandbytraditionofthemagnitudeofthearmament。ForIsupposeifLacedaemonweretobecomedesolate，andthetemplesandthefoundationsofthepublicbuildingswereleft，thatastimewentontherewouldbeastrongdispositionwithposteritytorefusetoacceptherfameasatrueexponentofherpower。Andyettheyoccupytwo-fifthsofPeloponneseandleadthewhole，nottospeakoftheirnumerousallieswithout。Still，asthecityisneitherbuiltinacompactformnoradornedwithmagnificenttemplesandpublicedifices，butcomposedofvillagesaftertheoldfashionofHellas，therewouldbeanimpressionofinadequacy。Whereas，ifAthensweretosufferthesamemisfortune，Isupposethatanyinferencefromtheappearancepresentedtotheeyewouldmakeherpowertohavebeentwiceasgreatasitis。Wehavethereforenorighttobesceptical，nortocontentourselveswithaninspectionofatowntotheexclusionofaconsiderationofitspower；butwemaysafelyconcludethatthearmamentinquestionsurpassedallbeforeit，asitfellshortofmodernefforts；ifwecanherealsoacceptthetestimonyofHomer'spoems，inwhich，withoutallowingfortheexaggerationwhichapoetwouldfeelhimselflicensedtoemploy，wecanseethatitwasfarfromequallingours。Hehasrepresenteditasconsistingoftwelvehundredvessels；theBoeotiancomplementofeachshipbeingahundredandtwentymen，thatoftheshipsofPhiloctetesfifty。Bythis，Iconceive，hemeanttoconveythemaximumandtheminimumcomplement:atanyrate，hedoesnotspecifytheamountofanyothersinhiscatalogueoftheships。ThattheywereallrowersaswellaswarriorsweseefromhisaccountoftheshipsofPhiloctetes，inwhichallthemenattheoararebowmen。Nowitisimprobablethatmanysupernumerariessailed，ifweexceptthekingsandhighofficers；especiallyastheyhadtocrosstheopenseawithmunitionsofwar，inships，moreover，thathadnodecks，butwereequippedintheoldpiraticalfashion。Sothatifwestriketheaverageofthelargestandsmallestships，thenumberofthosewhosailedwillappearinconsiderable，representing，astheydid，thewholeforceofHellas。Andthiswasduenotsomuchtoscarcityofmenasofmoney。Difficultyofsubsistencemadetheinvadersreducethenumbersofthearmytoapointatwhichitmightliveonthecountryduringtheprosecutionofthewar。Evenafterthevictorytheyobtainedontheirarrival-andavictorytheremusthavebeen，orthefortificationsofthenavalcampcouldneverhavebeenbuilt-thereisnoindicationoftheirwholeforcehavingbeenemployed；onthecontrary，theyseemtohaveturnedtocultivationoftheChersoneseandtopiracyfromwantofsupplies。ThiswaswhatreallyenabledtheTrojanstokeepthefieldfortenyearsagainstthem；thedispersionoftheenemymakingthemalwaysamatchforthedetachmentleftbehind。Iftheyhadbroughtplentyofsupplieswiththem，andhadperseveredinthewarwithoutscatteringforpiracyandagriculture，theywouldhaveeasilydefeatedtheTrojansinthefield，sincetheycouldholdtheirownagainstthemwiththedivisiononservice。Inshort，iftheyhadstucktothesiege，thecaptureofTroywouldhavecostthemlesstimeandlesstrouble。Butaswantofmoneyprovedtheweaknessofearlierexpeditions，sofromthesamecauseeventheoneinquestion，morefamousthanitspredecessors，maybepronouncedontheevidenceofwhatiteffectedtohavebeeninferiortoitsrenownandtothecurrentopinionaboutitformedunderthetuitionofthepoets。
EvenaftertheTrojanWar，Hellaswasstillengagedinremovingandsettling，andthuscouldnotattaintothequietwhichmustprecedegrowth。ThelatereturnoftheHellenesfromIliumcausedmanyrevolutions，andfactionsensuedalmosteverywhere；anditwasthecitizensthusdrivenintoexilewhofoundedthecities。SixtyyearsafterthecaptureofIlium，themodernBoeotiansweredrivenoutofArnebytheThessalians，andsettledinthepresentBoeotia，theformerCadmeis；thoughtherewasadivisionofthemtherebefore，someofwhomjoinedtheexpeditiontoIlium。Twentyyearslater，theDoriansandtheHeraclidsbecamemastersofPeloponnese；sothatmuchhadtobedoneandmanyyearshadtoelapsebeforeHellascouldattaintoadurabletranquillityundisturbedbyremovals，andcouldbegintosendoutcolonies，asAthensdidtoIoniaandmostoftheislands，andthePeloponnesianstomostofItalyandSicilyandsomeplacesintherestofHellas。AlltheseplaceswerefoundedsubsequentlytothewarwithTroy。
ButasthepowerofHellasgrew，andtheacquisitionofwealthbecamemoreanobject，therevenuesofthestatesincreasing，tyrannieswerebytheirmeansestablishedalmosteverywhere-theoldformofgovernmentbeinghereditarymonarchywithdefiniteprerogatives-andHellasbegantofitoutfleetsandapplyherselfmorecloselytothesea。ItissaidthattheCorinthianswerethefirsttoapproachthemodernstyleofnavalarchitecture，andthatCorinthwasthefirstplaceinHellaswheregalleyswerebuilt；andwehaveAmeinocles，aCorinthianshipwright，makingfourshipsfortheSamians。Datingfromtheendofthiswar，itisnearlythreehundredyearsagothatAmeinocleswenttoSamos。Again，theearliestsea-fightinhistorywasbetweentheCorinthiansandCorcyraeans；thiswasabouttwohundredandsixtyyearsago，datingfromthesametime。
Plantedonanisthmus，Corinthhadfromtimeoutofmindbeenacommercialemporium；asformerlyalmostallcommunicationbetweentheHelleneswithinandwithoutPeloponnesewascarriedonoverland，andtheCorinthianterritorywasthehighwaythroughwhichittravelled。
Shehadconsequentlygreatmoneyresources，asisshownbytheepithet"wealthy"bestowedbytheoldpoetsontheplace，andthisenabledher，whentrafficbyseabecamemorecommon，toprocurehernavyandputdownpiracy；andasshecouldofferamartforbothbranchesofthetrade，sheacquiredforherselfallthepowerwhichalargerevenueaffords。SubsequentlytheIoniansattainedtogreatnavalstrengthinthereignofCyrus，thefirstkingofthePersians，andofhissonCambyses，andwhiletheywereatwarwiththeformercommandedforawhiletheIoniansea。Polycratesalso，thetyrantofSamos，hadapowerfulnavyinthereignofCambyses，withwhichhereducedmanyoftheislands，andamongthemRhenea，whichheconsecratedtotheDelianApollo。AboutthistimealsothePhocaeans，whiletheywerefoundingMarseilles，defeatedtheCarthaginiansinasea-fight。
Thesewerethemostpowerfulnavies。Andeventhese，althoughsomanygenerationshadelapsedsincetheTrojanwar，seemtohavebeenprincipallycomposedoftheoldfifty-oarsandlong-boats，andtohavecountedfewgalleysamongtheirranks。IndeeditwasonlyshortlythePersianwar，andthedeathofDariusthesuccessorofCambyses，thattheSiciliantyrantsandtheCorcyraeansacquiredanylargenumberofgalleys。ForafterthesetherewerenonaviesofanyaccountinHellastilltheexpeditionofXerxes；Aegina，Athens，andothersmayhavepossessedafewvessels，buttheywereprincipallyfifty-oars。ItwasquiteattheendofthisperiodthatthewarwithAeginaandtheprospectofthebarbarianinvasionenabledThemistoclestopersuadetheAthenianstobuildthefleetwithwhichtheyfoughtatSalamis；andeventhesevesselshadnotcompletedecks。
Thenavies，then，oftheHellenesduringtheperiodwehavetraversedwerewhatIhavedescribed。Alltheirinsignificancedidnotpreventtheirbeinganelementofthegreatestpowertothosewhocultivatedthem，alikeinrevenueandindominion。Theywerethemeansbywhichtheislandswerereachedandreduced，thoseofthesmallestareafallingtheeasiestprey。Warsbylandtherewerenone，noneatleastbywhichpowerwasacquired；wehavetheusualbordercontests，butofdistantexpeditionswithconquestforobjectwehearnothingamongtheHellenes。Therewasnounionofsubjectcitiesroundagreatstate，nospontaneouscombinationofequalsforconfederateexpeditions；whatfightingtherewasconsistedmerelyoflocalwarfarebetweenrivalneighbours。ThenearestapproachtoacoalitiontookplaceintheoldwarbetweenChalcisandEretria；
thiswasaquarrelinwhichtherestoftheHellenicnamedidtosomeextenttakesides。
Various，too，weretheobstacleswhichthenationalgrowthencounteredinvariouslocalities。ThepoweroftheIonianswasadvancingwithrapidstrides，whenitcameintocollisionwithPersia，underKingCyrus，who，afterhavingdethronedCroesusandoverruneverythingbetweentheHalysandthesea，stoppednottillhehadreducedthecitiesofthecoast；theislandsbeingonlylefttobesubduedbyDariusandthePhoeniciannavy。
Again，whereverthereweretyrants，theirhabitofprovidingsimplyforthemselves，oflookingsolelytotheirpersonalcomfortandfamilyaggrandizement，madesafetythegreataimoftheirpolicy，andpreventedanythinggreatproceedingfromthem；thoughtheywouldeachhavetheiraffairswiththeirimmediateneighbours。Allthisisonlytrueofthemothercountry，forinSicilytheyattainedtoverygreatpower。ThusforalongtimeeverywhereinHellasdowefindcauseswhichmakethestatesalikeincapableofcombinationforgreatandnationalends，orofanyvigorousactionoftheirown。
ButatlastatimecamewhenthetyrantsofAthensandthefaroldertyranniesoftherestofHellaswere，withtheexceptionofthoseinSicily，onceandforallputdownbyLacedaemon；forthiscity，thoughafterthesettlementoftheDorians，itspresentinhabitants，itsufferedfromfactionsforanunparalleledlengthoftime，stillataveryearlyperiodobtainedgoodlaws，andenjoyedafreedomfromtyrantswhichwasunbroken；ithaspossessedthesameformofgovernmentformorethanfourhundredyears，reckoningtotheendofthelatewar，andhasthusbeeninapositiontoarrangetheaffairsoftheotherstates。Notmanyyearsafterthedepositionofthetyrants，thebattleofMarathonwasfoughtbetweentheMedesandtheAthenians。Tenyearsafterwards，thebarbarianreturnedwiththearmadaforthesubjugationofHellas。Inthefaceofthisgreatdanger，thecommandoftheconfederateHelleneswasassumedbytheLacedaemoniansinvirtueoftheirsuperiorpower；andtheAthenians，havingmadeuptheirmindstoabandontheircity，brokeuptheirhomes，threwthemselvesintotheirships，andbecameanavalpeople。
Thiscoalition，afterrepulsingthebarbarian，soonafterwardssplitintotwosections，whichincludedtheHelleneswhohadrevoltedfromtheKing，aswellasthosewhohadaidedhiminthewar。AttheendoftheonestoodAthens，attheheadoftheotherLacedaemon，onethefirstnaval，theotherthefirstmilitarypowerinHellas。Forashorttimetheleagueheldtogether，tilltheLacedaemoniansandAtheniansquarrelledandmadewaruponeachotherwiththeirallies，aduelintowhichalltheHellenessoonerorlaterweredrawn，thoughsomemightatfirstremainneutral。SothatthewholeperiodfromtheMedianwartothis，withsomepeacefulintervals，wasspentbyeachpowerinwar，eitherwithitsrival，orwithitsownrevoltedallies，andconsequentlyaffordedthemconstantpracticeinmilitarymatters，andthatexperiencewhichislearntintheschoolofdanger。
ThepolicyofLacedaemonwasnottoexacttributefromherallies，butmerelytosecuretheirsubserviencetoherinterestsbyestablishingoligarchiesamongthem；Athens，onthecontrary，hadbydegreesdeprivedhersoftheirships，andimposedinsteadcontributionsinmoneyonallexceptChiosandLesbos。Bothfoundtheirresourcesforthiswarseparatelytoexceedthesumoftheirstrengthwhentheallianceflourishedintact。
Havingnowgiventheresultofmyinquiriesintoearlytimes，I
grantthattherewillbeadifficultyinbelievingeveryparticulardetail。Thewaythatmostmendealwithtraditions，eventraditionsoftheirowncountry，istoreceivethemallalikeastheyaredelivered，withoutapplyinganycriticaltestwhatever。ThegeneralAthenianpublicfancythatHipparchuswastyrantwhenhefellbythehandsofHarmodiusandAristogiton，notknowingthatHippias，theeldestofthesonsofPisistratus，wasreallysupreme，andthatHipparchusandThessaluswerehisbrothers；andthatHarmodiusandAristogitonsuspecting，ontheveryday，nayattheverymomentfixedonforthedeed，thatinformationhadbeenconveyedtoHippiasbytheiraccomplices，concludedthathehadbeenwarned，anddidnotattackhim，yet，notlikingtobeapprehendedandrisktheirlivesfornothing，felluponHipparchusnearthetempleofthedaughtersofLeos，andslewhimashewasarrangingthePanathenaicprocession。
TherearemanyotherunfoundedideascurrentamongtherestoftheHellenes，evenonmattersofcontemporaryhistory，whichhavenotbeenobscuredbytime。Forinstance，thereisthenotionthattheLacedaemoniankingshavetwovoteseach，thefactbeingthattheyhaveonlyone；andthatthereisacompanyofPitane，therebeingsimplynosuchthing。Solittlepainsdothevulgartakeintheinvestigationoftruth，acceptingreadilythefirststorythatcomestohand。Onthewhole，however，theconclusionsIhavedrawnfromtheproofsquotedmay，Ibelieve，safelybereliedon。Assuredlytheywillnotbedisturbedeitherbythelaysofapoetdisplayingtheexaggerationofhiscraft，orbythecompositionsofthechroniclersthatareattractiveattruth'sexpense；thesubjectstheytreatofbeingoutofthereachofevidence，andtimehavingrobbedmostofthemofhistoricalvaluebyenthroningthemintheregionoflegend。Turningfromthese，wecanrestsatisfiedwithhavingproceededupontheclearestdata，andhavingarrivedatconclusionsasexactascanbeexpectedinmattersofsuchantiquity。Tocometothiswar:despitetheknowndispositionoftheactorsinastruggletooverrateitsimportance，andwhenitisovertoreturntotheiradmirationofearlierevents，yetanexaminationofthefactswillshowthatitwasmuchgreaterthanthewarswhichprecededit。
Withreferencetothespeechesinthishistory，someweredeliveredbeforethewarbegan，otherswhileitwasgoingon；someI
heardmyself，othersIgotfromvariousquarters；itwasinallcasesdifficulttocarrythemwordforwordinone'smemory，somyhabithasbeentomakethespeakerssaywhatwasinmyopiniondemandedofthembythevariousoccasions，ofcourseadheringascloselyaspossibletothegeneralsenseofwhattheyreallysaid。Andwithreferencetothenarrativeofevents，farfrompermittingmyselftoderiveitfromthefirstsourcethatcametohand，Ididnoteventrustmyownimpressions，butitrestspartlyonwhatIsawmyself，partlyonwhatotherssawforme，theaccuracyofthereportbeingalwaystriedbythemostsevereanddetailedtestspossible。
Myconclusionshavecostmesomelabourfromthewantofcoincidencebetweenaccountsofthesameoccurrencesbydifferenteye-witnesses，arisingsometimesfromimperfectmemory，sometimesfromunduepartialityforonesideortheother。Theabsenceofromanceinmyhistorywill，Ifear，detractsomewhatfromitsinterest；butifitbejudgedusefulbythoseinquirerswhodesireanexactknowledgeofthepastasanaidtotheinterpretationofthefuture，whichinthecourseofhumanthingsmustresembleifitdoesnotreflectit，I
shallbecontent。Infine，Ihavewrittenmywork，notasanessaywhichistowintheapplauseofthemoment，butasapossessionforalltime。
TheMedianWar，thegreatestachievementofpasttimes，yetfoundaspeedydecisionintwoactionsbyseaandtwobyland。ThePeloponnesianWarwasprolongedtoanimmenselength，and，longasitwas，itwasshortwithoutparallelforthemisfortunesthatitbroughtuponHellas。Neverhadsomanycitiesbeentakenandlaiddesolate，herebythebarbarians，herebythepartiescontending(theoldinhabitantsbeingsometimesremovedtomakeroomforothers)；
neverwastheresomuchbanishingandblood-shedding，nowonthefieldofbattle，nowinthestrifeoffaction。Oldstoriesofoccurrenceshandeddownbytradition，butscantilyconfirmedbyexperience，suddenlyceasedtobeincredible；therewereearthquakesofunparalleledextentandviolence；eclipsesofthesunoccurredwithafrequencyunrecordedinprevioushistory；thereweregreatdroughtsinsundryplacesandconsequentfamines，andthatmostcalamitousandawfullyfatalvisitation，theplague。Allthiscameuponthemwiththelatewar，whichwasbegunbytheAtheniansandPeloponnesiansbythedissolutionofthethirtyyears'trucemadeaftertheconquestofEuboea。Tothequestionwhytheybrokethetreaty，Ianswerbyplacingfirstanaccountoftheirgroundsofcomplaintandpointsofdifference，thatnoonemayeverhavetoasktheimmediatecausewhichplungedtheHellenesintoawarofsuchmagnitude。TherealcauseIconsidertobetheonewhichwasformallymostkeptoutofsight。ThegrowthofthepowerofAthens，andthealarmwhichthisinspiredinLacedaemon，madewarinevitable。Stillitiswelltogivethegroundsallegedbyeithersidewhichledtothedissolutionofthetreatyandthebreakingoutofthewar。
CHAPTERII。
CausesoftheWar-TheAffairofEpidamnus-
TheAffairofPotidaeaTHEcityofEpidamnusstandsontherightoftheentranceoftheIonicGulf。ItsvicinityisinhabitedbytheTaulantians，anIllyrianpeople。TheplaceisacolonyfromCorcyra，foundedbyPhalius，sonofEratocleides，ofthefamilyoftheHeraclids，whohadaccordingtoancientusagebeensummonedforthepurposefromCorinth，themothercountry。ThecolonistswerejoinedbysomeCorinthians，andothersoftheDorianrace。Now，astimewenton，thecityofEpidamnusbecamegreatandpopulous；butfallingapreytofactionsarising，itissaid，fromawarwithherneighboursthebarbarians，shebecamemuchenfeebled，andlostaconsiderableamountofherpower。Thelastactbeforethewarwastheexpulsionofthenoblesbythepeople。Theexiledpartyjoinedthebarbarians，andproceededtoplunderthoseinthecitybyseaandland；andtheEpidamnians，findingthemselveshardpressed，sentambassadorstoCorcyrabeseechingtheirmothercountrynottoallowthemtoperish，buttomakeupmattersbetweenthemandtheexiles，andtoridthemofthewarwiththebarbarians。TheambassadorsseatedthemselvesinthetempleofHeraassuppliants，andmadetheaboverequeststotheCorcyraeans。ButtheCorcyraeansrefusedtoaccepttheirsupplication，andtheyweredismissedwithouthavingeffectedanything。
WhentheEpidamniansfoundthatnohelpcouldbeexpectedfromCorcyra，theywereinastraitwhattodonext。SotheysenttoDelphiandinquiredoftheGodwhethertheyshoulddelivertheircitytotheCorinthiansandendeavourtoobtainsomeassistancefromtheirfounders。TheanswerhegavethemwastodeliverthecityandplacethemselvesunderCorinthianprotection。SotheEpidamnianswenttoCorinthanddeliveredoverthecolonyinobediencetothecommandsoftheoracle。TheyshowedthattheirfoundercamefromCorinth，andrevealedtheanswerofthegod；andtheybeggedthemnottoallowthemtoperish，buttoassistthem。ThistheCorinthiansconsentedtodo。
BelievingthecolonytobelongasmuchtothemselvesastotheCorcyraeans，theyfeltittobeakindofdutytoundertaketheirprotection。Besides，theyhatedtheCorcyraeansfortheircontemptofthemothercountry。Insteadofmeetingwiththeusualhonoursaccordedtotheparentcitybyeveryothercolonyatpublicassemblies，suchasprecedenceatsacrifices，CorinthfoundherselftreatedwithcontemptbyapowerwhichinpointofwealthcouldstandcomparisonwithanyevenoftherichestcommunitiesinHellas，whichpossessedgreatmilitarystrength，andwhichsometimescouldnotrepressaprideinthehighnavalpositionofan，islandwhosenauticalrenowndatedfromthedaysofitsoldinhabitants，thePhaeacians。Thiswasonereasonofthecarethattheylavishedontheirfleet，whichbecameveryefficient；indeedtheybeganthewarwithaforceofahundredandtwentygalleys。
AllthesegrievancesmadeCorintheagertosendthepromisedaidtoEpidamnus。Advertisementwasmadeforvolunteersettlers，andaforceofAmbraciots，Leucadians，andCorinthianswasdispatched。
TheymarchedbylandtoApollonia，aCorinthiancolony，theroutebyseabeingavoidedfromfearofCorcyraeaninterruption。WhentheCorcyraeansheardofthearrivalofthesettlersandtroopsinEpidamnus，andthesurrenderofthecolonytoCorinth，theytookfire。
Instantlyputtingtoseawithfive-and-twentyships，whichwerequicklyfollowedbyothers，theyinsolentlycommandedtheEpidamnianstoreceivebackthebanishednobles-(itmustbepremisedthattheEpidamnianexileshadcometoCorcyraand，pointingtothesepulchresoftheirancestors，hadappealedtotheirkindredtorestorethem)-andtodismisstheCorinthiangarrisonandsettlers。
ButtoallthistheEpidamniansturnedadeafear。UponthistheCorcyraeanscommencedoperationsagainstthemwithafleetoffortysail。Theytookwiththemtheexiles，withaviewtotheirrestoration，andalsosecuredtheservicesoftheIllyrians。Sittingdownbeforethecity，theyissuedaproclamationtotheeffectthatanyofthenativesthatchose，andtheforeigners，mightdepartunharmed，withthealternativeofbeingtreatedasenemies。OntheirrefusaltheCorcyraeansproceededtobesiegethecity，whichstandsonanisthmus；andtheCorinthians，receivingintelligenceoftheinvestmentofEpidamnus，gottogetheranarmamentandproclaimedacolonytoEpidamnus，perfectpoliticalequalitybeingguaranteedtoallwhochosetogo。Anywhowerenotpreparedtosailatoncemight，bypayingdownthesumoffiftyCorinthiandrachmae，haveashareinthecolonywithoutleavingCorinth。Greatnumberstookadvantageofthisproclamation，somebeingreadytostartdirectly，otherspayingtherequisiteforfeit。IncaseoftheirpassagebeingdisputedbytheCorcyraeans，severalcitieswereaskedtolendthemaconvoy。Megarapreparedtoaccompanythemwitheightships，PaleinCephalloniawithfour；Epidaurusfurnishedfive，Hermioneone，Troezentwo，Leucasten，andAmbraciaeight。TheThebansandPhliasianswereaskedformoney，theEleansforhullsaswell；whileCorinthherselffurnishedthirtyshipsandthreethousandheavyinfantry。
WhentheCorcyraeansheardoftheirpreparationstheycametoCorinthwithenvoysfromLacedaemonandSicyon，whomtheypersuadedtoaccompanythem，andbadeherrecallthegarrisonandsettlers，asshehadnothingtodowithEpidamnus。If，however，shehadanyclaimstomake，theywerewillingtosubmitthemattertothearbitrationofsuchofthecitiesinPeloponneseasshouldbechosenbymutualagreement，andthatthecolonyshouldremainwiththecitytowhomthearbitratorsmightassignit。TheywerealsowillingtoreferthemattertotheoracleatDelphi。If，indefianceoftheirprotestations，warwasappealedto，theyshouldbethemselvescompelledbythisviolencetoseekfriendsinquarterswheretheyhadnodesiretoseekthem，andtomakeevenoldtiesgivewaytothenecessityofassistance。TheanswertheygotfromCorinthwasthat，iftheywouldwithdrawtheirfleetandthebarbariansfromEpidamnus，negotiationmightbepossible；but，whilethetownwasstillbeingbesieged，goingbeforearbitratorswasoutofthequestion。TheCorcyraeansretortedthatifCorinthwouldwithdrawhertroopsfromEpidamnustheywouldwithdrawtheirs，ortheywerereadytoletbothpartiesremaininstatuquo，anarmisticebeingconcludedtilljudgmentcouldbegiven。
Turningadeafeartoalltheseproposals，whentheirshipsweremannedandtheirallieshadcomein，theCorinthianssentaheraldbeforethemtodeclarewarand，gettingunderwaywithseventy-fiveshipsandtwothousandheavyinfantry，sailedforEpidamnustogivebattletotheCorcyraeans。ThefleetwasunderthecommandofAristeus，sonofPellichas，Callicrates，sonofCallias，andTimanor，sonofTimanthes；thetroopsunderthatofArchetimus，sonofEurytimus，andIsarchidas，sonofIsarchus。WhentheyhadreachedActiumintheterritoryofAnactorium，atthemouthofthemouthoftheGulfofAmbracia，wherethetempleofApollostands，theCorcyraeanssentonaheraldinalightboattowarnthemnottosailagainstthem。Meanwhiletheyproceededtomantheirships，allofwhichhadbeenequippedforaction，theoldvesselsbeingundergirdedtomakethemseaworthy。OnthereturnoftheheraldwithoutanypeacefulanswerfromtheCorinthians，theirshipsbeingnowmanned，theyputouttoseatomeettheenemywithafleetofeightysail(fortywereengagedinthesiegeofEpidamnus)，formedline，andwentintoaction，andgainedadecisivevictory，anddestroyedfifteenoftheCorinthianvessels。ThesamedayhadseenEpidamnuscompelledbyitsbesiegerstocapitulate；theconditionsbeingthattheforeignersshouldbesold，andtheCorinthianskeptasprisonersofwar，tilltheirfateshouldbeotherwisedecided。
AftertheengagementtheCorcyraeanssetupatrophyonLeukimme，aheadlandofCorcyra，andslewalltheircaptivesexcepttheCorinthians，whomtheykeptasprisonersofwar。Defeatedatsea，theCorinthiansandtheiralliesrepairedhome，andlefttheCorcyraeansmastersofalltheseaaboutthoseparts。SailingtoLeucas，aCorinthiancolony，theyravagedtheirterritory，andburntCyllene，theharbouroftheEleans，becausetheyhadfurnishedshipsandmoneytoCorinth。Foralmostthewholeoftheperiodthatfollowedthebattletheyremainedmastersofthesea，andthealliesofCorinthwereharassedbyCorcyraeancruisers。AtlastCorinth，rousedbythesufferingsofherallies，sentoutshipsandtroopsinthefallofthesummer，whoformedanencampmentatActiumandaboutChimerium，inThesprotis，fortheprotectionofLeucasandtherestofthefriendlycities。TheCorcyraeansontheirpartformedasimilarstationonLeukimme。Neitherpartymadeanymovement，buttheyremainedconfrontingeachothertilltheendofthesummer，andwinterwasathandbeforeeitherofthemreturnedhome。
Corinth，exasperatedbythewarwiththeCorcyraeans，spentthewholeoftheyearaftertheengagementandthatsucceedingitinbuildingships，andinstrainingeverynervetoformanefficientfleet；rowersbeingdrawnfromPeloponneseandtherestofHellasbytheinducementoflargebounties。TheCorcyraeans，alarmedatthenewsoftheirpreparations，beingwithoutasingleallyinHellas(fortheyhadnotenrolledthemselveseitherintheAthenianorintheLacedaemonianconfederacy)，decidedtorepairtoAthensinordertoenterintoallianceandtoendeavourtoprocuresupportfromher。
Corinthalso，hearingoftheirintentions，sentanembassytoAthenstopreventtheCorcyraeannavybeingjoinedbytheAthenian，andherprospectoforderingthewaraccordingtoherwishesbeingthusimpeded。Anassemblywasconvoked，andtherivaladvocatesappeared:
theCorcyraeansspokeasfollows:
"Athenians！whenapeoplethathavenotrenderedanyimportantserviceorsupporttotheirneighboursintimespast，forwhichtheymightclaimtoberepaid，appearbeforethemaswenowappearbeforeyoutosolicittheirassistance，theymayfairlyberequiredtosatisfycertainpreliminaryconditions。Theyshouldshow，first，thatitisexpedientoratleastsafetogranttheirrequest；next，thattheywillretainalastingsenseofthekindness。Butiftheycannotclearlyestablishanyofthesepoints，theymustnotbeannoyediftheymeetwitharebuff。NowtheCorcyraeansbelievethatwiththeirpetitionforassistancetheycanalsogiveyouasatisfactoryansweronthesepoints，andtheyhavethereforedispatchedushither。Ithassohappenedthatourpolicyasregardsyouwithrespecttothisrequest，turnsouttobeinconsistent，andasregardsourinterests，tobeatthepresentcrisisinexpedient。Wesayinconsistent，becauseapowerwhichhasneverinthewholeofherpasthistorybeenwillingtoallyherselfwithanyofherneighbours，isnowfoundaskingthemtoallythemselveswithher。Andwesayinexpedient，becauseinourpresentwarwithCorinthithasleftusinapositionofentireisolation，andwhatonceseemedthewiseprecautionofrefusingtoinvolveourselvesinallianceswithotherpowers，lestweshouldalsoinvolveourselvesinrisksoftheirchoosing，hasnowprovedtobefollyandweakness。ItistruethatinthelatenavalengagementwedrovebacktheCorinthiansfromourshoressingle-handed。ButtheyhavenowgottogetherastilllargerarmamentfromPeloponneseandtherestofHellas；andwe，seeingourutterinabilitytocopewiththemwithoutforeignaid，andthemagnitudeofthedangerwhichsubjectiontothemimplies，finditnecessarytoaskhelpfromyouandfromeveryotherpower。Andwehopetobeexcusedifweforswearouroldprincipleofcompletepoliticalisolation，aprinciplewhichwasnotadoptedwithanysinisterintention，butwasrathertheconsequenceofanerrorinjudgment。
"Nowtherearemanyreasonswhyintheeventofyourcomplianceyouwillcongratulateyourselvesonthisrequesthavingbeenmadetoyou。First，becauseyourassistancewillberenderedtoapowerwhich，herselfinoffensive，isavictimtotheinjusticeofothers。Secondly，becauseallthatwemostvalueisatstakeinthepresentcontest，andyourwelcomeofusunderthesecircumstanceswillbeaproofofgoodwillwhichwilleverkeepalivethegratitudeyouwilllayupinourhearts。Thirdly，yourselvesexcepted，wearethegreatestnavalpowerinHellas。Moreover，canyouconceiveastrokeofgoodfortunemorerareinitself，ormoredishearteningtoyourenemies，thanthatthepowerwhoseadhesionyouwouldhavevaluedabovemuchmaterialandmoralstrengthshouldpresentherselfself-invited，shoulddeliverherselfintoyourhandswithoutdangerandwithoutexpense，andshouldlastlyputyouinthewayofgainingahighcharacterintheeyesoftheworld，thegratitudeofthosewhomyoushallassist，andagreataccessionofstrengthforyourselves？Youmaysearchallhistorywithoutfindingmanyinstancesofapeoplegainingalltheseadvantagesatonce，ormanyinstancesofapowerthatcomesinquestofassistancebeinginapositiontogivetothepeoplewhoseallianceshesolicitsasmuchsafetyandhonourasshewillreceive。Butitwillbeurgedthatitisonlyinthecaseofawarthatweshallbefounduseful。Tothisweanswerthatifanyofyouimaginethatthatwarisfaroff，heisgrievouslymistaken，andisblindtothefactthatLacedaemonregardsyouwithjealousyanddesireswar，andthatCorinthispowerfulthere-thesame，remember，thatisyourenemy，andisevennowtryingtosubdueusasapreliminarytoattackingyou。Andthisshedoestopreventourbecomingunitedbyacommonenmity，andherhavingusbothonherhands，andalsotoensuregettingthestartofyouinoneoftwoways，eitherbycripplingourpowerorbymakingitsstrengthherown。Nowitisourpolicytobebeforehandwithher-thatis，forCorcyratomakeanofferofallianceandforyoutoacceptit；infact，weoughttoformplansagainstherinsteadofwaitingtodefeattheplanssheformsagainstus。
"Ifsheassertsthatforyoutoreceiveacolonyofhersintoallianceisnotright，letherknowthateverycolonythatiswelltreatedhonoursitsparentstate，butbecomesestrangedfromitbyinjustice。Forcolonistsarenotsentforthontheunderstandingthattheyaretobetheslavesofthosethatremainbehind，butthattheyaretobetheirequals。AndthatCorinthwasinjuringusisclear。InvitedtoreferthedisputeaboutEpidamnustoarbitration，theychosetoprosecutetheircomplaintswarratherthanbyafairtrial。Andlettheirconducttowardsuswhoaretheirkindredbeawarningtoyounottobemisledbytheirdeceit，nortoyieldtotheirdirectrequests；concessionstoadversariesonlyendinself-reproach，andthemorestrictlytheyareavoidedthegreaterwillbethechanceofsecurity。
"IfitbeurgedthatyourreceptionofuswillbeabreachofthetreatyexistingbetweenyouandLacedaemon，theansweristhatweareaneutralstate，andthatoneoftheexpressprovisionsofthattreatyisthatitshallbecompetentforanyHellenicstatethatisneutraltojoinwhicheversideitpleases。AnditisintolerableforCorinthtobeallowedtoobtainmenforhernavynotonlyfromherallies，butalsofromtherestofHellas，nosmallnumberbeingfurnishedbyyourownsubjects；whilewearetobeexcludedbothfromtheallianceleftopentousbytreaty，andfromanyassistancethatwemightgetfromotherquarters，andyouaretobeaccusedofpoliticalimmoralityifyoucomplywithourrequest。Ontheotherhand，weshallhavemuchgreatercausetocomplainofyou，ifyoudonotcomplywithit；ifwe，whoareinperilandarenoenemiesofyours，meetwitharepulseatyourhands，whileCorinth，whoistheaggressorandyourenemy，notonlymeetswithnohindrancefromyou，butisevenallowedtodrawmaterialforwarfromyourdependencies。
Thisoughtnottobe，butyoushouldeitherforbidherenlistingmeninyourdominions，oryoushouldlendustoowhathelpyoumaythinkadvisable。
"Butyourrealpolicyistoaffordusavowedcountenanceandsupport。Theadvantagesofthiscourse，aswepremisedinthebeginningofourspeech，aremany。Wementiononethatisperhapsthechief。Couldtherebeaclearerguaranteeofourgoodfaiththanisofferedbythefactthatthepowerwhichisatenmitywithyouisalsoatenmitywithus，andthatthatpowerisfullyabletopunishdefection？Andthereisawidedifferencebetweendecliningtheallianceofaninlandandofamaritimepower。Foryourfirstendeavourshouldbetoprevent，ifpossible，theexistenceofanynavalpowerexceptyourown；failingthis，tosecurethefriendshipofthestrongestthatdoesexist。Andifanyofyoubelievethatwhatweurgeisexpedient，butfeartoactuponthisbelief，lestitshouldleadtoabreachofthetreaty，youmustrememberthatontheonehand，whateveryourfears，yourstrengthwillbeformidabletoyourantagonists；ontheother，whatevertheconfidenceyouderivefromrefusingtoreceiveus，yourweaknesswillhavenoterrorsforastrongenemy。YoumustalsorememberthatyourdecisionisforAthensnolessthanCorcyra，andthatyouarenotmakingthebestprovisionforherinterests，ifatatimewhenyouareanxiouslyscanningthehorizonthatyoumaybeinreadinessforthebreakingoutofthewarwhichisallbutuponyou，youhesitatetoattachtoyoursideaplacewhoseadhesionorestrangementisalikepregnantwiththemostvitalconsequences。Foritliesconvenientlyforthecoast-
navigationinthedirectionofItalyandSicily，beingabletobarthepassageofnavalreinforcementsfromthencetoPeloponnese，andfromPeloponnesethither；anditisinotherrespectsamostdesirablestation。Tosumupasshortlyaspossible，embracingbothgeneralandparticularconsiderations，letthisshowyouthefollyofsacrificingus。RememberthattherearebutthreeconsiderablenavalpowersinHellas-Athens，Corcyra，andCorinth-andthatifyouallowtwoofthesethreetobecomeone，andCorinthtosecureusforherself，youwillhavetoholdtheseaagainsttheunitedfleetsofCorcyraandPeloponnese。Butifyoureceiveus，youwillhaveourshipstoreinforceyouinthestruggle。"
SuchwerethewordsoftheCorcyraeans。Aftertheyhadfinished，theCorinthiansspokeasfollows:
"TheseCorcyraeansinthespeechwehavejusthearddonotconfinethemselvestothequestionoftheirreceptionintoyouralliance。Theyalsotalkofourbeingguiltyofinjustice，andtheirbeingthevictimsofanunjustifiablewar。Itbecomesnecessaryforustotouchuponboththesepointsbeforeweproceedtotherestofwhatwehavetosay，thatyoumayhaveamorecorrectideaofthegroundsofourclaim，andhavegoodcausetorejecttheirpetition。
Accordingtothem，theiroldpolicyofrefusingalloffersofalliancewasapolicyofmoderation。Itwasinfactadoptedforbadends，notforgood；indeedtheirconductissuchastomakethembynomeansdesirousofhavingalliespresenttowitnessit，orofhavingtheshameofaskingtheirconcurrence。Besides，theirgeographicalsituationmakesthemindependentofothers，andconsequentlythedecisionincaseswheretheyinjureanyliesnotwithjudgesappointedbymutualagreement，butwiththemselves，because，whiletheyseldommakevoyagestotheirneighbours，theyareconstantlybeingvisitedbyforeignvesselswhicharecompelledtoputintoCorcyra。Inshort，theobjectthattheyproposetothemselves，intheirspeciouspolicyofcompleteisolation，isnottoavoidsharinginthecrimesofothers，buttosecuremonopolyofcrimetothemselves-thelicenceofoutragewherevertheycancompel，offraudwherevertheycanelude，andtheenjoymentoftheirgainswithoutshame。Andyetiftheywerethehonestmentheypretendtobe，thelessholdthatothershaduponthem，thestrongerwouldbethelightinwhichtheymighthaveputtheirhonestybygivingandtakingwhatwasjust。
"Butsuchhasnotbeentheirconducteithertowardsothersortowardsus。Theattitudeofourcolonytowardsushasalwaysbeenoneofestrangementandisnowoneofhostility；for，saythey:'Wewerenotsentouttobeill-treated。'Werejointhatwedidnotfoundthecolonytobeinsultedbythem，buttobetheirheadandtoberegardedwithaproperrespect。Atanyrateourothercolonieshonourus，andwearemuchbelovedbyourcolonists；andclearly，ifthemajorityaresatisfiedwithus，thesecanhavenogoodreasonforadissatisfactioninwhichtheystandalone，andwearenotactingimproperlyinmakingwaragainstthem，norarewemakingwaragainstthemwithouthavingreceivedsignalprovocation。Besides，ifwewereinthewrong，itwouldbehonourableinthemtogivewaytoourwishes，anddisgracefulforustotrampleontheirmoderation；butintheprideandlicenceofwealththeyhavesinnedagainandagainagainstus，andnevermoredeeplythanwhenEpidamnus，ourdependency，whichtheytooknostepstoclaiminitsdistressuponourcomingtorelieveit，wasbythemseized，andisnowheldbyforceofarms。
"Astotheirallegationthattheywishedthequestiontobefirstsubmittedtoarbitration，itisobviousthatachallengecomingfromthepartywhoissafeinacommandingpositioncannotgainthecreditdueonlytohimwho，beforeappealingtoarms，indeedsaswellaswords，placeshimselfonalevelwithhisadversary。Intheircase，itwasnotbeforetheylaidsiegetotheplace，butaftertheyatlengthunderstoodthatweshouldnottamelysufferit，thattheythoughtofthespeciouswordarbitration。Andnotsatisfiedwiththeirownmisconductthere，theyappearherenowrequiringyoutojoinwiththemnotinalliancebutincrime，andtoreceivetheminspiteoftheirbeingatenmitywithus。Butitwaswhentheystoodfirmestthattheyshouldhavemadeoverturestoyou，andnotatatimewhenwehavebeenwrongedandtheyareinperil；noryetatatimewhenyouwillbeadmittingtoashareinyourprotectionthosewhoneveradmittedyoutoashareintheirpower，andwillbeincurringanequalamountofblamefromuswiththoseinwhoseoffencesyouhadnohand。No，theyshouldhavesharedtheirpowerwithyoubeforetheyaskedyoutoshareyourfortuneswiththem。
"Sothentherealityofthegrievanceswecometocomplainof，andtheviolenceandrapacityofouropponents，havebothbeenproved。Butthatyoucannotequitablyreceivethem，thisyouhavestilltolearn。Itmaybetruethatoneoftheprovisionsofthetreatyisthatitshallbecompetentforanystate，whosenamewasnotdownonthelist，tojoinwhicheversideitpleases。Butthisagreementisnotmeantforthosewhoseobjectinjoiningistheinjuryofotherpowers，butforthosewhoseneedofsupportdoesnotarisefromthefactofdefection，andwhoseadhesionwillnotbringtothepowerthatismadenoughtoreceivethemwarinsteadofpeace；whichwillbethecasewithyou，ifyourefusetolistentous。Foryoucannotbecometheirauxiliaryandremainourfriend；ifyoujoinintheirattack，youmustsharethepunishmentwhichthedefendersinflictonthem。Andyetyouhavethebestpossiblerighttobeneutral，or，failingthis，youshouldonthecontraryjoinusagainstthem。Corinthisatleastintreatywithyou；withCorcyrayouwereneverevenintruce。
Butdonotlaydowntheprinciplethatdefectionistobepatronized。DidweonthedefectionoftheSamiansrecordourvoteagainstyou，whentherestofthePeloponnesianpowerswereequallydividedonthequestionwhethertheyshouldassistthem？No，wetoldthemtotheirfacethateverypowerhasarighttopunishitsownallies。Why，ifyoumakeityourpolicytoreceiveandassistalloffenders，youwillfindthatjustasmanyofyourdependencieswillcomeovertous，andtheprinciplethatyouestablishwillpresslessheavilyonusthanonyourselves。
"ThistheniswhatHelleniclawentitlesustodemandasaright。
Butwehavealsoadvicetoofferandclaimsonyourgratitude，which，sincethereisnodangerofourinjuringyou，aswearenotenemies，andsinceourfriendshipdoesnotamounttoveryfrequentintercourse，wesayoughttobeliquidatedatthepresentjuncture。
WhenyouwereinwantofshipsofwarforthewaragainsttheAeginetans，beforethePersianinvasion，Corinthsuppliedyouwithtwentyvessels。Thatgoodturn，andthelinewetookontheSamianquestion，whenwewerethecauseofthePeloponnesiansrefusingtoassistthem，enabledyoutoconquerAeginaandtopunishSamos。Andweactedthusatcriseswhen，ifever，menarewontintheireffortsagainsttheirenemiestoforgeteverythingforthesakeofvictory，regardinghimwhoassiststhemthenasafriend，evenifthusfarhehasbeenafoe，andhimwhoopposesthemthenasafoe，evenifhehasthusfarbeenafriend；indeedtheyallowtheirrealintereststosufferfromtheirabsorbingpreoccupationinthestruggle。
"Weighwelltheseconsiderations，andletyouryouthlearnwhattheyarefromtheirelders，andletthemdeterminetodountousaswehavedoneuntoyou。Andletthemnotacknowledgethejusticeofwhatwesay，butdisputeitswisdominthecontingencyofwar。Notonlyisthestraightestpathgenerallyspeakingthewisest；butthecomingofthewar，whichtheCorcyraeanshaveusedasabugbeartopersuadeyoutodowrong，isstilluncertain，anditisnotworthwhiletobecarriedawaybyitintogainingtheinstantanddeclaredenmityofCorinth。Itwere，rather，wisetotryandcounteracttheunfavourableimpressionwhichyourconducttoMegarahascreated。
Forkindnessopportunelyshownhasagreaterpowerofremovingoldgrievancesthanthefactsofthecasemaywarrant。Anddonotbeseducedbytheprospectofagreatnavalalliance。Abstinencefromallinjusticetootherfirst-ratepowersisagreatertowerofstrengththananythingthatcanbegainedbythesacrificeofpermanenttranquillityforanapparenttemporaryadvantage。ItisnowourturntobenefitbytheprinciplethatwelaiddownatLacedaemon，thateverypowerhasarighttopunishherownallies。Wenowclaimtoreceivethesamefromyou，andprotestagainstyourrewardingusforbenefitingyoubyourvotebyinjuringusbyyours。Onthecontrary，returnuslikeforlike，rememberingthatthisisthatverycrisisinwhichhewholendsaidismostafriend，andhewhoopposesismostafoe。AndfortheseCorcyraeans-neitherreceivethemintoallianceinourdespite，norbetheirabettorsincrime。Sodo，andyouwillactaswehavearighttoexpectofyou，andatthesametimebestconsultyourowninterests。"
SuchwerethewordsoftheCorinthians。
WhentheAthenianshadheardbothout，twoassemblieswereheld。
InthefirsttherewasamanifestdispositiontolistentotherepresentationsofCorinth；inthesecond，publicfeelinghadchangedandanalliancewithCorcyrawasdecidedon，withcertainreservations。Itwastobeadefensive，notanoffensivealliance。
ItdidnotinvolveabreachofthetreatywithPeloponnese:AthenscouldnotberequiredtojoinCorcyrainanyattackuponCorinth。
Buteachofthecontractingpartieshadarighttotheother'sassistanceagainstinvasion，whetherofhisownterritoryorthatofanally。ForitbegannowtobefeltthatthecomingofthePeloponnesianwarwasonlyaquestionoftime，andnoonewaswillingtoseeanavalpowerofsuchmagnitudeasCorcyrasacrificedtoCorinth；thoughiftheycouldletthemweakeneachotherbymutualconflict，itwouldbenobadpreparationforthestrugglewhichAthensmightonedayhavetowagewithCorinthandtheothernavalpowers。AtthesametimetheislandseemedtolieconvenientlyonthecoastingpassagetoItalyandSicily。Withtheseviews，AthensreceivedCorcyraintoallianceand，onthedepartureoftheCorinthiansnotlongafterwards，senttenshipstotheirassistance。
TheywerecommandedbyLacedaemonius，thesonofCimon，Diotimus，thesonofStrombichus，andProteas，thesonofEpicles。TheirinstructionsweretoavoidcollisionwiththeCorinthianfleetexceptundercertaincircumstances。IfitsailedtoCorcyraandthreatenedalandingonhercoast，orinanyofherpossessions，theyweretodotheirutmosttopreventit。Theseinstructionswerepromptedbyananxietytoavoidabreachofthetreaty。
MeanwhiletheCorinthianscompletedtheirpreparations，andsailedforCorcyrawithahundredandfiftyships。OftheseElisfurnishedten，Megaratwelve，Leucasten，Ambraciatwenty-seven，Anactoriumone，andCorinthherselfninety。Eachofthesecontingentshaditsownadmiral，theCorinthianbeingunderthecommandofXenoclides，sonofEuthycles，withfourcolleagues。SailingfromLeucas，theymadelandatthepartofthecontinentoppositeCorcyra。TheyanchoredintheharbourofChimerium，intheterritoryofThesprotis，abovewhich，atsomedistancefromthesea，liesthecityofEphyre，intheEleandistrict。BythiscitytheAcherusianlakepoursitswatersintothesea。ItgetsitsnamefromtheriverAcheron，whichflowsthroughThesprotisandfallsintothelake。TherealsotheriverThyamisflows，formingtheboundarybetweenThesprotisandKestrine；andbetweentheseriversrisesthepointofChimerium。InthispartofthecontinenttheCorinthiansnowcametoanchor，andformedanencampment。WhentheCorcyraeanssawthemcoming，theymannedahundredandtenships，commandedbyMeikiades，Aisimides，andEurybatus，andstationedthemselvesatoneoftheSybotaisles；thetenAthenianshipsbeingpresent。OnPointLeukimmetheypostedtheirlandforces，andathousandheavyinfantrywhohadcomefromZacynthustotheirassistance。NorweretheCorinthiansonthemainlandwithouttheirallies。Thebarbariansflockedinlargenumberstotheirassistance，theinhabitantsofthispartofthecontinentbeingoldalliesoftheirs。
WhentheCorinthianpreparationswerecompleted，theytookthreedays'provisionsandputoutfromChimeriumbynight，readyforaction。Sailingwiththedawn，theysightedtheCorcyraeanfleetoutatseaandcomingtowardsthem。Whentheyperceivedeachother，bothsidesformedinorderofbattle。OntheCorcyraeanrightwinglaytheAthenianships，therestofthelinebeingoccupiedbytheirownvesselsformedinthreesquadrons，eachofwhichwascommandedbyoneofthethreeadmirals。SuchwastheCorcyraeanformation。TheCorinthianwasasfollows:ontherightwinglaytheMegarianandAmbraciotships，inthecentretherestofthealliesinorder。ButtheleftwascomposedofthebestsailersintheCorinthiannavy，toencountertheAtheniansandtherightwingoftheCorcyraeans。Assoonasthesignalswereraisedoneitherside，theyjoinedbattle。Bothsideshadalargenumberofheavyinfantryontheirdecks，andalargenumberofarchersanddarters，theoldimperfectarmamentstillprevailing。Thesea-fightwasanobstinateone，thoughnotremarkableforitsscience；indeeditwasmorelikeabattlebyland。Whenevertheychargedeachother，themultitudeandcrushofthevesselsmadeitbynomeanseasytogetloose；besides，theirhopesofvictorylayprincipallyintheheavyinfantryonthedecks，whostoodandfoughtinorder，theshipsremainingstationary。Themanoeuvreofbreakingthelinewasnottried；inshort，strengthandpluckhadmoreshareinthefightthanscience。Everywheretumultreigned，thebattlebeingonesceneofconfusion；meanwhiletheAthenianships，bycominguptotheCorcyraeanswhenevertheywerepressed，servedtoalarmtheenemy，thoughtheircommanderscouldnotjoininthebattlefromfearoftheirinstructions。TherightwingoftheCorinthianssufferedmost。TheCorcyraeansroutedit，andchasedthemindisordertothecontinentwithtwentyships，saileduptotheircamp，andburntthetentswhichtheyfoundempty，andplunderedthestuff。SointhisquartertheCorinthiansandtheiralliesweredefeated，andtheCorcyraeanswerevictorious。ButwheretheCorinthiansthemselveswere，ontheleft，theygainedadecidedsuccess；thescantyforcesoftheCorcyraeansbeingfurtherweakenedbythewantofthetwentyshipsabsentonthepursuit。SeeingtheCorcyraeanshardpressed，theAtheniansbeganatlengthtoassistthemmoreunequivocally。Atfirst，itistrue，theyrefrainedfromcharginganyships；butwhentheroutwasbecomingpatent，andtheCorinthianswerepressingon，thetimeatlastcamewheneveryonesetto，andalldistinctionwaslaidaside，anditcametothispoint，thattheCorinthiansandAtheniansraisedtheirhandsagainsteachother。
Aftertherout，theCorinthians，insteadofemployingthemselvesinlashingfastandhaulingafterthemthehullsofthevesselswhichtheyhaddisabled，turnedtheirattentiontothemen，whomtheybutcheredastheysailedthrough，notcaringsomuchtomakeprisoners。Someevenoftheirownfriendswereslainbythem，bymistake，intheirignoranceofthedefeatoftherightwingForthenumberoftheshipsonbothsides，andthedistancetowhichtheycoveredthesea，madeitdifficult，aftertheyhadoncejoined，todistinguishbetweentheconqueringandtheconquered；thisbattleprovingfargreaterthananybeforeit，anyatleastbetweenHellenes，forthenumberofvesselsengaged。AftertheCorinthianshadchasedtheCorcyraeanstotheland，theyturnedtothewrecksandtheirdead，mostofwhomtheysucceededingettingholdofandconveyingtoSybota，therendezvousofthelandforcesfurnishedbytheirbarbarianallies。Sybota，itmustbeknown，isadesertharbourofThesprotis。
Thistaskover，theymusteredanew，andsailedagainsttheCorcyraeans，whoontheirpartadvancedtomeetthemwithalltheirshipsthatwerefitforserviceandremainingtothem，accompaniedbytheAthenianvessels，fearingthattheymightattemptalandingintheirterritory。Itwasbythistimegettinglate，andthepaeanhadbeensungfortheattack，whentheCorinthianssuddenlybegantobackwater。TheyhadobservedtwentyAthenianshipssailingup，whichhadbeensentoutafterwardstoreinforcethetenvesselsbytheAthenians，whofeared，asitturnedoutjustly，thedefeatoftheCorcyraeansandtheinabilityoftheirhandfulofshipstoprotectthem。TheseshipswerethusseenbytheCorinthiansfirst。TheysuspectedthattheywerefromAthens，andthatthosewhichtheysawwerenotall，butthatthereweremorebehind；theyaccordinglybegantoretire。TheCorcyraeansmeanwhilehadnotsightedthem，astheywereadvancingfromapointwhichtheycouldnotsowellsee，andwerewonderingwhytheCorinthianswerebackingwater，whensomecaughtsightofthem，andcriedoutthattherewereshipsinsightahead。Uponthistheyalsoretired；foritwasnowgettingdark，andtheretreatoftheCorinthianshadsuspendedhostilities。Thustheypartedfromeachother，andthebattleceasedwithnight。TheCorcyraeanswereintheircampatLeukimme，whenthesetwentyshipsfromAthens，underthecommandofGlaucon，thesonofLeagrus，andAndocides，sonofLeogoras，boreonthroughthecorpsesandthewrecks，andsaileduptothecamp，notlongaftertheyweresighted。
Itwasnownight，andtheCorcyraeansfearedthattheymightbehostilevessels；buttheysoonknewthem，andtheshipscametoanchor。
ThenextdaythethirtyAthenianvesselsputouttosea，accompaniedbyalltheCorcyraeanshipsthatwereseaworthy，andsailedtotheharbouratSybota，wheretheCorinthianslay，toseeiftheywouldengage。TheCorinthiansputoutfromthelandandformedalineintheopensea，butbeyondthismadenofurthermovement，havingnointentionofassumingtheoffensive。FortheysawreinforcementsarrivedfreshfromAthens，andthemselvesconfrontedbynumerousdifficulties，suchasthenecessityofguardingtheprisonerswhomtheyhadonboardandthewantofallmeansofrefittingtheirshipsinadesertplace。Whattheywerethinkingmoreaboutwashowtheirvoyagehomewastobeeffected；theyfearedthattheAtheniansmightconsiderthatthetreatywasdissolvedbythecollisionwhichhadoccurred，andforbidtheirdeparture。
Accordinglytheyresolvedtoputsomemenonboardaboat，andsendthemwithoutaherald'swandtotheAthenians，asanexperiment。Havingdoneso，theyspokeasfollows:"Youdowrong，Athenians，tobeginwarandbreakthetreaty。Engagedinchastisingourenemies，wefindyouplacingyourselvesinourpathinarmsagainstus。NowifyourintentionsaretopreventussailingtoCorcyra，oranywhereelsethatwemaywish，andifyouareforbreakingthetreaty，firsttakeusthatarehereandtreatusasenemies。"Suchwaswhattheysaid，andalltheCorcyraeanarmamentthatwerewithinhearingimmediatelycalledouttotakethemandkillthem。ButtheAtheniansansweredasfollows:"Neitherarewebeginningwar，Peloponnesians，norarewebreakingthetreaty；buttheseCorcyraeansareourallies，andwearecometohelpthem。Soifyouwanttosailanywhereelse，weplacenoobstacleinyourway；
butifyouaregoingtosailagainstCorcyra，oranyofherpossessions，weshalldoourbesttostopyou。"
ReceivingthisanswerfromtheAthenians，theCorinthianscommencedpreparationsfortheirvoyagehome，andsetupatrophyinSybota，onthecontinent；whiletheCorcyraeanstookupthewrecksanddeadthathadbeencarriedouttothembythecurrent，andbyawindwhichroseinthenightandscatteredtheminalldirections，andsetuptheirtrophyinSybota，ontheisland，asvictors。Thereasonseachsidehadforclaimingthevictorywerethese。TheCorinthianshadbeenvictoriousinthesea-fightuntilnight；andhavingthusbeenenabledtocarryoffmostwrecksanddead，theywereinpossessionofnofewerthanathousandprisonersofwar，andhadsunkcloseuponseventyvessels。TheCorcyraeanshaddestroyedaboutthirtyships，andafterthearrivaloftheAthenianshadtakenupthewrecksanddeadontheirside；theyhadbesidesseentheCorinthiansretirebeforethem，backingwateronsightoftheAthenianvessels，anduponthearrivaloftheAtheniansrefusetosailoutagainstthemfromSybota。Thusbothsidesclaimedthevictory。
TheCorinthiansonthevoyagehometookAnactorium，whichstandsatthemouthoftheAmbraciangulf。Theplacewastakenbytreachery，beingcommongroundtotheCorcyraeansandCorinthians。
AfterestablishingCorinthiansettlersthere，theyretiredhome。EighthundredoftheCorcyraeanswereslaves；thesetheysold；twohundredandfiftytheyretainedincaptivity，andtreatedwithgreatattention，inthehopethattheymightbringovertheircountrytoCorinthontheirreturn；mostofthembeing，asithappened，menofveryhighpositioninCorcyra。InthiswayCorcyramaintainedherpoliticalexistenceinthewarwithCorinth，andtheAthenianvesselslefttheisland。ThiswasthefirstcauseofthewarthatCorinthhadagainsttheAthenians，viz。，thattheyhadfoughtagainstthemwiththeCorcyraeansintimeoftreaty。
Almostimmediatelyafterthis，freshdifferencesarosebetweentheAtheniansandPeloponnesians，andcontributedtheirsharetothewar。Corinthwasformingschemesforretaliation，andAthenssuspectedherhostility。ThePotidaeans，whoinhabittheisthmusofPallene，beingaCorinthiancolony，buttributaryalliesofAthens，wereorderedtorazethewalllookingtowardsPallene，togivehostages，todismisstheCorinthianmagistrates，andinfuturenottoreceivethepersonssentfromCorinthannuallytosucceedthem。ItwasfearedthattheymightbepersuadedbyPerdiccasandtheCorinthianstorevolt，andmightdrawtherestofthealliesinthedirectionofThracetorevoltwiththem。TheseprecautionsagainstthePotidaeansweretakenbytheAtheniansimmediatelyafterthebattleatCorcyra。NotonlywasCorinthatlengthopenlyhostile，butPerdiccas，sonofAlexander，kingoftheMacedonians，hadfromanoldfriendandallybeenmadeanenemy。HehadbeenmadeanenemybytheAtheniansenteringintoalliancewithhisbrotherPhilipandDerdas，whowereinleagueagainsthim。InhisalarmhehadsenttoLacedaemontotryandinvolvetheAtheniansinawarwiththePeloponnesians，andwasendeavouringtowinoverCorinthinordertobringabouttherevoltofPotidaea。HealsomadeoverturestotheChalcidiansinthedirectionofThrace，andtotheBottiaeans，topersuadethemtojoinintherevolt；forhethoughtthatiftheseplacesonthebordercouldbemadehisallies，itwouldbeeasiertocarryonthewarwiththeirco-operation。Alivetoallthis，andwishingtoanticipatetherevoltofthecities，theAtheniansactedasfollows。TheywerejustthensendingoffthirtyshipsandathousandheavyinfantryforhiscountryunderthecommandofArchestratus，sonofLycomedes，withfourcolleagues。TheyinstructedthecaptainstotakehostagesofthePotidaeans，torazethewall，andtobeontheirguardagainsttherevoltoftheneighbouringcities。
MeanwhilethePotidaeanssentenvoystoAthensonthechanceofpersuadingthemtotakenonewstepsintheirmatters；theyalsowenttoLacedaemonwiththeCorinthianstosecuresupportincaseofneed。FailingafterprolongednegotiationtoobtainanythingsatisfactoryfromtheAthenians；beingunable，foralltheycouldsay，topreventthevesselsthatweredestinedforMacedoniafromalsosailingagainstthem；andreceivingfromtheLacedaemoniangovernmentapromisetoinvadeAttica，iftheAtheniansshouldattackPotidaea，thePotidaeans，thusfavouredbythemoment，atlastenteredintoleaguewiththeChalcidiansandBottiaeans，andrevolted。AndPerdiccasinducedtheChalcidianstoabandonanddemolishtheirtownsontheseaboardand，settlinginlandatOlynthus，tomakethatonecityastrongplace:meanwhiletothosewhofollowedhisadvicehegaveapartofhisterritoryinMygdoniaroundLakeBolbeasaplaceofabodewhilethewaragainsttheAtheniansshouldlast。Theyaccordinglydemolishedtheirtowns，removedinlandandpreparedforwar。ThethirtyshipsoftheAthenians，arrivingbeforetheThracianplaces，foundPotidaeaandtherestinrevolt。Theircommanders，consideringittobequiteimpossiblewiththeirpresentforcetocarryonwarwithPerdiccasandwiththeconfederatetownsaswellturnedtoMacedonia，theiroriginaldestination，and，havingestablishedthemselvesthere，carriedonwarinco-operationwithPhilip，andthebrothersofDerdas，whohadinvadedthecountryfromtheinterior。
MeanwhiletheCorinthians，withPotidaeainrevoltandtheAthenianshipsonthecoastofMacedonia，alarmedforthesafetyoftheplaceandthinkingitsdangertheirs，sentvolunteersfromCorinth，andmercenariesfromtherestofPeloponnese，tothenumberofsixteenhundredheavyinfantryinall，andfourhundredlighttroops。Aristeus，sonofAdimantus，whowasalwaysasteadyfriendtothePotidaeans，tookcommandoftheexpedition，anditwasprincipallyforloveofhimthatmostofthemenfromCorinthvolunteered。TheyarrivedinThracefortydaysaftertherevoltofPotidaea。
TheAtheniansalsoimmediatelyreceivedthenewsoftherevoltofthecities。OnbeinginformedthatAristeusandhisreinforcementswereontheirway，theysenttwothousandheavyinfantryoftheirowncitizensandfortyshipsagainsttheplacesinrevolt，underthecommandofCallias，sonofCalliades，andfourcolleagues。TheyarrivedinMacedoniafirst，andfoundtheforceofathousandmenthathadbeenfirstsentout，justbecomemastersofThermeandbesiegingPydna。Accordinglytheyalsojoinedintheinvestment，andbesiegedPydnaforawhile。SubsequentlytheycametotermsandconcludedaforcedalliancewithPerdiccas，hastenedbythecallsofPotidaeaandbythearrivalofAristeusatthatplace。TheywithdrewfromMacedonia，goingtoBeroeaandthencetoStrepsa，and，afterafutileattemptonthelatterplace，theypursuedbylandtheirmarchtoPotidaeawiththreethousandheavyinfantryoftheirowncitizens，besidesanumberoftheirallies，andsixhundredMacedonianhorsemen，thefollowersofPhilipandPausanias。Withthesesailedseventyshipsalongthecoast。Advancingbyshortmarches，onthethirddaytheyarrivedatGigonus，wheretheyencamped。
MeanwhilethePotidaeansandthePeloponnesianswithAristeuswereencampedonthesidelookingtowardsOlynthusontheisthmus，inexpectationoftheAthenians，andhadestablishedtheirmarketoutsidethecity。TheallieshadchosenAristeusgeneralofalltheinfantry；whilethecommandofthecavalrywasgiventoPerdiccas，whohadatoncelefttheallianceoftheAtheniansandgonebacktothatofthePotidaeans，havingdeputedIolausashisgeneral:TheplanofAristeuswastokeephisownforceontheisthmus，andawaittheattackoftheAthenians；leavingtheChalcidiansandthealliesoutsidetheisthmus，andthetwohundredcavalryfromPerdiccasinOlynthustoactupontheAthenianrear，ontheoccasionoftheiradvancingagainsthim；andthustoplacetheenemybetweentwofires。WhileCalliastheAtheniangeneralandhiscolleaguesdispatchedtheMacedonianhorseandafewofthealliestoOlynthus，topreventanymovementbeingmadefromthatquarter，theAtheniansthemselvesbrokeuptheircampandmarchedagainstPotidaea。Aftertheyhadarrivedattheisthmus，andsawtheenemypreparingforbattle，theyformedagainsthim，andsoonafterwardsengaged。ThewingofAristeus，withtheCorinthiansandotherpickedtroopsroundhim，routedthewingopposedtoit，andfollowedforaconsiderabledistanceinpursuit。ButtherestofthearmyofthePotidaeansandofthePeloponnesianswasdefeatedbytheAthenians，andtookrefugewithinthefortifications。Returningfromthepursuit，Aristeusperceivedthedefeatoftherestofthearmy。Beingatalosswhichofthetworiskstochoose，whethertogotoOlynthusortoPotidaea，heatlastdeterminedtodrawhismenintoassmallaspaceaspossible，andforcehiswaywitharunintoPotidaea。Notwithoutdifficulty，throughastormofmissiles，hepassedalongbythebreakwaterthroughthesea，andbroughtoffmostofhismensafe，thoughafewwerelost。MeanwhiletheauxiliariesofthePotidaeansfromOlynthus，whichisaboutsevenmilesoffandinsightofPotidaea，whenthebattlebeganandthesignalswereraised，advancedalittlewaytorenderassistance；andtheMacedonianhorseformedagainstthemtopreventit。ButonvictoryspeedilydeclaringfortheAtheniansandthesignalsbeingtakendown，theyretiredbackwithinthewall；andtheMacedoniansreturnedtotheAthenians。
Thustherewerenocavalrypresentoneitherside。AfterthebattletheAthenianssetupatrophy，andgavebacktheirdeadtothePotidaeansundertruce。ThePotidaeansandtheirallieshadcloseuponthreehundredkilled；theAtheniansahundredandfiftyoftheirowncitizens，andCalliastheirgeneral。
Thewallonthesideoftheisthmushadnowworksatonceraisedagainstit，andmannedbytheAthenians。ThatonthesideofPallenehadnoworksraisedagainstit。TheydidnotthinkthemselvesstrongenoughatoncetokeepagarrisonintheisthmusandtocrossovertoPalleneandraiseworksthere；theywereafraidthatthePotidaeansandtheiralliesmighttakeadvantageoftheirdivisiontoattackthem。MeanwhiletheAtheniansathomelearningthattherewerenoworksatPallene，sometimeafterwardssentoffsixteenhundredheavyinfantryoftheirowncitizensunderthecommandofPhormio，sonofAsopius。ArrivedatPallene，hefixedhisheadquartersatAphytis，andledhisarmyagainstPotidaeabyshortmarches，ravagingthecountryasheadvanced。Nooneventuringtomeethiminthefield，heraisedworksagainstthewallonthesideofPallene。SoatlengthPotidaeawasstronglyinvestedoneitherside，andfromtheseabytheshipsco-operatingintheblockade。Aristeus，seeingitsinvestmentcomplete，andhavingnohopeofitssalvation，exceptintheeventofsomemovementfromthePeloponnese，orofsomeotherimprobablecontingency，advisedallexceptfivehundredtowatchforawindandsailoutoftheplace，inorderthattheirprovisionsmightlastthelonger。Hewaswillingtobehimselfoneofthosewhoremained。Unabletopersuadethem，anddesirousofactingonthenextalternative，andofhavingthingsoutsideinthebestposturepossible，heeludedtheguardshipsoftheAtheniansandsailedout。
RemainingamongtheChalcidians，hecontinuedtocarryonthewar；
inparticularhelaidanambuscadenearthecityoftheSermylians，andcutoffmanyofthem；healsocommunicatedwithPeloponnese，andtriedtocontrivesomemethodbywhichhelpmightbebrought。
Meanwhile，afterthecompletionoftheinvestmentofPotidaea，PhormionextemployedhissixteenhundredmeninravagingChalcidiceandBottica:someofthetownsalsoweretakenbyhim。
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