CHAPTERIII。

CongressofthePeloponnesianConfederacyatLacedaemonTHEAtheniansandPeloponnesianshadtheseantecedentgroundsofcomplaintagainsteachother:thecomplaintofCorinthwasthathercolonyofPotidaea，andCorinthianandPeloponnesiancitizenswithinit，werebeingbesieged；thatofAthensagainstthePeloponnesiansthattheyhadincitedatownofhers，amemberofherallianceandacontributortoherrevenue，torevolt，andhadcomeandwereopenlyfightingagainstheronthesideofthePotidaeans。Forallthis，warhadnotyetbrokenout:therewasstilltruceforawhile；forthiswasaprivateenterpriseonthepartofCorinth。

ButthesiegeofPotidaeaputanendtoherinaction；shehadmeninsideit:besides，shefearedfortheplace。ImmediatelysummoningthealliestoLacedaemon，shecameandloudlyaccusedAthensofbreachofthetreatyandaggressionontherightsofPeloponnese。Withher，theAeginetans，formallyunrepresentedfromfearofAthens，insecretprovednottheleasturgentoftheadvocatesforwar，assertingthattheyhadnottheindependenceguaranteedtothembythetreaty。

AfterextendingthesummonstoanyoftheiralliesandotherswhomighthavecomplaintstomakeofAthenianaggression，theLacedaemoniansheldtheirordinaryassembly，andinvitedthemtospeak。Thereweremanywhocameforwardandmadetheirseveralaccusations；amongthemtheMegarians，inalonglistofgrievances，calledspecialattentiontothefactoftheirexclusionfromtheportsoftheAthenianempireandthemarketofAthens，indefianceofthetreaty。LastofalltheCorinthianscameforward，andhavingletthosewhoprecededtheminflametheLacedaemonians，nowfollowedwithaspeechtothiseffect:

"Lacedaemonians！theconfidencewhichyoufeelinyourconstitutionandsocialorder，inclinesyoutoreceiveanyreflectionsofoursonotherpowerswithacertainscepticism。Hencespringsyourmoderation，buthencealsotheratherlimitedknowledgewhichyoubetrayindealingwithforeignpolitics。TimeaftertimewasourvoiceraisedtowarnyouoftheblowsabouttobedealtusbyAthens，andtimeaftertime，insteadoftakingthetroubletoascertaintheworthofourcommunications，youcontentedyourselveswithsuspectingthespeakersofbeinginspiredbyprivateinterest。Andso，insteadofcallingthesealliestogetherbeforetheblowfell，youhavedelayedtodosotillwearesmartingunderit；alliesamongwhomwehavenottheworsttitletospeak，ashavingthegreatestcomplaintstomake，complaintsofAthenianoutrageandLacedaemonianneglect。NowiftheseassaultsontherightsofHellashadbeenmadeinthedark，youmightbeunacquaintedwiththefacts，anditwouldbeourdutytoenlightenyou。Asitis，longspeechesarenotneededwhereyouseeservitudeaccomplishedforsomeofus，meditatedforothers-inparticularforourallies-andprolongedpreparationsintheaggressoragainstthehourofwar。Orwhat，pray，isthemeaningoftheirreceptionofCorcyrabyfraud，andtheirholdingitagainstusbyforce？whatofthesiegeofPotidaea？-placesoneofwhichliesmostconvenientlyforanyactionagainsttheThraciantowns；whiletheotherwouldhavecontributedaverylargenavytothePeloponnesians？

"Forallthisyouareresponsible。YouitwaswhofirstallowedthemtofortifytheircityaftertheMedianwar，andafterwardstoerectthelongwalls-youwho，thenandnow，arealwaysdeprivingoffreedomnotonlythosewhomtheyhaveenslaved，butalsothosewhohaveasyetbeenyourallies。Forthetrueauthorofthesubjugationofapeopleisnotsomuchtheimmediateagent，asthepowerwhichpermitsithavingthemeanstopreventit；particularlyifthatpoweraspirestothegloryofbeingtheliberatorofHellas。Weareatlastassembled。Ithasnotbeeneasytoassemble，norevennowareourobjectsdefined。Weoughtnottobestillinquiringintothefactofourwrongs，butintothemeansofourdefence。Fortheaggressorswithmaturedplanstoopposetoourindecisionhavecastthreatsasideandbetakenthemselvestoaction。AndweknowwhatarethepathsbywhichAthenianaggressiontravels，andhowinsidiousisitsprogress。Adegreeofconfidenceshemayfeelfromtheideathatyourbluntnessofperceptionpreventsyournoticingher；butitisnothingtotheimpulsewhichheradvancewillreceivefromtheknowledgethatyousee，butdonotcaretointerfere。You，Lacedaemonians，ofalltheHellenesarealoneinactive，anddefendyourselvesnotbydoinganythingbutbylookingasifyouwoulddosomething；youalonewaittillthepowerofanenemyisbecomingtwiceitsoriginalsize，insteadofcrushingitinitsinfancy。Andyettheworldusedtosaythatyouweretobedependedupon；butinyourcase，wefear，itsaidmorethanthetruth。TheMede，weourselvesknow，hadtimetocomefromtheendsoftheearthtoPeloponnese，withoutanyforceofyoursworthyofthenameadvancingtomeethim。

Butthiswasadistantenemy。Well，Athensatalleventsisanearneighbour，andyetAthensyouutterlydisregard；againstAthensyouprefertoactonthedefensiveinsteadofontheoffensive，andtomakeitanaffairofchancesbydeferringthestruggletillshehasgrownfarstrongerthanatfirst。Andyetyouknowthatonthewholetherockonwhichthebarbarianwaswreckedwashimself，andthatifourpresentenemyAthenshasnotagainandagainannihilatedus，weoweitmoretoherblundersthantoyourprotection；Indeed，expectationsfromyouhavebeforenowbeentheruinofsome，whosefaithinducedthemtoomitpreparation。

"Wehopethatnoneofyouwillconsiderthesewordsofremonstrancetoberatherwordsofhostility；menremonstratewithfriendswhoareinerror，accusationstheyreserveforenemieswhohavewrongedthem。Besides，weconsiderthatwehaveasgoodarightasanyonetopointoutaneighbour'sfaults，particularlywhenwecontemplatethegreatcontrastbetweenthetwonationalcharacters；

acontrastofwhich，asfaraswecansee，youhavelittleperception，havingneveryetconsideredwhatsortofantagonistsyouwillencounterintheAthenians，howwidely，howabsolutelydifferentfromyourselves。TheAtheniansareaddictedtoinnovation，andtheirdesignsarecharacterizedbyswiftnessalikeinconceptionandexecution；youhaveageniusforkeepingwhatyouhavegot，accompaniedbyatotalwantofinvention，andwhenforcedtoactyounevergofarenough。Again，theyareadventurousbeyondtheirpower，anddaringbeyondtheirjudgment，andindangertheyaresanguine；

yourwontistoattemptlessthanisjustifiedbyyourpower，tomistrustevenwhatissanctionedbyyourjudgment，andtofancythatfromdangerthereisnorelease。Further，thereispromptitudeontheirsideagainstprocrastinationonyours；theyareneverathome，youareneverfromit:fortheyhopebytheirabsencetoextendtheiracquisitions，youfearbyyouradvancetoendangerwhatyouhaveleftbehind。Theyareswifttofollowupasuccess，andslowtorecoilfromareverse。Theirbodiestheyspendungrudginglyintheircountry'scause；theirintellecttheyjealouslyhusbandtobeemployedinherservice。Aschemeunexecutediswiththemapositiveloss，asuccessfulenterpriseacomparativefailure。Thedeficiencycreatedbythemiscarriageofanundertakingissoonfilledupbyfreshhopes；

fortheyaloneareenabledtocallathinghopedforathinggot，bythespeedwithwhichtheyactupontheirresolutions。Thustheytoilonintroubleanddangerallthedaysoftheirlife，withlittleopportunityforenjoying，beingeverengagedingetting:theironlyideaofaholidayistodowhattheoccasiondemands，andtothemlaboriousoccupationislessofamisfortunethanthepeaceofaquietlife。Todescribetheircharacterinaword，onemighttrulysaythattheywerebornintotheworldtotakenorestthemselvesandtogivenonetoothers。

"SuchisAthens，yourantagonist。Andyet，Lacedaemonians，youstilldelay，andfailtoseethatpeacestayslongestwiththose，whoarenotmorecarefultousetheirpowerjustlythantoshowtheirdeterminationnottosubmittoinjustice。Onthecontrary，youridealoffairdealingisbasedontheprinciplethat，ifyoudonotinjureothers，youneednotriskyourownfortunesinpreventingothersfrominjuringyou。Nowyoucouldscarcelyhavesucceededinsuchapolicyevenwithaneighbourlikeyourselves；butinthepresentinstance，aswehavejustshown，yourhabitsareold-fashionedascomparedwiththeirs。Itisthelawasinart，soinpolitics，thatimprovementseverprevail；andthoughfixedusagesmaybebestforundisturbedcommunities，constantnecessitiesofactionmustbeaccompaniedbytheconstantimprovementofmethods。ThusithappensthatthevastexperienceofAthenshascarriedherfurtherthanyouonthepathofinnovation。

"Here，atleast，letyourprocrastinationend。Forthepresent，assistyouralliesandPotidaeainparticular，asyoupromised，byaspeedyinvasionofAttica，anddonotsacrificefriendsandkindredtotheirbitterestenemies，anddrivetherestofusindespairtosomeotheralliance。SuchastepwouldnotbecondemnedeitherbytheGodswhoreceivedouroaths，orbythemenwhowitnessedthem。Thebreachofatreatycannotbelaidtothepeoplewhomdesertioncompelstoseeknewrelations，buttothepowerthatfailstoassistitsconfederate。Butifyouwillonlyact，wewillstandbyyou；itwouldbeunnaturalforustochange，andnevershouldwemeetwithsuchacongenialally。Forthesereasonschoosetherightcourse，andendeavournottoletPeloponneseunderyoursupremacydegeneratefromtheprestigethatitenjoyedunderthatofyourancestors。"

SuchwerethewordsoftheCorinthians。TherehappenedtobeAthenianenvoyspresentatLacedaemononotherbusiness。OnhearingthespeechestheythoughtthemselvescalledupontocomebeforetheLacedaemonians。Theirintentionwasnottoofferadefenceonanyofthechargeswhichthecitiesbroughtagainstthem，buttoshowonacomprehensiveviewthatitwasnotamattertobehastilydecidedon，butonethatdemandedfurtherconsideration。TherewasalsoawishtocallattentiontothegreatpowerofAthens，andtorefreshthememoryoftheoldandenlightentheignoranceoftheyoung，fromanotionthattheirwordsmighthavetheeffectofinducingthemtoprefertranquillitytowar。SotheycametotheLacedaemoniansandsaidthattheytoo，iftherewasnoobjection，wishedtospeaktotheirassembly。Theyrepliedbyinvitingthemtocomeforward。TheAtheniansadvanced，andspokeasfollows:

"Theobjectofourmissionherewasnottoarguewithyourallies，buttoattendtothemattersonwhichourstatedispatchedus。

However，thevehemenceoftheoutcrythatwehearagainstushasprevailedonustocomeforward。Itisnottocombattheaccusationsofthecities(indeedyouarenotthejudgesbeforewhomeitherweortheycanplead)，buttopreventyourtakingthewrongcourseonmattersofgreatimportancebyyieldingtooreadilytothepersuasionsofyourallies。Wealsowishtoshowonareviewofthewholeindictmentthatwehaveafairtitletoourpossessions，andthatourcountryhasclaimstoconsideration。Weneednotrefertoremoteantiquity:therewecouldappealtothevoiceoftradition，butnottotheexperienceofouraudience。ButtotheMedianWarandcontemporaryhistorywemustrefer，althoughwearerathertiredofcontinuallybringingthissubjectforward。Inouractionduringthatwarwerangreatrisktoobtaincertainadvantages:youhadyourshareinthesolidresults，donottrytorobusofallshareinthegoodthattheglorymaydous。However，thestoryshallbetoldnotsomuchtodeprecatehostilityastotestifyagainstit，andtoshow，ifyouaresoilladvisedastoenterintoastrugglewithAthens，whatsortofanantagonistsheislikelytoprove。WeassertthatatMarathonwewereatthefront，andfacedthebarbariansingle-handed。Thatwhenhecamethesecondtime，unabletocopewithhimbylandwewentonboardourshipswithallourpeople，andjoinedintheactionatSalamis。ThispreventedhistakingthePeloponnesianstatesindetail，andravagingthemwithhisfleet；whenthemultitudeofhisvesselswouldhavemadeanycombinationforself-defenceimpossible。Thebestproofofthiswasfurnishedbytheinvaderhimself。Defeatedatsea，heconsideredhispowertobenolongerwhatithadbeen，andretiredasspeedilyaspossiblewiththegreaterpartofhisarmy。

"Such，then，wastheresultofthematter，anditwasclearlyprovedthatitwasonthefleetofHellasthathercausedepended。Well，tothisresultwecontributedthreeveryusefulelements，viz。，thelargestnumberofships，theablestcommander，andthemostunhesitatingpatriotism。Ourcontingentofshipswaslittlelessthantwo-thirdsofthewholefourhundred；thecommanderwasThemistocles，throughwhomchieflyitwasthatthebattletookplaceinthestraits，theacknowledgedsalvationofourcause。Indeed，thiswasthereasonofyourreceivinghimwithhonourssuchashadneverbeenaccordedtoanyforeignvisitor。Whilefordaringpatriotismwehadnocompetitors。Receivingnoreinforcementsfrombehind，seeingeverythinginfrontofusalreadysubjugated，wehadthespirit，afterabandoningourcity，aftersacrificingourproperty(insteadofdesertingtheremainderoftheleagueordeprivingthemofourservicesbydispersing)，tothrowourselvesintoourshipsandmeetthedanger，withoutathoughtofresentingyourneglecttoassistus。Weassert，therefore，thatweconferredonyouquiteasmuchaswereceived。Foryouhadastaketofightfor；thecitieswhichyouhadleftwerestillfilledwithyourhomes，andyouhadtheprospectofenjoyingthemagain；andyourcomingwaspromptedquiteasmuchbyfearforyourselvesasforus；atallevents，youneverappearedtillwehadnothinglefttolose。Butweleftbehindusacitythatwasacitynolonger，andstakedourlivesforacitythathadanexistenceonlyindesperatehope，andsoboreourfullshareinyourdeliveranceandinours。Butifwehadcopiedothers，andallowedfearsforourterritorytomakeusgiveinouradhesiontotheMedebeforeyoucame，orifwehadsufferedourruintobreakourspiritandpreventusembarkinginourships，yournavalinferioritywouldhavemadeasea-fightunnecessary，andhisobjectswouldhavebeenpeaceablyattained。

"Surely，Lacedaemonians，neitherbythepatriotismthatwedisplayedatthatcrisis，norbythewisdomofourcounsels，dowemeritourextremeunpopularitywiththeHellenes，notatleastunpopularityforourempire。Thatempireweacquiredbynoviolentmeans，butbecauseyouwereunwillingtoprosecutetoitsconclusionthewaragainstthebarbarian，andbecausethealliesattachedthemselvestousandspontaneouslyaskedustoassumethecommand。Andthenatureofthecasefirstcompelledustoadvanceourempiretoitspresentheight；fearbeingourprincipalmotive，thoughhonourandinterestafterwardscamein。Andatlast，whenalmostallhatedus，whensomehadalreadyrevoltedandhadbeensubdued，whenyouhadceasedtobethefriendsthatyouoncewere，andhadbecomeobjectsofsuspicionanddislike，itappearednolongersafetogiveupourempire；

especiallyasallwholeftuswouldfalltoyou。Andnoonecanquarrelwithapeopleformaking，inmattersoftremendousrisk，thebestprovisionthatitcanforitsinterest。

"You，atallevents，Lacedaemonians，haveusedyoursupremacytosettlethestatesinPeloponneseasisagreeabletoyou。Andifattheperiodofwhichwewerespeakingyouhadperseveredtotheendofthematter，andhadincurredhatredinyourcommand，wearesurethatyouwouldhavemadeyourselvesjustasgallingtotheallies，andwouldhavebeenforcedtochoosebetweenastronggovernmentanddangertoyourselves。Itfollowsthatitwasnotaverywonderfulaction，orcontrarytothecommonpracticeofmankind，ifwedidacceptanempirethatwasofferedtous，andrefusedtogiveitupunderthepressureofthreeofthestrongestmotives，fear，honour，andinterest。Anditwasnotwewhosettheexample，forithasalwaysbeenlawthattheweakershouldbesubjecttothestronger。Besides，webelievedourselvestobeworthyofourposition，andsoyouthoughtustillnow，whencalculationsofinteresthavemadeyoutakeupthecryofjustice-aconsiderationwhichnooneeveryetbroughtforwardtohinderhisambitionwhenhehadachanceofgaininganythingbymight。Andpraiseisduetoallwho，ifnotsosuperiortohumannatureastorefusedominion，yetrespectjusticemorethantheirpositioncompelsthemtodo。

"Weimaginethatourmoderationwouldbebestdemonstratedbytheconductofotherswhoshouldbeplacedinourposition；butevenourequityhasveryunreasonablysubjectedustocondemnationinsteadofapproval。Ourabatementofourrightsinthecontracttrialswithourallies，andourcausingthemtobedecidedbyimpartiallawsatAthens，havegainedusthecharacterofbeinglitigious。Andnonecaretoinquirewhythisreproachisnotbroughtagainstotherimperialpowers，whotreattheirsubjectswithlessmoderationthanwedo；

thesecretbeingthatwhereforcecanbeused，lawisnotneeded。

Butoursubjectsaresohabituatedtoassociatewithusasequalsthatanydefeatwhateverthatclasheswiththeirnotionsofjustice，whetheritproceedsfromalegaljudgmentorfromthepowerwhichourempiregivesus，makesthemforgettobegratefulforbeingallowedtoretainmostoftheirpossessions，andmorevexedatapartbeingtaken，thanifwehadfromthefirstcastlawasideandopenlygratifiedourcovetousness。Ifwehaddoneso，notevenwouldtheyhavedisputedthattheweakermustgivewaytothestronger。

Men'sindignation，itseems，ismoreexcitedbylegalwrongthanbyviolentwrong；thefirstlookslikebeingcheatedbyanequal，thesecondlikebeingcompelledbyasuperior。AtalleventstheycontrivedtoputupwithmuchworsetreatmentthanthisfromtheMede，yettheythinkourrulesevere，andthisistobeexpected，forthepresentalwaysweighsheavyontheconquered。Thisatleastiscertain。Ifyouweretosucceedinoverthrowingusandintakingourplace，youwouldspeedilylosethepopularitywithwhichfearofushasinvestedyou，ifyourpolicyofto-dayisatalltotallywiththesamplethatyougaveofitduringthebriefperiodofyourcommandagainsttheMede。Notonlyisyourlifeathomeregulatedbyrulesandinstitutionsincompatiblewiththoseofothers，butyourcitizensabroadactneitherontheserulesnoronthosewhicharerecognizedbytherestofHellas。

"Taketimetheninformingyourresolution，asthematterisofgreatimportance；anddonotbepersuadedbytheopinionsandcomplaintsofotherstobringtroubleonyourselves，butconsiderthevastinfluenceofaccidentinwar，beforeyouareengagedinit。

Asitcontinues，itgenerallybecomesanaffairofchances，chancesfromwhichneitherofusisexempt，andwhoseeventwemustriskinthedark。Itisacommonmistakeingoingtowartobeginatthewrongend，toactfirst，andwaitfordisastertodiscussthematter。Butwearenotyetbyanymeanssomisguided，nor，sofaraswecansee，areyou；accordingly，whileitisstillopentousbothtochoosearight，webidyounottodissolvethetreaty，ortobreakyouroaths，buttohaveourdifferencessettledbyarbitrationaccordingtoouragreement。Orelsewetakethegodswhoheardtheoathstowitness，andifyoubeginhostilities，whateverlineofactionyouchoose，wewilltrynottobebehindhandinrepellingyou。"

SuchwerethewordsoftheAthenians。AftertheLacedaemonianshadheardthecomplaintsofthealliesagainsttheAthenians，andtheobservationsofthelatter，theymadeallwithdraw，andconsultedbythemselvesonthequestionbeforethem。Theopinionsofthemajorityallledtothesameconclusion；theAthenianswereopenaggressors，andwarmustbedeclaredatonce。ButArchidamus，theLacedaemonianking，cameforward，whohadthereputationofbeingatonceawiseandamoderateman，andmadethefollowingspeech:

"Ihavenotlivedsolong，Lacedaemonians，withouthavinghadtheexperienceofmanywars，andIseethoseamongyouofthesameageasmyself，whowillnotfallintothecommonmisfortuneoflongingforwarfrominexperienceorfromabeliefinitsadvantageanditssafety。This，thewaronwhichyouarenowdebating，wouldbeoneofthegreatestmagnitude，onasoberconsiderationofthematter。InastrugglewithPeloponnesiansandneighboursourstrengthisofthesamecharacter，anditispossibletomoveswiftlyonthedifferentpoints。Butastrugglewithapeoplewholiveinadistantland，whohavealsoanextraordinaryfamiliaritywiththesea，andwhoareinthehigheststateofpreparationineveryotherdepartment；withwealthprivateandpublic，withships，andhorses，andheavyinfantry，andapopulationsuchasnooneotherHellenicplacecanequal，andlastlyanumberoftributaryallies-whatcanjustifyusinrashlybeginningsuchastruggle？whereinisourtrustthatweshouldrushonitunprepared？Isitinourships？Thereweareinferior；whileifwearetopractiseandbecomeamatchforthem，timemustintervene。

Isitinourmoney？Therewehaveafargreaterdeficiency。Weneitherhaveitinourtreasury，norarewereadytocontributeitfromourprivatefunds。Confidencemightpossiblybefeltinoursuperiorityinheavyinfantryandpopulation，whichwillenableustoinvadeanddevastatetheirlands。ButtheAthenianshaveplentyofotherlandintheirempire，andcanimportwhattheywantbysea。Again，ifwearetoattemptaninsurrectionoftheirallies，thesewillhavetobesupportedwithafleet，mostofthembeingislanders。Whatthenistobeourwar？Forunlesswecaneitherbeatthematsea，ordeprivethemoftherevenueswhichfeedtheirnavy，weshallmeetwithlittlebutdisaster。Meanwhileourhonourwillbepledgedtokeepingon，particularlyifitbetheopinionthatwebeganthequarrel。Forletusneverbeelatedbythefatalhopeofthewarbeingquicklyendedbythedevastationoftheirlands。Ifearratherthatwemayleaveitasalegacytoourchildren；soimprobableisitthattheAthenianspiritwillbetheslaveoftheirland，orAthenianexperiencebecowedbywar。

"NotthatIwouldbidyoubesounfeelingastosufferthemtoinjureyourallies，andtorefrainfromunmaskingtheirintrigues；butIdobidyounottotakeuparmsatonce，buttosendandremonstratewiththeminatonenottoosuggestiveofwar，noragaintoosuggestiveofsubmission，andtoemploytheintervalinperfectingourownpreparations。Themeanswillbe，first，theacquisitionofallies，Hellenicorbarbarianitmattersnot，solongastheyareanaccessiontoourstrengthnavalorpecuniary-IsayHellenicorbarbarian，becausetheodiumofsuchanaccessiontoallwholikeusaretheobjectsofthedesignsoftheAtheniansistakenawaybythelawofself-preservation-andsecondlythedevelopmentofourhomeresources。Iftheylistentoourembassy，somuchthebetter；butifnot，afterthelapseoftwoorthreeyearsourpositionwillhavebecomemateriallystrengthened，andwecanthenattackthemifwethinkproper。Perhapsbythattimethesightofourpreparations，backedbylanguageequallysignificant，willhavedisposedthemtosubmission，whiletheirlandisstilluntouched，andwhiletheircounselsmaybedirectedtotheretentionofadvantagesasyetundestroyed。Fortheonlylightinwhichyoucanviewtheirlandisthatofahostageinyourhands，ahostagethemorevaluablethebetteritiscultivated。Thisyououghttospareaslongaspossible，andnotmakethemdesperate，andsoincreasethedifficultyofdealingwiththem。Forifwhilestillunprepared，hurriedawaybythecomplaintsofourallies，weareinducedtolayitwaste，haveacarethatwedonotbringdeepdisgraceanddeepperplexityuponPeloponnese。Complaints，whetherofcommunitiesorindividuals，itispossibletoadjust；butwarundertakenbyacoalitionforsectionalinterests，whoseprogressthereisnomeansofforeseeing，doesnoteasilyadmitofcreditablesettlement。

"Andnoneneedthinkitcowardiceforanumberofconfederatestopausebeforetheyattackasinglecity。TheAthenianshavealliesasnumerousasourown，andalliesthatpaytribute，andwarisamatternotsomuchofarmsasofmoney，whichmakesarmsofuse。Andthisismorethanevertrueinastrugglebetweenacontinentalandamaritimepower。First，then，letusprovidemoney，andnotallowourselvestobecarriedawaybythetalkofouralliesbeforewehavedoneso:asweshallhavethelargestshareofresponsibilityfortheconsequencesbetheygoodorbad，wehavealsoarighttoatranquilinquiryrespectingthem。

"Andtheslownessandprocrastination，thepartsofourcharacterthataremostassailedbytheircriticism，neednotmakeyoublush。Ifweundertakethewarwithoutpreparation，weshouldbyhasteningitscommencementonlydelayitsconclusion:further，afreeandafamouscityhasthroughalltimebeenours。Thequalitywhichtheycondemnisreallynothingbutawisemoderation；thankstoitspossession，wealonedonotbecomeinsolentinsuccessandgivewaylessthanothersinmisfortune；wearenotcarriedawaybythepleasureofhearingourselvescheeredontoriskswhichourjudgmentcondemns；

nor，ifannoyed，areweanythemoreconvincedbyattemptstoexasperateusbyaccusation。Wearebothwarlikeandwise，anditisoursenseoforderthatmakesusso。Wearewarlike，becauseself-controlcontainshonourasachiefconstituent，andhonourbravery。Andwearewise，becauseweareeducatedwithtoolittlelearningtodespisethelaws，andwithtoosevereaself-controltodisobeythem，andarebroughtupnottobetooknowinginuselessmatters-suchastheknowledgewhichcangiveaspeciouscriticismofanenemy'splansintheory，butfailstoassailthemwithequalsuccessinpractice-butaretaughttoconsiderthattheschemesofourenemiesarenotdissimilartoourown，andthatthefreaksofchancearenotdeterminablebycalculation。Inpracticewealwaysbaseourpreparationsagainstanenemyontheassumptionthathisplansaregood；indeed，itisrighttorestourhopesnotonabeliefinhisblunders，butonthesoundnessofourprovisions。Noroughtwetobelievethatthereismuchdifferencebetweenmanandman，buttothinkthatthesuperioritylieswithhimwhoisrearedintheseverestschool。Thesepractices，then，whichourancestorshavedeliveredtous，andbywhosemaintenancewehavealwaysprofited，mustnotbegivenup。Andwemustnotbehurriedintodecidinginaday'sbriefspaceaquestionwhichconcernsmanylivesandfortunesandmanycities，andinwhichhonourisdeeplyinvolved-butwemustdecidecalmly。Thisourstrengthpeculiarlyenablesustodo。AsfortheAthenians，sendtothemonthematterofPotidaea，sendonthematteroftheallegedwrongsoftheallies，particularlyastheyarepreparedwithlegalsatisfaction；andtoproceedagainstonewhooffersarbitrationasagainstawrongdoer，lawforbids。Meanwhiledonotomitpreparationforwar。Thisdecisionwillbethebestforyourselves，themostterribletoyouropponents。"

SuchwerethewordsofArchidamus。LastcameforwardSthenelaidas，oneoftheephorsforthatyear，andspoketotheLacedaemoniansasfollows:

"ThelongspeechoftheAtheniansIdonotpretendtounderstand。

Theysaidagooddealinpraiseofthemselves，butnowheredeniedthattheyareinjuringouralliesandPeloponnese。AndyetiftheybehavedwellagainsttheMedethen，butilltowardsusnow，theydeservedoublepunishmentforhavingceasedtobegoodandforhavingbecomebad。Wemeanwhilearethesamethenandnow，andshallnot，ifwearewise，disregardthewrongsofourallies，orputofftillto-morrowthedutyofassistingthosewhomustsufferto-day。

Othershavemuchmoneyandshipsandhorses，butwehavegoodallieswhomwemustnotgiveuptotheAthenians，norbylawsuitsandwordsdecidethematter，asitisanythingbutinwordthatweareharmed，butrenderinstantandpowerfulhelp。Andletusnotbetoldthatitisfittingforustodeliberateunderinjustice；longdeliberationisratherfittingforthosewhohaveinjusticeincontemplation。

Votetherefore，Lacedaemonians，forwar，asthehonourofSpartademands，andneitherallowthefurtheraggrandizementofAthens，norbetrayouralliestoruin，butwiththegodsletusadvanceagainsttheaggressors。"

Withthesewordshe，asephor，himselfputthequestiontotheassemblyoftheLacedaemonians。Hesaidthathecouldnotdeterminewhichwastheloudestacclamation(theirmodeofdecisionisbyacclamationnotbyvoting)；thefactbeingthathewishedtomakethemdeclaretheiropinionopenlyandthustoincreasetheirardourforwar。Accordinglyhesaid:"AllLacedaemonianswhoareofopinionthatthetreatyhasbeenbroken，andthatAthensisguilty，leaveyourseatsandgothere，"pointingoutacertainplace；"allwhoareoftheoppositeopinion，there。"Theyaccordinglystoodupanddivided；andthosewhoheldthatthetreatyhadbeenbrokenwereinadecidedmajority。Summoningtheallies，theytoldthemthattheiropinionwasthatAthenshadbeenguiltyofinjustice，butthattheywishedtoconvokeallthealliesandputittothevote；inorderthattheymightmakewar，iftheydecidedtodoso，onacommonresolution。

Havingthusgainedtheirpoint，thedelegatesreturnedhomeatonce；

theAthenianenvoysalittlelater，whentheyhaddispatchedtheobjectsoftheirmission。Thisdecisionoftheassembly，judgingthatthetreatyhadbeenbroken，wasmadeinthefourteenthyearofthethirtyyears'truce，whichwasenteredintoaftertheaffairofEuboea。

TheLacedaemoniansvotedthatthetreatyhadbeenbroken，andthatthewarmustbedeclared，notsomuchbecausetheywerepersuadedbytheargumentsoftheallies，asbecausetheyfearedthegrowthofthepoweroftheAthenians，seeingmostofHellasalreadysubjecttothem。

CHAPTERIV。

FromtheendofthePersiantothebeginningofthePeloponnesianWar-TheProgressfromSupremacytoEmpireTHEwayinwhichAthenscametobeplacedinthecircumstancesunderwhichherpowergrewwasthis。AftertheMedeshadreturnedfromEurope，defeatedbyseaandlandbytheHellenes，andafterthoseofthemwhohadfledwiththeirshipstoMycalehadbeendestroyed，Leotychides，kingoftheLacedaemonians，thecommanderoftheHellenesatMycale，departedhomewiththealliesfromPeloponnese。ButtheAtheniansandthealliesfromIoniaandHellespont，whohadnowrevoltedfromtheKing，remainedandlaidsiegetoSestos，whichwasstillheldbytheMedes。Afterwinteringbeforeit，theybecamemastersoftheplaceonitsevacuationbythebarbarians；andafterthistheysailedawayfromHellesponttotheirrespectivecities。MeanwhiletheAthenianpeople，afterthedepartureofthebarbarianfromtheircountry，atonceproceededtocarryovertheirchildrenandwives，andsuchpropertyastheyhadleft，fromtheplaceswheretheyhaddepositedthem，andpreparedtorebuildtheircityandtheirwalls。Foronlyisolatedportionsofthecircumferencehadbeenleftstanding，andmostofthehouseswereinruins；thoughafewremained，inwhichthePersiangrandeeshadtakenuptheirquarters。

Perceivingwhattheyweregoingtodo，theLacedaemonianssentanembassytoAthens。Theywouldhavethemselvespreferredtoseeneitherhernoranyothercityinpossessionofawall；thoughheretheyactedprincipallyattheinstigationoftheirallies，whowerealarmedatthestrengthofhernewlyacquirednavyandthevalourwhichshehaddisplayedinthewarwiththeMedes。Theybeggedhernotonlytoabstainfrombuildingwallsforherself，butalsotojointheminthrowingdownthewallsthatstillheldtogetheroftheultra-Peloponnesiancities。Therealmeaningoftheiradvice，thesuspicionthatitcontainedagainsttheAthenians，wasnotproclaimed；

itwasurgedthatsothebarbarian，intheeventofathirdinvasion，wouldnothaveanystrongplace，suchashenowhadinThebes，forhisbaseofoperations；andthatPeloponnesewouldsufficeforallasabasebothforretreatandoffence。AftertheLacedaemonianshadthusspoken，theywere，ontheadviceofThemistocles，immediatelydismissedbytheAthenians，withtheanswerthatambassadorsshouldbesenttoSpartatodiscussthequestion。ThemistoclestoldtheAthenianstosendhimoffwithallspeedtoLacedaemon，butnottodispatchhiscolleaguesassoonastheyhadselectedthem，buttowaituntiltheyhadraisedtheirwalltotheheightfromwhichdefencewaspossible。Meanwhilethewholepopulationinthecitywastolabouratthewall，theAthenians，theirwives，andtheirchildren，sparingnoedifice，privateorpublic，whichmightbeofanyusetothework，butthrowingalldown。Aftergivingtheseinstructions，andaddingthathewouldberesponsibleforallothermattersthere，hedeparted。ArrivedatLacedaemonhedidnotseekanaudiencewiththeauthorities，buttriedtogaintimeandmadeexcuses。Whenanyofthegovernmentaskedhimwhyhedidnotappearintheassembly，hewouldsaythathewaswaitingforhiscolleagues，whohadbeendetainedinAthensbysomeengagement；however，thatheexpectedtheirspeedyarrival，andwonderedthattheywerenotyetthere。AtfirsttheLacedaemonianstrustedthewordsofThemistocles，throughtheirfriendshipforhim；butwhenothersarrived，alldistinctlydeclaringthattheworkwasgoingonandalreadyattainingsomeelevation，theydidnotknowhowtodisbelieveit。Awareofthis，hetoldthemthatrumoursaredeceptive，andshouldnotbetrusted；theyshouldsendsomereputablepersonsfromSpartatoinspect，whosereportmightbetrusted。Theydispatchedthemaccordingly。ConcerningtheseThemistoclessecretlysentwordtotheAthenianstodetainthemasfaraspossiblewithoutputtingthemunderopenconstraint，andnottoletthemgountiltheyhadthemselvesreturned。Forhiscolleagueshadnowjoinedhim，Abronichus，sonofLysicles，andAristides，sonofLysimachus，withthenewsthatthewallwassufficientlyadvanced；andhefearedthatwhentheLacedaemoniansheardthefacts，theymightrefusetoletthemgo。SotheAtheniansdetainedtheenvoysaccordingtohismessage，andThemistocleshadanaudiencewiththeLacedaemonians，andatlastopenlytoldthemthatAthenswasnowfortifiedsufficientlytoprotectitsinhabitants；thatanyembassywhichtheLacedaemoniansortheiralliesmightwishtosendtothemshouldinfutureproceedontheassumptionthatthepeopletowhomtheyweregoingwasabletodistinguishbothitsownandthegeneralinterests。ThatwhentheAtheniansthoughtfittoabandontheircityandtoembarkintheirships，theyventuredonthatperilousstepwithoutconsultingthem；

andthatontheotherhand，wherevertheyhaddeliberatedwiththeLacedaemonians，theyhadprovedthemselvestobeinjudgmentsecondtonone。Thattheynowthoughtitfitthattheircityshouldhaveawall，andthatthiswouldbemorefortheadvantageofboththecitizensofAthensandtheHellenicconfederacy；forwithoutequalmilitarystrengthitwasimpossibletocontributeequalorfaircounseltothecommoninterest。Itfollowed，heobserved，eitherthatallthemembersoftheconfederacyshouldbewithoutwalls，orthatthepresentstepshouldbeconsideredarightone。

TheLacedaemoniansdidnotbetrayanyopensignsofangeragainsttheAtheniansatwhattheyheard。Theembassy，itseems，waspromptednotbyadesiretoobstruct，buttoguidethecounselsoftheirgovernment:besides，SpartanfeelingwasatthattimeveryfriendlytowardsAthensonaccountofthepatriotismwhichshehaddisplayedinthestrugglewiththeMede。Stillthedefeatoftheirwishescouldnotbutcausethemsecretannoyance。Theenvoysofeachstatedepartedhomewithoutcomplaint。

InthiswaytheAthenianswalledtheircityinalittlewhile。Tothisdaythebuildingshowssignsofthehasteofitsexecution；thefoundationsarelaidofstonesofallkinds，andinsomeplacesnotwroughtorfitted，butplacedjustintheorderinwhichtheywerebroughtbythedifferenthands；andmanycolumns，too，fromtombs，andsculpturedstoneswereputinwiththerest。Fortheboundsofthecitywereextendedateverypointofthecircumference；andsotheylaidhandsoneverythingwithoutexceptionintheirhaste。

ThemistoclesalsopersuadedthemtofinishthewallsofPiraeus，whichhadbeenbegunbefore，inhisyearofofficeasarchon；beinginfluencedalikebythefinenessofalocalitythathasthreenaturalharbours，andbythegreatstartwhichtheAthenianswouldgainintheacquisitionofpowerbybecominganavalpeople。Forhefirstventuredtotellthemtosticktotheseaandforthwithbegantolaythefoundationsoftheempire。Itwasbyhisadvice，too，thattheybuiltthewallsofthatthicknesswhichcanstillbediscernedroundPiraeus，thestonesbeingbroughtupbytwowagonsmeetingeachother。Betweenthewallsthusformedtherewasneitherrubblenormortar，butgreatstoneshewnsquareandfittedtogether，crampedtoeachotherontheoutsidewithironandlead。Abouthalftheheightthatheintendedwasfinished。Hisideawasbytheirsizeandthicknesstokeepofftheattacksofanenemy；hethoughtthattheymightbeadequatelydefendedbyasmallgarrisonofinvalids，andtherestbefreedforserviceinthefleet。Forthefleetclaimedmostofhisattention。Hesaw，asIthink，thattheapproachbyseawaseasierfortheking'sarmythanthatbyland:healsothoughtPiraeusmorevaluablethantheuppercity；indeed，hewasalwaysadvisingtheAthenians，ifadayshouldcomewhentheywerehardpressedbyland，togodownintoPiraeus，anddefytheworldwiththeirfleet。Thus，therefore，theAthenianscompletedtheirwall，andcommencedtheirotherbuildingsimmediatelyaftertheretreatoftheMede。

MeanwhilePausanias，sonofCleombrotus，wassentoutfromLacedaemonascommander-in-chiefoftheHellenes，withtwentyshipsfromPeloponnese。WithhimsailedtheAthenianswiththirtyships，andanumberoftheotherallies。TheymadeanexpeditionagainstCyprusandsubduedmostoftheisland，andafterwardsagainstByzantium，whichwasinthehandsoftheMedes，andcompelledittosurrender。

ThiseventtookplacewhiletheSpartanswerestillsupreme。ButtheviolenceofPausaniashadalreadybeguntobedisagreeabletotheHellenes，particularlytotheIoniansandthenewlyliberatedpopulations。TheseresortedtotheAtheniansandrequestedthemastheirkinsmentobecometheirleaders，andtostopanyattemptatviolenceonthepartofPausanias。TheAtheniansacceptedtheirovertures，anddeterminedtoputdownanyattemptofthekindandtosettleeverythingelseastheirinterestsmightseemtodemand。InthemeantimetheLacedaemoniansrecalledPausaniasforaninvestigationofthereportswhichhadreachedthem。ManifoldandgraveaccusationshadbeenbroughtagainsthimbyHellenesarrivinginSparta；and，toallappearance，therehadbeeninhimmoreofthemimicryofadespotthanoftheattitudeofageneral。Asithappened，hisrecallcamejustatthetimewhenthehatredwhichhehadinspiredhadinducedthealliestodeserthim，thesoldiersfromPeloponneseexcepted，andtorangethemselvesbythesideoftheAthenians。OnhisarrivalatLacedaemon，hewascensuredforhisprivateactsofoppression，butwasacquittedontheheaviestcountsandpronouncednotguilty；itmustbeknownthatthechargeofMedismformedoneoftheprincipal，andtoallappearanceoneofthebestfounded，articlesagainsthim。

TheLacedaemoniansdidnot，however，restorehimtohiscommand，butsentoutDorkisandcertainotherswithasmallforce；whofoundthealliesnolongerinclinedtoconcedetothemthesupremacy。Perceivingthistheydeparted，andtheLacedaemoniansdidnotsendoutanytosucceedthem。TheyfearedforthosewhowentoutadeteriorationsimilartothatobservableinPausanias；besides，theydesiredtoberidoftheMedianWar，andweresatisfiedofthecompetencyoftheAtheniansfortheposition，andoftheirfriendshipatthetimetowardsthemselves。

TheAthenians，havingthussucceededtothesupremacybythevoluntaryactofthealliesthroughtheirhatredofPausanias，fixedwhichcitiesweretocontributemoneyagainstthebarbarian，whichships；theirprofessedobjectbeingtoretaliatefortheirsufferingsbyravagingtheKing'scountry。Nowwasthetimethattheofficeof"TreasurersforHellas"wasfirstinstitutedbytheAthenians。Theseofficersreceivedthetribute，asthemoneycontributedwascalled。Thetributewasfirstfixedatfourhundredandsixtytalents。ThecommontreasurywasatDelos，andthecongresseswereheldinthetemple。Theirsupremacycommencedwithindependentallieswhoactedontheresolutionsofacommoncongress。ItwasmarkedbythefollowingundertakingsinwarandinadministrationduringtheintervalbetweentheMedianandthepresentwar，againstthebarbarian，againsttheirownrebelallies，andagainstthePeloponnesianpowerswhichwouldcomeincontactwiththemonvariousoccasions。Myexcuseforrelatingtheseevents，andforventuringonthisdigression，isthatthispassageofhistoryhasbeenomittedbyallmypredecessors，whohaveconfinedthemselveseithertoHellenichistorybeforetheMedianWar，ortheMedianWaritself。Hellanicus，itistrue，didtouchontheseeventsinhisAthenianhistory；butheissomewhatconciseandnotaccurateinhisdates。Besides，thehistoryoftheseeventscontainsanexplanationofthegrowthoftheAthenianempire。

FirsttheAtheniansbesiegedandcapturedEionontheStrymonfromtheMedes，andmadeslavesoftheinhabitants，beingunderthecommandofCimon，sonofMiltiades。NexttheyenslavedScyros，theislandintheAegean，containingaDolopianpopulation，andcolonizeditthemselves。ThiswasfollowedbyawaragainstCarystus，inwhichtherestofEuboearemainedneutral，andwhichwasendedbysurrenderonconditions。AfterthisNaxoslefttheconfederacy，andawarensued，andshehadtoreturnafterasiege；thiswasthefirstinstanceoftheengagementbeingbrokenbythesubjugationofanalliedcity，aprecedentwhichwasfollowedbythatoftherestintheorderwhichcircumstancesprescribed。Ofallthecausesofdefection，thatconnectedwitharrearsoftributeandvessels，andwithfailureofservice，wasthechief；fortheAthenianswereverysevereandexacting，andmadethemselvesoffensivebyapplyingthescrewofnecessitytomenwhowerenotusedtoandinfactnotdisposedforanycontinuouslabour。InsomeotherrespectstheAthenianswerenottheoldpopularrulerstheyhadbeenatfirst；

andiftheyhadmorethantheirfairshareofservice，itwascorrespondinglyeasyforthemtoreduceanythattriedtoleavetheconfederacy。Forthistheallieshadthemselvestoblame；thewishtogetoffservicemakingmostofthemarrangetopaytheirshareoftheexpenseinmoneyinsteadofinships，andsotoavoidhavingtoleavetheirhomes。ThuswhileAthenswasincreasinghernavywiththefundswhichtheycontributed，arevoltalwaysfoundthemwithoutresourcesorexperienceforwar。

NextwecometotheactionsbylandandbyseaattheriverEurymedon，betweentheAthenianswiththeirallies，andtheMedes，whentheAthenianswonbothbattlesonthesamedayundertheconductofCimon，sonofMiltiades，andcapturedanddestroyedthewholePhoenicianfleet，consistingoftwohundredvessels。SometimeafterwardsoccurredthedefectionoftheThasians，causedbydisagreementsaboutthemartsontheoppositecoastofThrace，andaboutthemineintheirpossession。SailingwithafleettoThasos，theAtheniansdefeatedthematseaandeffectedalandingontheisland。AboutthesametimetheysenttenthousandsettlersoftheirowncitizensandthealliestosettletheplacethencalledEnneaHodoiorNineWays，nowAmphipolis。TheysucceededingainingpossessionofEnneaHodoifromtheEdonians，butonadvancingintotheinteriorofThracewerecutoffinDrabescus，atownoftheEdonians，bytheassembledThracians，whoregardedthesettlementoftheplaceEnneaHodoiasanactofhostility。MeanwhiletheThasiansbeingdefeatedinthefieldandsufferingsiege，appealedtoLacedaemon，anddesiredhertoassistthembyaninvasionofAttica。

WithoutinformingAthens，shepromisedandintendedtodoso，butwaspreventedbytheoccurrenceoftheearthquake，accompaniedbythesecessionoftheHelotsandtheThuriatsandAethaeansofthePerioecitoIthome。MostoftheHelotswerethedescendantsoftheoldMesseniansthatwereenslavedinthefamouswar；andsoallofthemcametobecalledMessenians。SotheLacedaemoniansbeingengagedinawarwiththerebelsinIthome，theThasiansinthethirdyearofthesiegeobtainedtermsfromtheAtheniansbyrazingtheirwalls，deliveringuptheirships，andarrangingtopaythemoneysdemandedatonce，andtributeinfuture；givinguptheirpossessionsonthecontinenttogetherwiththemine。

TheLacedaemonians，meanwhile，findingthewaragainsttherebelsinIthomelikelytolast，invokedtheaidoftheirallies，andespeciallyoftheAthenians，whocameinsomeforceunderthecommandofCimon。

Thereasonforthispressingsummonslayintheirreputedskillinsiegeoperations；alongsiegehadtaughttheLacedaemonianstheirowndeficiencyinthisart，elsetheywouldhavetakentheplacebyassault。ThefirstopenquarrelbetweentheLacedaemoniansandAtheniansaroseoutofthisexpedition。TheLacedaemonians，whenassaultfailedtotaketheplace，apprehensiveoftheenterprisingandrevolutionarycharacteroftheAthenians，andfurtherlookinguponthemasofalienextraction，begantofearthat，iftheyremained，theymightbetemptedbythebesiegedinIthometoattemptsomepoliticalchanges。Theyaccordinglydismissedthemaloneoftheallies，withoutdeclaringtheirsuspicions，butmerelysayingthattheyhadnownoneedofthem。ButtheAthenians，awarethattheirdismissaldidnotproceedfromthemorehonourablereasonofthetwo，butfromsuspicionswhichhadbeenconceived，wentawaydeeplyoffended，andconsciousofhavingdonenothingtomeritsuchtreatmentfromtheLacedaemonians；andtheinstantthattheyreturnedhometheybrokeoffthealliancewhichhadbeenmadeagainsttheMede，andalliedthemselveswithSparta'senemyArgos；eachofthecontractingpartiestakingthesameoathsandmakingthesamealliancewiththeThessalians。

MeanwhiletherebelsinIthome，unabletoprolongfurtheratenyears'resistance，surrenderedtoLacedaemon；theconditionsbeingthattheyshoulddepartfromPeloponneseundersafeconduct，andshouldneversetfootinitagain:anyonewhomighthereafterbefoundtherewastobetheslaveofhiscaptor。ItmustbeknownthattheLacedaemonianshadanoldoraclefromDelphi，totheeffectthattheyshouldletgothesuppliantofZeusatIthome。Sotheywentforthwiththeirchildrenandtheirwives，andbeingreceivedbyAthensfromthehatredthatshenowfeltfortheLacedaemonians，werelocatedatNaupactus，whichshehadlatelytakenfromtheOzolianLocrians。TheAtheniansreceivedanotheradditiontotheirconfederacyintheMegarians；wholefttheLacedaemonianalliance，annoyedbyawaraboutboundariesforcedonthembyCorinth。TheAtheniansoccupiedMegaraandPegae，andbuilttheMegarianstheirlongwallsfromthecitytoNisaea，inwhichtheyplacedanAtheniangarrison。ThiswastheprincipalcauseoftheCorinthiansconceivingsuchadeadlyhatredagainstAthens。

MeanwhileInaros，sonofPsammetichus，aLibyankingoftheLibyansontheEgyptianborder，havinghisheadquartersatMarea，thetownabovePharos，causedarevoltofalmostthewholeofEgyptfromKingArtaxerxesand，placinghimselfatitshead，invitedtheAthenianstohisassistance。AbandoningaCyprianexpeditionuponwhichtheyhappenedtobeengagedwithtwohundredshipsoftheirownandtheirallies，theyarrivedinEgyptandsailedfromtheseaintotheNile，andmakingthemselvesmastersoftheriverandtwo-thirdsofMemphis，addressedthemselvestotheattackoftheremainingthird，whichiscalledWhiteCastle。WithinitwerePersiansandMedeswhohadtakenrefugethere，andEgyptianswhohadnotjoinedtherebellion。

MeanwhiletheAthenians，makingadescentfromtheirfleetuponHaliae，wereengagedbyaforceofCorinthiansandEpidaurians；andtheCorinthianswerevictorious。AfterwardstheAtheniansengagedthePeloponnesianfleetoffCecruphalia；andtheAthenianswerevictorious。SubsequentlywarbrokeoutbetweenAeginaandAthens，andtherewasagreatbattleatseaoffAeginabetweentheAtheniansandAeginetans，eachbeingaidedbytheirallies；inwhichvictoryremainedwiththeAthenians，whotookseventyoftheenemy'sships，andlandedinthecountryandcommencedasiegeunderthecommandofLeocrates，sonofStroebus。UponthisthePeloponnesians，desirousofaidingtheAeginetans，threwintoAeginaaforceofthreehundredheavyinfantry，whohadbeforebeenservingwiththeCorinthiansandEpidaurians。MeanwhiletheCorinthiansandtheiralliesoccupiedtheheightsofGeraneia，andmarcheddownintotheMegarid，inthebeliefthat，withalargeforceabsentinAeginaandEgypt，AthenswouldbeunabletohelptheMegarianswithoutraisingthesiegeofAegina。ButtheAthenians，insteadofmovingthearmyofAegina，raisedaforceoftheoldandyoungmenthathadbeenleftinthecity，andmarchedintotheMegaridunderthecommandofMyronides。

AfteradrawnbattlewiththeCorinthians，therivalhostsparted，eachwiththeimpressionthattheyhadgainedthevictory。TheAthenians，however，ifanything，hadrathertheadvantage，andonthedepartureoftheCorinthianssetupatrophy。Urgedbythetauntsoftheeldersintheircity，theCorinthiansmadetheirpreparations，andabouttwelvedaysafterwardscameandsetuptheirtrophyasvictors。SallyingoutfromMegara，theAthenianscutoffthepartythatwasemployedinerectingthetrophy，andengagedanddefeatedtherest。Intheretreatofthevanquishedarmy，aconsiderabledivision，pressedbythepursuersandmistakingtheroad，dashedintoafieldonsomeprivateproperty，withadeeptrenchallroundit，andnowayout。Beingacquaintedwiththeplace，theAthenianshemmedtheirfrontwithheavyinfantryand，placingthelighttroopsroundinacircle，stonedallwhohadgonein。Corinthheresufferedasevereblow。Thebulkofherarmycontinueditsretreathome。

AboutthistimetheAtheniansbegantobuildthelongwallstothesea，thattowardsPhalerumandthattowardsPiraeus。MeanwhilethePhociansmadeanexpeditionagainstDoris，theoldhomeoftheLacedaemonians，containingthetownsofBoeum，Kitinium，andErineum。Theyhadtakenoneofthesetowns，whentheLacedaemoniansunderNicomedes，sonofCleombrotus，commandingforKingPleistoanax，sonofPausanias，whowasstillaminor，cametotheaidoftheDorianswithfifteenhundredheavyinfantryoftheirown，andtenthousandoftheirallies。AftercompellingthePhocianstorestorethetownonconditions，theybegantheirretreat。Theroutebysea，acrosstheCrissaeanGulf，exposedthemtotheriskofbeingstoppedbytheAthenianfleet；thatacrossGeraneiaseemedscarcelysafe，theAtheniansholdingMegaraandPegae。Forthepasswasadifficultone，andwasalwaysguardedbytheAthenians；and，inthepresentinstance，theLacedaemonianshadinformationthattheymeanttodisputetheirpassage。SotheyresolvedtoremaininBoeotia，andtoconsiderwhichwouldbethesafestlineofmarch。Theyhadalsoanotherreasonforthisresolve。SecretencouragementhadbeengiventhembyapartyinAthens，whohopedtoputanendtothereignofdemocracyandthebuildingoftheLongWalls。MeanwhiletheAtheniansmarchedagainstthemwiththeirwholelevyandathousandArgivesandtherespectivecontingentsoftherestoftheirallies。

Altogethertheywerefourteenthousandstrong。ThemarchwaspromptedbythenotionthattheLacedaemonianswereatalosshowtoeffecttheirpassage，andalsobysuspicionsofanattempttooverthrowthedemocracy。SomecavalryalsojoinedtheAtheniansfromtheirThessalianallies；butthesewentovertotheLacedaemoniansduringthebattle。

ThebattlewasfoughtatTanagrainBoeotia。Afterheavylossonbothsides，victorydeclaredfortheLacedaemoniansandtheirallies。AfterenteringtheMegaridandcuttingdownthefruittrees，theLacedaemoniansreturnedhomeacrossGeraneiaandtheisthmus。

Sixty-twodaysafterthebattletheAtheniansmarchedintoBoeotiaunderthecommandofMyronides，defeatedtheBoeotiansinbattleatOenophyta，andbecamemastersofBoeotiaandPhocis。TheydismantledthewallsoftheTanagraeans，tookahundredoftherichestmenoftheOpuntianLocriansashostages，andfinishedtheirownlongwalls。ThiswasfollowedbythesurrenderoftheAeginetanstoAthensonconditions；theypulleddowntheirwalls，gaveuptheirships，andagreedtopaytributeinfuture。TheAthenianssailedroundPeloponneseunderTolmides，sonofTolmaeus，burntthearsenalofLacedaemon，tookChalcis，atownoftheCorinthians，andinadescentuponSicyondefeatedtheSicyoniansinbattle。

MeanwhiletheAtheniansinEgyptandtheirallieswerestillthere，andencounteredallthevicissitudesofwar。FirsttheAtheniansweremastersofEgypt，andtheKingsentMegabazusaPersiantoLacedaemonwithmoneytobribethePeloponnesianstoinvadeAtticaandsodrawofftheAtheniansfromEgypt。Findingthatthemattermadenoprogress，andthatthemoneywasonlybeingwasted，herecalledMegabazuswiththeremainderofthemoney，andsentMegabuzus，sonofZopyrus，aPersian，withalargearmytoEgypt。

ArrivingbylandhedefeatedtheEgyptiansandtheiralliesinabattle，anddrovetheHellenesoutofMemphis，andatlengthshutthemupintheislandofProsopitis，wherehebesiegedthemforayearandsixmonths。Atlast，drainingthecanalofitswaters，whichhedivertedintoanotherchannel，helefttheirshipshighanddryandjoinedmostoftheislandtothemainland，andthenmarchedoveronfootandcapturedit。ThustheenterpriseoftheHellenescametoruinaftersixyearsofwar。OfallthatlargehostafewtravellingthroughLibyareachedCyreneinsafety，butmostofthemperished。AndthusEgyptreturnedtoitssubjectiontotheKing，exceptAmyrtaeus，thekinginthemarshes，whomtheywereunabletocapturefromtheextentofthemarsh；themarshmenbeingalsothemostwarlikeoftheEgyptians。Inaros，theLibyanking，thesoleauthoroftheEgyptianrevolt，wasbetrayed，taken，andcrucified。MeanwhilearelievingsquadronoffiftyvesselshadsailedfromAthensandtherestoftheconfederacyforEgypt。TheyputintoshoreattheMendesianmouthoftheNile，intotalignoranceofwhathadoccurred。Attackedonthelandsidebythetroops，andfromtheseabythePhoeniciannavy，mostoftheshipsweredestroyed；thefewremainingbeingsavedbyretreat。SuchwastheendofthegreatexpeditionoftheAtheniansandtheiralliestoEgypt。

MeanwhileOrestes，sonofEchecratidas，theThessalianking，beinganexilefromThessaly，persuadedtheAthenianstorestorehim。TakingwiththemtheBoeotiansandPhocianstheirallies，theAtheniansmarchedtoPharsalusinThessaly。Theybecamemastersofthecountry，thoughonlyintheimmediatevicinityofthecamp；beyondwhichtheycouldnotgoforfearoftheThessaliancavalry。Buttheyfailedtotakethecityortoattainanyoftheotherobjectsoftheirexpedition，andreturnedhomewithOresteswithouthavingeffectedanything。NotlongafterthisathousandoftheAtheniansembarkedinthevesselsthatwereatPegae(Pegae，itmustberemembered，wasnowtheirs)，andsailedalongthecoasttoSicyonunderthecommandofPericles，sonofXanthippus。LandinginSicyonanddefeatingtheSicyonianswhoengagedthem，theyimmediatelytookwiththemtheAchaeansand，sailingacross，marchedagainstandlaidsiegetoOeniadaeinAcarnania。Failinghowevertotakeit，theyreturnedhome。

ThreeyearsafterwardsatrucewasmadebetweenthePeloponnesiansandAtheniansforfiveyears。ReleasedfromHellenicwar，theAtheniansmadeanexpeditiontoCypruswithtwohundredvesselsoftheirownandtheirallies，underthecommandofCimon。SixtyoftheseweredetachedtoEgyptattheinstanceofAmyrtaeus，thekinginthemarshes；therestlaidsiegetoKitium，fromwhich，however，theywerecompelledtoretirebythedeathofCimonandbyscarcityofprovisions。SailingoffSalamisinCyprus，theyfoughtwiththePhoenicians，Cyprians，andCiliciansbylandandsea，and，beingvictoriousonbothelementsdepartedhome，andwiththemthereturnedsquadronfromEgypt。AfterthistheLacedaemoniansmarchedoutonasacredwar，and，becomingmastersofthetempleatDelphi，itinthehandsoftheDelphians。Immediatelyaftertheirretreat，theAtheniansmarchedout，becamemastersofthetemple，andplaceditinthehandsofthePhocians。

Sometimeafterthis，Orchomenus，Chaeronea，andsomeotherplacesinBoeotiabeinginthehandsoftheBoeotianexiles，theAtheniansmarchedagainsttheabove-mentionedhostileplaceswithathousandAthenianheavyinfantryandthealliedcontingents，underthecommandofTolmides，sonofTolmaeus。TheytookChaeronea，andmadeslavesoftheinhabitants，and，leavingagarrison，commencedtheirreturn。OntheirroadtheywereattackedatCoroneabytheBoeotianexilesfromOrchomenus，withsomeLocriansandEuboeanexiles，andotherswhowereofthesamewayofthinking，weredefeatedinbattle，andsomekilled，otherstakencaptive。TheAtheniansevacuatedallBoeotiabyatreatyprovidingfortherecoveryofthemen；andtheexiledBoeotiansreturned，andwithalltherestregainedtheirindependence。

ThiswassoonafterwardsfollowedbytherevoltofEuboeafromAthens。PericleshadalreadycrossedoverwithanarmyofAthenianstotheisland，whennewswasbroughttohimthatMegarahadrevolted，thatthePeloponnesianswereonthepointofinvadingAttica，andthattheAtheniangarrisonhadbeencutoffbytheMegarians，withtheexceptionofafewwhohadtakenrefugeinNisaea。TheMegarianshadintroducedtheCorinthians，Sicyonians，andEpidauriansintothetownbeforetheyrevolted。MeanwhilePericlesbroughthisarmybackinallhastefromEuboea。AfterthisthePeloponnesiansmarchedintoAtticaasfarasEleusisandThrius，ravagingthecountryundertheconductofKingPleistoanax，thesonofPausanias，andwithoutadvancingfurtherreturnedhome。TheAtheniansthencrossedoveragaintoEuboeaunderthecommandofPericles，andsubduedthewholeoftheisland:allbutHistiaeawassettledbyconvention；theHistiaeanstheyexpelledfromtheirhomes，andoccupiedtheirterritorythemselves。

NotlongaftertheirreturnfromEuboea，theymadeatrucewiththeLacedaemoniansandtheiralliesforthirtyyears，givingupthepostswhichtheyoccupiedinPeloponnese-Nisaea，Pegae，Troezen，andAchaia。Inthesixthyearofthetruce，warbrokeoutbetweentheSamiansandMilesiansaboutPriene。Worstedinthewar，theMilesianscametoAthenswithloudcomplaintsagainsttheSamians。

InthistheywerejoinedbycertainprivatepersonsfromSamositself，whowishedtorevolutionizethegovernment。AccordinglytheAthenianssailedtoSamoswithfortyshipsandsetupademocracy；

tookhostagesfromtheSamians，fiftyboysandasmanymen，lodgedtheminLemnos，andafterleavingagarrisonintheislandreturnedhome。ButsomeoftheSamianshadnotremainedintheisland，buthadfledtothecontinent。Makinganagreementwiththemostpowerfulofthoseinthecity，andanalliancewithPissuthnes，sonofHystaspes，thethensatrapofSardis，theygottogetheraforceofsevenhundredmercenaries，andundercoverofnightcrossedovertoSamos。Theirfirststepwastoriseonthecommons，mostofwhomtheysecured；theirnexttostealtheirhostagesfromLemnos；afterwhichtheyrevolted，gaveuptheAtheniangarrisonleftwiththemanditscommanderstoPissuthnes，andinstantlypreparedforanexpeditionagainstMiletus。TheByzantinesalsorevoltedwiththem。

AssoonastheAtheniansheardthenews，theysailedwithsixtyshipsagainstSamos。SixteenofthesewenttoCariatolookoutforthePhoenicianfleet，andtoChiosandLesboscarryingroundordersforreinforcements，andsoneverengaged；butforty-fourshipsunderthecommandofPericleswithninecolleaguesgavebattle，offtheislandofTragia，toseventySamianvessels，ofwhichtwentyweretransports，astheyweresailingfromMiletus。VictoryremainedwiththeAthenians。ReinforcedafterwardsbyfortyshipsfromAthens，andtwenty-fiveChianandLesbianvessels，theAthenianslanded，andhavingthesuperioritybylandinvestedthecitywiththreewalls；

itwasalsoinvestedfromthesea。MeanwhilePericlestooksixtyshipsfromtheblockadingsquadron，anddepartedinhasteforCaunusandCaria，intelligencehavingbeenbroughtinoftheapproachofthePhoenicianfleettotheaidoftheSamians；indeedStesagorasandothershadlefttheislandwithfiveshipstobringthem。ButinthemeantimetheSamiansmadeasuddensally，andfellonthecamp，whichtheyfoundunfortified。Destroyingthelook-outvessels，andengaginganddefeatingsuchaswerebeinglaunchedtomeetthem，theyremainedmastersoftheirownseasforfourteendays，andcarriedinandcarriedoutwhattheypleased。ButonthearrivalofPericles，theywereoncemoreshutup。Freshreinforcementsafterwardsarrived-fortyshipsfromAthenswithThucydides，Hagnon，andPhormio；twentywithTlepolemusandAnticles，andthirtyvesselsfromChiosandLesbos。Afterabriefattemptatfighting，theSamians，unabletoholdout，werereducedafteraninemonths'siegeandsurrenderedonconditions；theyrazedtheirwalls，gavehostages，delivereduptheirships，andarrangedtopaytheexpensesofthewarbyinstalments。TheByzantinesalsoagreedtobesubjectasbefore。

CHAPTERV。

SecondCongressatLacedaemon-PreparationsforWarandDiplomaticSkirmishes-Cylon-

Pausanias-ThemistoclesAFTERthis，thoughnotmanyyearslater，weatlengthcometowhathasbeenalreadyrelated，theaffairsofCorcyraandPotidaea，andtheeventsthatservedasapretextforthepresentwar。AlltheseactionsoftheHellenesagainsteachotherandthebarbarianoccurredinthefiftyyears'intervalbetweentheretreatofXerxesandthebeginningofthepresentwar。DuringthisintervaltheAthenianssucceededinplacingtheirempireonafirmerbasis，andadvancedtheirownhomepowertoaverygreatheight。TheLacedaemonians，thoughfullyawareofit，opposeditonlyforalittlewhile，butremainedinactiveduringmostoftheperiod，beingofoldslowtogotowarexceptunderthepressureofnecessity，andinthepresentinstancebeinghamperedbywarsathome；untilthegrowthoftheAthenianpowercouldbenolongerignored，andtheirownconfederacybecametheobjectofitsencroachments。Theythenfeltthattheycouldendureitnolonger，butthatthetimehadcomeforthemtothrowthemselvesheartandsouluponthehostilepower，andbreakit，iftheycould，bycommencingthepresentwar。AndthoughtheLacedaemonianshadmadeuptheirownmindsonthefactofthebreachofthetreatyandtheguiltoftheAthenians，yettheysenttoDelphiandinquiredoftheGodwhetheritwouldbewellwiththemiftheywenttowar；and，asitisreported，receivedfromhimtheanswerthatiftheyputtheirwholestrengthintothewar，victorywouldbetheirs，andthepromisethathehimselfwouldbewiththem，whetherinvokedoruninvoked。Stilltheywishedtosummontheiralliesagain，andtotaketheirvoteontheproprietyofmakingwar。Aftertheambassadorsfromtheconfederateshadarrivedandacongresshadbeenconvened，theyallspoketheirminds，mostofthemdenouncingtheAtheniansanddemandingthatthewarshouldbegin。InparticulartheCorinthians。Theyhadbeforeontheirownaccountcanvassedthecitiesindetailtoinducethemtovoteforthewar，inthefearthatitmightcometoolatetosavePotidaea；theywerepresentalsoonthisoccasion，andcameforwardthelast，andmadethefollowingspeech:

"Fellowallies，wecannolongeraccusetheLacedaemoniansofhavingfailedintheirduty:theyhavenotonlyvotedforwarthemselves，buthaveassembledushereforthatpurpose。Wesaytheirduty，forsupremacyhasitsduties。Besidesequitablyadministeringprivateinterests，leadersarerequiredtoshowaspecialcareforthecommonwelfareinreturnforthespecialhonoursaccordedtothembyallinotherways。Forourselves，allwhohavealreadyhaddealingswiththeAtheniansrequirenowarningtobeontheirguardagainstthem。Thestatesmoreinlandandoutofthehighwayofcommunicationshouldunderstandthat，iftheyomittosupportthecoastpowers，theresultwillbetoinjurethetransitoftheirproduceforexportationandthereceptioninexchangeoftheirimportsfromthesea；andtheymustnotbecarelessjudgesofwhatisnowsaid，asifithadnothingtodowiththem，butmustexpectthatthesacrificeofthepowersonthecoastwillonedaybefollowedbytheextensionofthedangertotheinterior，andmustrecognizethattheirowninterestsaredeeplyinvolvedinthisdiscussion。Forthesereasonstheyshouldnothesitatetoexchangepeaceforwar。Ifwisemenremainquiet，whiletheyarenotinjured，bravemenabandonpeaceforwarwhentheyareinjured，returningtoanunderstandingonafavourableopportunity:infact，theyareneitherintoxicatedbytheirsuccessinwar，nordisposedtotakeaninjuryforthesakeofthedelightfultranquillityofpeace。Indeed，tofalterforthesakeofsuchdelightsis，ifyouremaininactive，thequickestwayoflosingthesweetsofreposetowhichyoucling；whiletoconceiveextravagantpretensionsfromsuccessinwaristoforgethowhollowistheconfidencebywhichyouareelated。Forifmanyill-conceivedplanshavesucceededthroughthestillgreaterfatuityofanopponent，manymore，apparentlywelllaid，haveonthecontraryendedindisgrace。Theconfidencewithwhichweformourschemesisnevercompletelyjustifiedintheirexecution；speculationiscarriedoninsafety，but，whenitcomestoaction，fearcausesfailure。

"Toapplytheserulestoourselves，ifwearenowkindlingwaritisunderthepressureofinjury，withadequategroundsofcomplaint；

andafterwehavechastisedtheAthenianswewillinseasondesist。Wehavemanyreasonstoexpectsuccess-first，superiorityinnumbersandinmilitaryexperience，andsecondlyourgeneralandunvaryingobedienceintheexecutionoforders。Thenavalstrengthwhichtheypossessshallberaisedbyusfromourrespectiveantecedentresources，andfromthemoneysatOlympiaandDelphi。Aloanfromtheseenablesustoseducetheirforeignsailorsbytheofferofhigherpay。ForthepowerofAthensismoremercenarythannational；

whileourswillnotbeexposedtothesamerisk，asitsstrengthliesmoreinmenthaninmoney。Asingledefeatatseaisinalllikelihoodtheirruin:shouldtheyholdout，inthatcasetherewillbethemoretimeforustoexerciseourselvesinnavalmatters；andassoonaswehavearrivedatanequalityinscience，weneedscarcelyaskwhetherweshallbetheirsuperiorsincourage。Fortheadvantagesthatwehavebynaturetheycannotacquirebyeducation；whiletheirsuperiorityinsciencemustberemovedbyourpractice。Themoneyrequiredfortheseobjectsshallbeprovidedbyourcontributions:

nothingindeedcouldbemoremonstrousthanthesuggestionthat，whiletheiralliesnevertireofcontributingfortheirownservitude，weshouldrefusetospendforvengeanceandself-preservationthetreasurewhichbysuchrefusalweshallforfeittoAthenianrapacityandseeemployedforourownruin。

"Wehavealsootherwaysofcarryingonthewar，suchasrevoltoftheirallies，thesurestmethodofdeprivingthemoftheirrevenues，whicharethesourceoftheirstrength，andestablishmentoffortifiedpositionsintheircountry，andvariousoperationswhichcannotbeforeseenatpresent。Forwarofallthingsproceedsleastupondefiniterules，butdrawsprincipallyuponitselfforcontrivancestomeetanemergency；andinsuchcasesthepartywhofacesthestruggleandkeepshistemperbestmeetswithmostsecurity，andhewholoseshistemperaboutitwithcorrespondentdisaster。Letusalsoreflectthatifitwasmerelyanumberofdisputesofterritorybetweenrivalneighbours，itmightbeborne；butherewehaveanenemyinAthensthatisamatchforourwholecoalition，andmorethanamatchforanyofitsmembers；sothatunlessasabodyandasindividualnationalitiesandindividualcitieswemakeanunanimousstandagainsther，shewilleasilyconquerusdividedandindetail。

Thatconquest，terribleasitmaysound，would，itmustbeknown，havenootherendthanslaverypureandsimple；awordwhichPeloponnesecannotevenhearwhisperedwithoutdisgrace，orwithoutdisgraceseesomanystatesabusedbyone。Meanwhiletheopinionwouldbeeitherthatwewerejustlysoused，orthatweputupwithitfromcowardice，andwereprovingdegeneratesonsinnotevensecuringforourselvesthefreedomwhichourfathersgavetoHellas；andinallowingtheestablishmentinHellasofatyrantstate，thoughinindividualstateswethinkitourdutytoputdownsolerulers。Andwedonotknowhowthisconductcanbeheldfreefromthreeofthegravestfailings，wantofsense，ofcourage，orofvigilance。Forwedonotsupposethatyouhavetakenrefugeinthatcontemptofanenemywhichhasprovedsofatalinsomanyinstances-afeelingwhichfromthenumbersthatithasruinedhascometobecallednotcontemptuousbutcontemptible。

"Thereis，however，noadvantageinreflectionsonthepastfurtherthanmaybeofservicetothepresent。Forthefuturewemustprovidebymaintainingwhatthepresentgivesusandredoublingourefforts；itishereditarytoustowinvirtueasthefruitoflabour，andyoumustnotchangethehabit，eventhoughyoushouldhaveaslightadvantageinwealthandresources；foritisnotrightthatwhatwaswoninwantshouldbelostinplenty；no，wemustboldlyadvancetothewarformanyreasons；thegodhascommandeditandpromisedtobewithus，andtherestofHellaswillalljoininthestruggle，partfromfear，partfrominterest。Youwillbethefirsttobreakatreatywhichthegod，inadvisingustogotowar，judgestobeviolatedalready，butrathertosupportatreatythathasbeenoutraged:indeed，treatiesarebrokennotbyresistancebutbyaggression。

"Yourposition，therefore，fromwhateverquarteryoumayviewit，willamplyjustifyyouingoingtowar；andthisstepwerecommendintheinterestsofall，bearinginmindthatidentityofinterestyouhavetakenrefugeinthatcontemptofanenemywhichhasprovedsofatalinsomanyinstances-afeelingwhichfromthenumbersthatithasruinedhascometobecallednotcontemptuousbutcontemptible。

"Thereis，however，noadvantageinreflectionsonthepastfurtherthanmaybeofservicetothepresent。Forthefuturewemustprovidebymaintainingwhatthepresentgivesusandredoublingourefforts；itishereditarytoustowinvirtueasthefruitoflabour，andyoumustnotchangethehabit，eventhoughyoushouldhaveaslightadvantageinwealthandresources；foritisnotrightthatwhatwaswoninwantshouldbelostinplenty；no，wemustboldlyadvancetothewarformanyreasons；thegodhascommandeditandpromisedtobewithus，andtherestofHellaswillalljoininthestruggle，partfromfear，partfrominterest。Youwillbethefirsttobreakatreatywhichthegod，inadvisingustogotowar，judgestobeviolatedalready，butrathertosupportatreatythathasbeenoutraged:indeed，treatiesarebrokennotbyresistancebutbyaggression。

"Yourposition，therefore，fromwhateverquarteryoumayviewit，willamplyjustifyyouingoingtowar；andthisstepwerecommendintheinterestsofall，bearinginmindthatidentityofinterestyouhavetakenrefugeinthatcontemptofanenemywhichhasprovedsofatalinsomanyinstances-afeelingwhichfromthenumbersthatithasruinedhascometobecallednotcontemptuousbutcontemptible。

"Thereis，however，noadvantageinreflectionsonthepastfurtherthanmaybeofservicetothepresent。Forthefuturewemustprovidebymaintainingwhatthepresentgivesusandredoublingourefforts；itishereditarytoustowinvirtueasthefruitoflabour，andyoumustnotchangethehabit，eventhoughyoushouldhaveaslightadvantageinwealthandresources；foritisnotrightthatwhatwaswoninwantshouldbelostinplenty；no，wemustboldlyadvancetothewarformanyreasons；thegodhascommandeditandpromisedtobewithus，andtherestofHellaswillalljoininthestruggle，partfromfear，partfrominterest。Youwillbethefirsttobreakatreatywhichthegod，inadvisingustogotowar，judgestobeviolatedalready，butrathertosupportatreatythathasbeenoutraged:indeed，treatiesarebrokennotbyresistancebutbyaggression。

"Yourposition，therefore，fromwhateverquarteryoumayviewit，willamplyjustifyyouingoingtowar；andthisstepwerecommendintheinterestsofall，bearinginmindthatidentityofinterestisthesurestofbonds，whetherbetweenstatesorindividuals。Delaynot，therefore，toassistPotidaea，aDoriancitybesiegedbyIonians，whichisquiteareversaloftheorderofthings；nortoassertthefreedomoftherest。Itisimpossibleforustowaitanylongerwhenwaitingcanonlymeanimmediatedisasterforsomeofus，and，ifitcomestobeknownthatwehaveconferredbutdonotventuretoprotectourselves，likedisasterinthenearfuturefortherest。Delaynot，fellowallies，but，convincedofthenecessityofthecrisisandthewisdomofthiscounsel，voteforthewar，undeterredbyitsimmediateterrors，butlookingbeyondtothelastingpeacebywhichitwillbesucceeded。Outofwarpeacegainsfreshstability，buttorefusetoabandonreposeforwarisnotsosureamethodofavoidingdanger。WemustbelievethatthetyrantcitythathasbeenestablishedinHellashasbeenestablishedagainstallalike，withaprogrammeofuniversalempire，partfulfilled，partincontemplation；letusthenattackandreduceit，andwinfuturesecurityforourselvesandfreedomfortheHelleneswhoarenowenslaved。"

SuchwerethewordsoftheCorinthians。TheLacedaemonians，havingnowheardall，givetheiropinion，tookthevoteofallthealliedstatespresentinorder，greatandsmallalike；andthemajorityvotedforwar。Thisdecided，itwasstillimpossibleforthemtocommenceatonce，fromtheirwantofpreparation；butitwasresolvedthatthemeansrequisiteweretobeprocuredbythedifferentstates，andthattherewastobenodelay。Andindeed，inspiteofthetimeoccupiedwiththenecessaryarrangements，lessthanayearelapsedbeforeAtticawasinvaded，andthewaropenlybegun。

ThisintervalwasspentinsendingembassiestoAthenschargedwithcomplaints，inordertoobtainasgoodapretextforwaraspossible，intheeventofherpayingnoattentiontothem。ThefirstLacedaemonianembassywastoordertheAthenianstodriveoutthecurseofthegoddess；thehistoryofwhichisasfollows。InformergenerationstherewasanAthenianofthenameofCylon，avictorattheOlympicgames，ofgoodbirthandpowerfulposition，whohadmarriedadaughterofTheagenes，aMegarian，atthattimetyrantofMegara。NowthisCylonwasinquiringatDelphi；whenhewastoldbythegodtoseizetheAcropolisofAthensonthegrandfestivalofZeus。Accordingly，procuringaforcefromTheagenesandpersuadinghisfriendstojoinhim，whentheOlympicfestivalinPeloponnesecame，heseizedtheAcropolis，withtheintentionofmakinghimselftyrant，thinkingthatthiswasthegrandfestivalofZeus，andalsoanoccasionappropriateforavictorattheOlympicgames。WhetherthegrandfestivalthatwasmeantwasinAtticaorelsewherewasaquestionwhichheneverthoughtof，andwhichtheoracledidnotoffertosolve。FortheAtheniansalsohaveafestivalwhichiscalledthegrandfestivalofZeusMeilichiosorGracious，viz。，theDiasia。Itiscelebratedoutsidethecity，andthewholepeoplesacrificenotrealvictimsbutanumberofbloodlessofferingspeculiartothecountry。

However，fancyinghehadchosentherighttime，hemadetheattempt。

AssoonastheAtheniansperceivedit，theyflockedin，oneandall，fromthecountry，andsatdown，andlaidsiegetothecitadel。Butastimewenton，wearyofthelabourofblockade，mostofthemdeparted；theresponsibilityofkeepingguardbeinglefttotheninearchons，withplenarypowerstoarrangeeverythingaccordingtotheirgoodjudgment。Itmustbeknownthatatthattimemostpoliticalfunctionsweredischargedbytheninearchons。MeanwhileCylonandhisbesiegedcompanionsweredistressedforwantoffoodandwater。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读