AccordinglyCylonandhisbrothermadetheirescape；buttherestbeinghardpressed，andsomeevendyingoffamine，seatedthemselvesassuppliantsatthealtarintheAcropolis。TheAthenianswhowerechargedwiththedutyofkeepingguard，whentheysawthematthepointofdeathinthetemple，raisedthemupontheunderstandingthatnoharmshouldbedonetothem，ledthemout，andslewthem。Somewhoastheypassedbytookrefugeatthealtarsoftheawfulgoddessesweredispatchedonthespot。Fromthisdeedthemenwhokilledthemwerecalledaccursedandguiltyagainstthegoddess，theyandtheirdescendants。AccordinglythesecursedonesweredrivenoutbytheAthenians，drivenoutagainbyCleomenesofLacedaemonandanAthenianfaction；thelivingweredrivenout，andthebonesofthedeadweretakenup；thustheywerecastout。Forallthat，theycamebackafterwards，andtheirdescendantsarestillinthecity。
This，thenwasthecursethattheLacedaemoniansorderedthemtodriveout。Theywereactuatedprimarily，astheypretended，byacareforthehonourofthegods；buttheyalsoknowthatPericles，sonofXanthippus，wasconnectedwiththecurseonhismother'sside，andtheythoughtthathisbanishmentwouldmateriallyadvancetheirdesignsonAthens。Notthattheyreallyhopedtosucceedinprocuringthis；theyratherthoughttocreateaprejudiceagainsthimintheeyesofhiscountrymenfromthefeelingthatthewarwouldbepartlycausedbyhismisfortune。Forbeingthemostpowerfulmanofhistime，andtheleadingAthenianstatesman，heopposedtheLacedaemoniansineverything，andwouldhavenoconcessions，buteverurgedtheAtheniansontowar。
TheAtheniansretortedbyorderingtheLacedaemonianstodriveoutthecurseofTaenarus。TheLacedaemonianshadonceraisedupsomeHelotsuppliantsfromthetempleofPoseidonatTaenarus，ledthemawayandslainthem；forwhichtheybelievethegreatearthquakeatSpartatohavebeenaretribution。TheAtheniansalsoorderedthemtodriveoutthecurseofthegoddessoftheBrazenHouse；thehistoryofwhichisasfollows。AfterPausaniastheLacedaemonianhadbeenrecalledbytheSpartansfromhiscommandintheHellespont(thisishisfirstrecall)，andhadbeentriedbythemandacquitted，notbeingagainsentoutinapubliccapacity，hetookagalleyofHermioneonhisownresponsibility，withouttheauthorityoftheLacedaemonians，andarrivedasaprivatepersonintheHellespont。HecameostensiblyfortheHellenicwar，reallytocarryonhisintrigueswiththeKing，whichhehadbegunbeforehisrecall，beingambitiousofreigningoverHellas。ThecircumstancewhichfirstenabledhimtolaytheKingunderanobligation，andtomakeabeginningofthewholedesign，wasthis。SomeconnectionsandkinsmenoftheKinghadbeentakeninByzantium，onitscapturefromtheMedes，whenhewasfirstthere，afterthereturnfromCyprus。ThesecaptiveshesentofftotheKingwithouttheknowledgeoftherestoftheallies，theaccountbeingthattheyhadescapedfromhim。HemanagedthiswiththehelpofGongylus，anEretrian，whomhehadplacedinchargeofByzantiumandtheprisoners。HealsogaveGongylusaletterfortheKing，thecontentsofwhichwereasfollows，aswasafterwardsdiscovered:
"Pausanias，thegeneralofSparta，anxioustodoyouafavour，sendsyouthesehisprisonersofwar。Iproposealso，withyourapproval，tomarryyourdaughter，andtomakeSpartaandtherestofHellassubjecttoyou。ImaysaythatIthinkIamabletodothis，withyourco-operation。Accordinglyifanyofthispleaseyou，sendasafemantotheseathroughwhomwemayinfutureconductourcorrespondence。"
Thiswasallthatwasrevealedinthewriting，andXerxeswaspleasedwiththeletter。HesentoffArtabazus，sonofPharnaces，totheseawithorderstosupersedeMegabates，thepreviousgovernorinthesatrapyofDaskylion，andtosendoverasquicklyaspossibletoPausaniasatByzantiumaletterwhichheentrustedtohim；toshowhimtheroyalsignet，andtoexecuteanycommissionwhichhemightreceivefromPausaniasontheKing'smatterswithallcareandfidelity。
ArtabazusonhisarrivalcarriedtheKing'sordersintoeffect，andsentovertheletter，whichcontainedthefollowinganswer:"ThussaithKingXerxestoPausanias。ForthemenwhomyouhavesavedformeacrossseafromByzantium，anobligationislaidupforyouinourhouse，recordedforever；andwithyourproposalsIamwellpleased。
Letneithernightnordaystopyoufromdiligentlyperforminganyofyourpromisestome；neitherforcostofgoldnorofsilverletthembehindered，noryetfornumberoftroops，whereveritmaybethattheirpresenceisneeded；butwithArtabazus，anhonourablemanwhomI
sendyou，boldlyadvancemyobjectsandyours，asmaybemostforthehonourandinterestofusboth。"
BeforeheldinhighhonourbytheHellenesastheheroofPlataea，Pausanias，afterthereceiptofthisletter，becameprouderthanever，andcouldnolongerliveintheusualstyle，butwentoutofByzantiuminaMediandress，wasattendedonhismarchthroughThracebyabodyguardofMedesandEgyptians，keptaPersiantable，andwasquiteunabletocontainhisintentions，butbetrayedbyhisconductintrifleswhathisambitionlookedonedaytoenactonagranderscale。Healsomadehimselfdifficultofaccess，anddisplayedsoviolentatempertoeveryonewithoutexceptionthatnoonecouldcomenearhim。Indeed，thiswastheprincipalreasonwhytheconfederacywentovertotheAthenians。
Theabove-mentionedconduct，comingtotheearsoftheLacedaemonians，occasionedhisfirstrecall。AndafterhissecondvoyageoutintheshipofHermione，withouttheirorders，hegaveproofsofsimilarbehaviour。BesiegedandexpelledfromByzantiumbytheAthenians，hedidnotreturntoSparta；butnewscamethathehadsettledatColonaeintheTroad，andwasintriguingwiththebarbarians，andthathisstaytherewasfornogoodpurpose；andtheephors，nownolongerhesitating，senthimaheraldandascytalewithorderstoaccompanytheheraldorbedeclaredapublicenemy。
Anxiousaboveeverythingtoavoidsuspicion，andconfidentthathecouldquashthechargebymeansofmoney，hereturnedasecondtimetoSparta。Atfirstthrownintoprisonbytheephors(whosepowersenablethemtodothistotheKing)，sooncompromisedthematterandcameoutagain，andofferedhimselffortrialtoanywhowishedtoinstituteaninquiryconcerninghim。
NowtheSpartanshadnotangibleproofagainsthim-neitherhisenemiesnorthenation-ofthatindubitablekindrequiredforthepunishmentofamemberoftheroyalfamily，andatthatmomentinhighoffice；hebeingregentforhisfirstcousinKingPleistarchus，Leonidas'sson，whowasstillaminor。Butbyhiscontemptofthelawsandimitationofthebarbarians，hegavegroundsformuchsuspicionofhisbeingdiscontentedwiththingsestablished；alltheoccasionsonwhichhehadinanywaydepartedfromtheregularcustomswerepassedinreview，anditwasrememberedthathehadtakenuponhimselftohaveinscribedonthetripodatDelphi，whichwasdedicatedbytheHellenesasthefirst-fruitsofthespoiloftheMedes，thefollowingcouplet:
TheMededefeated，greatPausaniasraisedThismonument，thatPhoebusmightbepraised。
AtthetimetheLacedaemonianshadatonceerasedthecouplet，andinscribedthenamesofthecitiesthathadaidedintheoverthrowofthebarbariananddedicatedtheoffering。YetitwasconsideredthatPausaniashadherebeenguiltyofagraveoffence，which，interpretedbythelightoftheattitudewhichhehadsinceassumed，gainedanewsignificance，andseemedtobequiteinkeepingwithhispresentschemes。Besides，theywereinformedthathewasevenintriguingwiththeHelots；andsuchindeedwasthefact，forhepromisedthemfreedomandcitizenshipiftheywouldjoinhimininsurrectionandwouldhelphimtocarryouthisplanstotheend。
Evennow，mistrustingtheevidenceevenoftheHelotsthemselves，theephorswouldnotconsenttotakeanydecidedstepagainsthim；
inaccordancewiththeirregularcustomtowardsthemselves，namely，tobeslowintakinganyirrevocableresolveinthematterofaSpartancitizenwithoutindisputableproof。Atlast，itissaid，thepersonwhowasgoingtocarrytoArtabazusthelastletterfortheKing，amanofArgilus，oncethefavouriteandmosttrustyservantofPausanias，turnedinformer。Alarmedbythereflectionthatnoneofthepreviousmessengershadeverreturned，havingcounterfeitedtheseal，inorderthat，ifhefoundhimselfmistakeninhissurmises，orifPausaniasshouldasktomakesomecorrection，hemightnotbediscovered，heundidtheletter，andfoundthepostscriptthathehadsuspected，viz。，anordertoputhimtodeath。
Onbeingshowntheletter，theephorsnowfeltmorecertain。
Still，theywishedtohearPausaniascommithimselfwiththeirownears。AccordinglythemanwentbyappointmenttoTaenarusasasuppliant，andtherebuilthimselfahutdividedintotwobyapartition；withinwhichheconcealedsomeoftheephorsandletthemhearthewholematterplainly。ForPausaniascametohimandaskedhimthereasonofhissuppliantposition；andthemanreproachedhimwiththeorderthathehadwrittenconcerninghim，andonebyonedeclaredalltherestofthecircumstances，howhewhohadneveryetbroughthimintoanydanger，whileemployedasagentbetweenhimandtheKing，wasyetjustlikethemassofhisservantstoberewardedwithdeath。Admittingallthis，andtellinghimnottobeangryaboutthematter，Pausaniasgavehimthepledgeofraisinghimupfromthetemple，andbeggedhimtosetoffasquicklyaspossible，andnottohinderthebusinessinhand。
Theephorslistenedcarefully，andthendeparted，takingnoactionforthemoment，but，havingatlastattainedtocertainty，werepreparingtoarresthiminthecity。Itisreportedthat，ashewasabouttobearrestedinthestreet，hesawfromthefaceofoneoftheephorswhathewascomingfor；another，too，madehimasecretsignal，andbetrayedittohimfromkindness。SettingoffwitharunforthetempleofthegoddessoftheBrazenHouse，theenclosureofwhichwasnearathand，hesucceededintakingsanctuarybeforetheytookhim，andenteringintoasmallchamber，whichformedpartofthetemple，toavoidbeingexposedtotheweather，laystillthere。Theephors，forthemomentdistancedinthepursuit，afterwardstookofftheroofofthechamber，andhavingmadesurethathewasinside，shuthimin，barricadedthedoors，andstayingbeforetheplace，reducedhimbystarvation。Whentheyfoundthathewasonthepointofexpiring，justashewas，inthechamber，theybroughthimoutofthetemple，whilethebreathwasstillinhim，andassoonashewasbroughtouthedied。TheyweregoingtothrowhimintotheKaiadas，wheretheycastcriminals，butfinallydecidedtointerhimsomewherenear。ButthegodatDelphiafterwardsorderedtheLacedaemonianstoremovethetombtotheplaceofhisdeath-wherehenowliesintheconsecratedground，asaninscriptiononamonumentdeclares-and，aswhathadbeendonewasacursetothem，togivebacktwobodiesinsteadofonetothegoddessoftheBrazenHouse。
Sotheyhadtwobrazenstatuesmade，anddedicatedthemasasubstituteforPausanias。theAtheniansretortedbytellingtheLacedaemonianstodriveoutwhatthegodhimselfhadpronouncedtobeacurse。
ToreturntotheMedismofPausanias。MatterwasfoundinthecourseoftheinquirytoimplicateThemistocles；andtheLacedaemoniansaccordinglysentenvoystotheAtheniansandrequiredthemtopunishhimastheyhadpunishedPausanias。TheAtheniansconsentedtodoso。Buthehad，asithappened，beenostracized，and，witharesidenceatArgos，wasinthehabitofvisitingotherpartsofPeloponnese。
SotheysentwiththeLacedaemonians，whowerereadytojoininthepursuit，personswithinstructionstotakehimwherevertheyfoundhim。ButThemistoclesgotscentoftheirintentions，andfledfromPeloponnesetoCorcyra，whichwasunderobligationstowardshim。ButtheCorcyraeansallegedthattheycouldnotventuretoshelterhimatthecostofoffendingAthensandLacedaemon，andtheyconveyedhimovertothecontinentopposite。Pursuedbytheofficerswhohungonthereportofhismovements，atalosswheretoturn，hewascompelledtostopatthehouseofAdmetus，theMolossianking，thoughtheywerenotonfriendlyterms。Admetushappenednottobeindoors，buthiswife，towhomhemadehimselfasuppliant，instructedhimtotaketheirchildinhisarmsandsitdownbythehearth。SoonafterwardsAdmetuscamein，andThemistoclestoldhimwhohewas，andbeggedhimnottorevengeonThemistoclesinexileanyoppositionwhichhisrequestsmighthaveexperiencedfromThemistoclesatAthens。Indeed，hewasnowfartoolowforhisrevenge；retaliationwasonlyhonourablebetweenequals。Besides，hisoppositiontothekinghadonlyaffectedthesuccessofarequest，notthesafetyofhisperson；ifthekingweretogivehimuptothepursuersthathementioned，andthefatewhichtheyintendedforhim，hewouldjustbeconsigninghimtocertaindeath。
TheKinglistenedtohimandraisedhimupwithhisson，ashewassittingwithhiminhisarmsafterthemosteffectualmethodofsupplication，andonthearrivaloftheLacedaemoniansnotlongafterwards，refusedtogivehimupforanythingtheycouldsay，butsenthimoffbylandtotheotherseatoPydnainAlexander'sdominions，ashewishedtogotothePersianking。TherehemetwithamerchantmanonthepointofstartingforIonia。Goingonboard，hewascarriedbyastormtotheAtheniansquadronwhichwasblockadingNaxos。Inhisalarm-hewasluckilyunknowntothepeopleinthevessel-hetoldthemasterwhohewasandwhathewasflyingfor，andsaidthat，ifherefusedtosavehim，hewoulddeclarethathewastakinghimforabribe。Meanwhiletheirsafetyconsistedinlettingnooneleavetheshipuntilafavourabletimeforsailingshouldarise。
Ifhecompliedwithhiswishes，hepromisedhimaproperrecompense。
Themasteractedashedesired，and，afterlyingtoforadayandanightoutofreachofthesquadron，atlengtharrivedatEphesus。
Afterhavingrewardedhimwithapresentofmoney，assoonashereceivedsomefromhisfriendsatAthensandfromhissecrethoardsatArgos，ThemistoclesstartedinlandwithoneofthecoastPersians，andsentalettertoKingArtaxerxes，Xerxes'sson，whohadjustcometothethrone。Itscontentswereasfollows:"I，Themistocles，amcometoyou，whodidyourhousemoreharmthananyoftheHellenes，whenIwascompelledtodefendmyselfagainstyourfather'sinvasion-harm，however，farsurpassedbythegoodthatIdidhimduringhisretreat，whichbroughtnodangerformebutmuchforhim。Forthepast，youareagoodturninmydebt"-herehementionedthewarningsenttoXerxesfromSalamistoretreat，aswellashisfindingthebridgesunbroken，which，ashefalselypretended，wasduetohim-
"forthepresent，abletodoyougreatservice，Iamhere，pursuedbytheHellenesformyfriendshipforyou。However，Idesireayear'sgrace，whenIshallbeabletodeclareinpersontheobjectsofmycoming。"
ItissaidthattheKingapprovedhisintention，andtoldhimtodoashesaid。HeemployedtheintervalinmakingwhatprogresshecouldinthestudyofthePersiantongue，andofthecustomsofthecountry。Arrivedatcourtattheendoftheyear，heattainedtoveryhighconsiderationthere，suchasnoHellenehaseverpossessedbeforeorsince；partlyfromhissplendidantecedents，partlyfromthehopeswhichheheldoutofeffectingforhimthesubjugationofHellas，butprincipallybytheproofwhichexperiencedailygaveofhiscapacity。ForThemistocleswasamanwhoexhibitedthemostindubitablesignsofgenius；indeed，inthisparticularhehasaclaimonouradmirationquiteextraordinaryandunparalleled。Byhisownnativecapacity，alikeunformedandunsupplementedbystudy，hewasatoncethebestjudgeinthosesuddencriseswhichadmitoflittleorofnodeliberation，andthebestprophetofthefuture，eventoitsmostdistantpossibilities。Anabletheoreticalexpositorofallthatcamewithinthesphereofhispractice，hewasnotwithoutthepowerofpassinganadequatejudgmentinmattersinwhichhehadnoexperience。Hecouldalsoexcellentlydivinethegoodandevilwhichlayhidintheunseenfuture。Infine，whetherweconsidertheextentofhisnaturalpowers，ortheslightnessofhisapplication，thisextraordinarymanmustbeallowedtohavesurpassedallothersinthefacultyofintuitivelymeetinganemergency。Diseasewastherealcauseofhisdeath；thoughthereisastoryofhishavingendedhislifebypoison，onfindinghimselfunabletofulfilhispromisestotheking。Howeverthismaybe，thereisamonumenttohiminthemarketplaceofAsiaticMagnesia。Hewasgovernorofthedistrict，theKinghavinggivenhimMagnesia，whichbroughtinfiftytalentsayear，forbread，Lampsacus，whichwasconsideredtobetherichestwinecountry，forwine，andMyosforotherprovisions。Hisbones，itissaid，wereconveyedhomebyhisrelativesinaccordancewithhiswishes，andinterredinAtticground。ThiswasdonewithouttheknowledgeoftheAthenians；asitisagainstthelawtoburyinAtticaanoutlawfortreason。SoendsthehistoryofPausaniasandThemistocles，theLacedaemonianandtheAthenian，themostfamousmenoftheirtimeinHellas。
ToreturntotheLacedaemonians。Thehistoryoftheirfirstembassy，theinjunctionswhichitconveyed，andtherejoinderwhichitprovoked，concerningtheexpulsionoftheaccursedpersons，havebeenrelatedalready。Itwasfollowedbyasecond，whichorderedAthenstoraisethesiegeofPotidaea，andtorespecttheindependenceofAegina。Aboveall，itgavehermostdistinctlytounderstandthatwarmightbepreventedbytherevocationoftheMegaradecree，excludingtheMegariansfromtheuseofAthenianharboursandofthemarketofAthens。ButAthenswasnotinclinedeithertorevokethedecree，ortoentertaintheirotherproposals；sheaccusedtheMegariansofpushingtheircultivationintotheconsecratedgroundandtheunenclosedlandontheborder，andofharbouringherrunawayslaves。AtlastanembassyarrivedwiththeLacedaemonianultimatum。
TheambassadorswereRamphias，Melesippus，andAgesander。Notawordwassaidonanyoftheoldsubjects；therewassimplythis:
"Lacedaemonwishesthepeacetocontinue，andthereisnoreasonwhyitshouldnot，ifyouwouldleavetheHellenesindependent。"UponthistheAtheniansheldanassembly，andlaidthematterbeforetheirconsideration。Itwasresolvedtodeliberateonceforallonalltheirdemands，andtogivethemananswer。Thereweremanyspeakerswhocameforwardandgavetheirsupporttoonesideortheother，urgingthenecessityofwar，ortherevocationofthedecreeandthefollyofallowingittostandinthewayofpeace。AmongthemcameforwardPericles，sonofXanthippus，thefirstmanofhistimeatAthens，ablestalikeincounselandinaction，andgavethefollowingadvice:
"Thereisoneprinciple，Athenians，whichIholdtothrougheverything，andthatistheprincipleofnoconcessiontothePeloponnesians。Iknowthatthespiritwhichinspiresmenwhiletheyarebeingpersuadedtomakewarisnotalwaysretainedinaction；thatascircumstanceschange，resolutionschange。YetIseethatnowasbeforethesame，almostliterallythesame，counselisdemandedofme；
andIputittothoseofyouwhoareallowingyourselvestobepersuaded，tosupportthenationalresolveseveninthecaseofreverses，ortoforfeitallcreditfortheirwisdomintheeventofsuccess。Forsometimesthecourseofthingsisasarbitraryastheplansofman；indeedthisiswhyweusuallyblamechanceforwhateverdoesnothappenasweexpected。NowitwasclearbeforethatLacedaemonentertaineddesignsagainstus；itisstillmoreclearnow。Thetreatyprovidesthatweshallmutuallysubmitourdifferencestolegalsettlement，andthatweshallmeanwhileeachkeepwhatwehave。YettheLacedaemoniansneveryetmadeusanysuchoffer，neveryetwouldacceptfromusanysuchoffer；onthecontrary，theywishcomplaintstobesettledbywarinsteadofbynegotiation；andintheendwefindthemheredroppingthetoneofexpostulationandadoptingthatofcommand。TheyorderustoraisethesiegeofPotidaea，toletAeginabeindependent，torevoketheMegaradecree；
andtheyconcludewithanultimatumwarningustoleavetheHellenesindependent。IhopethatyouwillnoneofyouthinkthatweshallbegoingtowarforatrifleifwerefusetorevoketheMegaradecree，whichappearsinfrontoftheircomplaints，andtherevocationofwhichistosaveusfromwar，orletanyfeelingofself-reproachlingerinyourminds，asifyouwenttowarforslightcause。Why，thistriflecontainsthewholesealandtrialofyourresolution。Ifyougiveway，youwillinstantlyhavetomeetsomegreaterdemand，ashavingbeenfrightenedintoobedienceinthefirstinstance；
whileafirmrefusalwillmakethemclearlyunderstandthattheymusttreatyoumoreasequals。Makeyourdecisionthereforeatonce，eithertosubmitbeforeyouareharmed，orifwearetogotowar，asIforonethinkweought，todosowithoutcaringwhethertheostensiblecausebegreatorsmall，resolvedagainstmakingconcessionsorconsentingtoaprecarioustenureofourpossessions。
Forallclaimsfromanequal，urgeduponaneighbourascommandsbeforeanyattemptatlegalsettlement，betheygreatorbetheysmall，haveonlyonemeaning，andthatisslavery。
"Astothewarandtheresourcesofeitherparty，adetailedcomparisonwillnotshowyoutheinferiorityofAthens。Personallyengagedinthecultivationoftheirland，withoutfundseitherprivateorpublic，thePeloponnesiansarealsowithoutexperienceinlongwarsacrosssea，fromthestrictlimitwhichpovertyimposesontheirattacksuponeachother。Powersofthisdescriptionarequiteincapableofoftenmanningafleetoroftensendingoutanarmy:
theycannotaffordtheabsencefromtheirhomes，theexpenditurefromtheirownfunds；andbesides，theyhavenotcommandofthesea。
Capital，itmustberemembered，maintainsawarmorethanforcedcontributions。Farmersareaclassofmenthatarealwaysmorereadytoserveinpersonthaninpurse。Confidentthattheformerwillsurvivethedangers，theyarebynomeanssosurethatthelatterwillnotbeprematurelyexhausted，especiallyifthewarlastlongerthantheyexpect，whichitverylikelywill。InasinglebattlethePeloponnesiansandtheiralliesmaybeabletodefyallHellas，buttheyareincapacitatedfromcarryingonawaragainstapowerdifferentincharacterfromtheirown，bythewantofthesinglecouncil-chamberrequisitetopromptandvigorousaction，andthesubstitutionofadietcomposedofvariousraces，inwhicheverystatepossessesanequalvote，andeachpressesitsownends，aconditionofthingswhichgenerallyresultsinnoactionatall。Thegreatwishofsomeistoavengethemselvesonsomeparticularenemy，thegreatwishofotherstosavetheirownpocket。Slowinassembling，theydevoteaverysmallfractionofthetimetotheconsiderationofanypublicobject，mostofittotheprosecutionoftheirownobjects。
Meanwhileeachfanciesthatnoharmwillcomeofhisneglect，thatitisthebusinessofsomebodyelsetolookafterthisorthatforhim；andso，bythesamenotionbeingentertainedbyallseparately，thecommoncauseimperceptiblydecays。
"Buttheprincipalpointisthehindrancethattheywillexperiencefromwantofmoney。Theslownesswithwhichitcomesinwillcausedelay；buttheopportunitiesofwarwaitfornoman。Again，weneednotbealarmedeitheratthepossibilityoftheirraisingfortificationsinAttica，orattheirnavy。Itwouldbedifficultforanysystemoffortificationstoestablisharivalcity，evenintimeofpeace，muchmore，surely，inanenemy'scountry，withAthensjustasmuchfortifiedagainstitasitagainstAthens；whileamerepostmightbeabletodosomeharmtothecountrybyincursionsandbythefacilitieswhichitwouldaffordfordesertion，butcanneverpreventoursailingintotheircountryandraisingfortificationsthere，andmakingreprisalswithourpowerfulfleet。Forournavalskillisofmoreusetousforserviceonland，thantheirmilitaryskillforserviceatsea。Familiaritywiththeseatheywillnotfindaneasyacquisition。IfyouwhohavebeenpractisingatiteversincetheMedianinvasionhavenotyetbroughtittoperfection，isthereanychanceofanythingconsiderablebeingeffectedbyanagricultural，unseafaringpopulation，whowillbesidesbepreventedfrompractisingbytheconstantpresenceofstrongsquadronsofobservationfromAthens？Withasmallsquadrontheymighthazardanengagement，encouragingtheirignorancebynumbers；buttherestraintofastrongforcewillpreventtheirmoving，andthroughwantofpracticetheywillgrowmoreclumsy，andconsequentlymoretimid。Itmustbekeptinmindthatseamanship，justlikeanythingelse，isamatterofart，andwillnotadmitofbeingtakenupoccasionallyasanoccupationfortimesofleisure；onthecontrary，itissoexactingastoleaveleisurefornothingelse。
"EveniftheyweretotouchthemoneysatOlympiaorDelphi，andtrytoseduceourforeignsailorsbythetemptationofhigherpay，thatwouldonlybeaseriousdangerifwecouldnotstillbeamatchforthembyembarkingourowncitizensandthealiensresidentamongus。
Butinfactbythismeanswearealwaysamatchforthem；and，bestofall，wehavealargerandhigherclassofnativecoxswainsandsailorsamongourowncitizensthanalltherestofHellas。Andtosaynothingofthedangerofsuchastep，noneofourforeignsailorswouldconsenttobecomeanoutlawfromhiscountry，andtotakeservicewiththemandtheirhopes，forthesakeofafewdays'highpay。
"This，Ithink，isatolerablyfairaccountofthepositionofthePeloponnesians；thatofAthensisfreefromthedefectsthatIhavecriticizedinthem，andhasotheradvantagesofitsown，whichtheycanshownothingtoequal。Iftheymarchagainstourcountrywewillsailagainsttheirs，anditwillthenbefoundthatthedesolationofthewholeofAtticaisnotthesameasthatofevenafractionofPeloponnese；fortheywillnotbeabletosupplythedeficiencyexceptbyabattle，whilewehaveplentyoflandbothontheislandsandthecontinent。Theruleoftheseaisindeedagreatmatter。
Considerforamoment。Supposethatwewereislanders；canyouconceiveamoreimpregnableposition？Well，thisinfutureshould，asfaraspossible，beourconceptionofourposition。Dismissingallthoughtofourlandandhouses，wemustvigilantlyguardtheseaandthecity。NoirritationthatwemayfeelfortheformermustprovokeustoabattlewiththenumericalsuperiorityofthePeloponnesians。Avictorywouldonlybesucceededbyanotherbattleagainstthesamesuperiority:areverseinvolvesthelossofourallies，thesourceofourstrength，whowillnotremainquietadayafterwebecomeunabletomarchagainstthem。Wemustcrynotoverthelossofhousesandlandbutofmen'slives；sincehousesandlanddonotgainmen，butmenthem。AndifIhadthoughtthatIcouldpersuadeyou，Iwouldhavebidyougooutandlaythemwastewithyourownhands，andshowthePeloponnesiansthatthisatanyratewillnotmakeyousubmit。
"Ihavemanyotherreasonstohopeforafavourableissue，ifyoucanconsentnottocombineschemesoffreshconquestwiththeconductofthewar，andwillabstainfromwilfullyinvolvingyourselvesinotherdangers；indeed，Iammoreafraidofourownblundersthanoftheenemy'sdevices。Butthesemattersshallbeexplainedinanotherspeech，aseventsrequire；forthepresentdismissthesemenwiththeanswerthatwewillallowMegaratheuseofourmarketandharbours，whentheLacedaemonianssuspendtheiralienactsinfavourofusandourallies，therebeingnothinginthetreatytopreventeitheroneortheother:thatwewillleavethecitiesindependent，ifindependentwefoundthemwhenwemadethetreaty，andwhentheLacedaemoniansgranttotheircitiesanindependencenotinvolvingsubserviencetoLacedaemonianinterests，butsuchaseachseverallymaydesire:thatwearewillingtogivethelegalsatisfactionwhichouragreementsspecify，andthatweshallnotcommencehostilities，butshallresistthosewhodocommencethem。
ThisisanansweragreeableatoncetotherightsandthedignityofAthens。Itmustbethoroughlyunderstoodthatwarisanecessity；
butthatthemorereadilyweacceptit，thelesswillbetheardourofouropponents，andthatoutofthegreatestdangerscommunitiesandindividualsacquirethegreatestglory。DidnotourfathersresisttheMedesnotonlywithresourcesfardifferentfromours，butevenwhenthoseresourceshadbeenabandoned；andmorebywisdomthanbyfortune，morebydaringthanbystrength，didnottheybeatoffthebarbarianandadvancetheiraffairstotheirpresentheight？Wemustnotfallbehindthem，butmustresistourenemiesinanywayandineveryway，andattempttohanddownourpowertoourposterityunimpaired。"
SuchwerethewordsofPericles。TheAthenians，persuadedofthewisdomofhisadvice，votedashedesired，andansweredtheLacedaemoniansasherecommended，bothontheseparatepointsandinthegeneral；theywoulddonothingondictation，butwerereadytohavethecomplaintssettledinafairandimpartialmannerbythelegalmethod，whichthetermsofthetruceprescribed。Sotheenvoysdepartedhomeanddidnotreturnagain。
Thesewerethechargesanddifferencesexistingbetweentherivalpowersbeforethewar，arisingimmediatelyfromtheaffairatEpidamnusandCorcyra。Stillintercoursecontinuedinspiteofthem，andmutualcommunication。Itwascarriedonwithoutheralds，butnotwithoutsuspicion，aseventswereoccurringwhichwereequivalenttoabreachofthetreatyandmatterforwar。
TheSecondBook。
CHAPTERVI。
BeginningofthePeloponnesianWar-
FirstInvasionofAttica-FuneralOrationofPericlesTHEwarbetweentheAtheniansandPeloponnesiansandthealliesoneithersidenowreallybegins。Fornowallintercourseexceptthroughthemediumofheraldsceased，andhostilitieswerecommencedandprosecutedwithoutintermission。Thehistoryfollowsthechronologicalorderofeventsbysummersandwinters。
Thethirtyyears'trucewhichwasenteredintoaftertheconquestofEuboealastedfourteenyears。Inthefifteenth，intheforty-eighthyearofthepriestess-shipofChrysisatArgos，intheephorateofAenesiasatSparta，inthelastmonthbuttwoofthearchonshipofPythodorusatAthens，andsixmonthsafterthebattleofPotidaea，justatthebeginningofspring，aThebanforcealittleoverthreehundredstrong，underthecommandoftheirBoeotarchs，Pythangelus，sonofPhyleides，andDiemporus，sonofOnetorides，aboutthefirstwatchofthenight，madeanarmedentryintoPlataea，atownofBoeotiainalliancewithAthens。ThegateswereopenedtothembyaPlataeancalledNaucleides，who，withhisparty，hadinvitedthemin，meaningtoputtodeaththecitizensoftheoppositeparty，bringoverthecitytoThebes，andthusobtainpowerforthemselves。
ThiswasarrangedthroughEurymachus，sonofLeontiades，apersonofgreatinfluenceatThebes。ForPlataeahadalwaysbeenatvariancewithThebes；andthelatter，foreseeingthatwarwasathand，wishedtosurpriseheroldenemyintimeofpeace，beforehostilitieshadactuallybrokenout。Indeedthiswashowtheygotinsoeasilywithoutbeingobserved，asnoguardhadbeenposted。Afterthesoldiershadgroundedarmsinthemarket-place，thosewhohadinvitedtheminwishedthemtosettoworkatonceandgototheirenemies'houses。
This，however，theThebansrefusedtodo，butdeterminedtomakeaconciliatoryproclamation，andifpossibletocometoafriendlyunderstandingwiththecitizens。Theirheraldaccordinglyinvitedanywhowishedtoresumetheiroldplaceintheconfederacyoftheircountrymentogroundarmswiththem，fortheythoughtthatinthiswaythecitywouldreadilyjointhem。
OnbecomingawareofthepresenceoftheThebanswithintheirgates，andofthesuddenoccupationofthetown，thePlataeansconcludedintheiralarmthatmorehadenteredthanwasreallythecase，thenightpreventingtheirseeingthem。Theyaccordinglycametotermsand，acceptingtheproposal，madenomovement；especiallyastheThebansofferednoneofthemanyviolence。Butsomehoworother，duringthenegotiations，theydiscoveredthescantynumbersoftheThebans，anddecidedthattheycouldeasilyattackandoverpowerthem；
themassofthePlataeansbeingaversetorevoltingfromAthens。Atalleventstheyresolvedtoattemptit。Diggingthroughthepartywallsofthehouses，theythusmanagedtojoineachotherwithoutbeingseengoingthroughthestreets，inwhichtheyplacedwagonswithoutthebeastsinthem，toserveasabarricade，andarrangedeverythingelseasseemedconvenientfortheoccasion。Wheneverythinghadbeendonethatcircumstancespermitted，theywatchedtheiropportunityandwentoutoftheirhousesagainsttheenemy。Itwasstillnight，thoughdaybreakwasathand:indaylightitwasthoughtthattheirattackwouldbemetbymenfullofcourageandonequaltermswiththeirassailants，whileindarknessitwouldfalluponpanic-strickentroops，whowouldalsobeatadisadvantagefromtheirenemy'sknowledgeofthelocality。Sotheymadetheirassaultatonce，andcametoclosequartersasquicklyastheycould。
TheThebans，findingthemselvesoutwitted，immediatelycloseduptorepelallattacksmadeuponthem。Twiceorthricetheybeatbacktheirassailants。Butthemenshoutedandchargedthem，thewomenandslavesscreamedandyelledfromthehousesandpeltedthemwithstonesandtiles；besides，ithadbeenraininghardallnight；andsoatlasttheircouragegaveway，andtheyturnedandfledthroughthetown。Mostofthefugitiveswerequiteignorantoftherightwaysout，andthis，withthemud，andthedarknesscausedbythemoonbeinginherlastquarter，andthefactthattheirpursuersknewtheirwayaboutandcouldeasilystoptheirescape，provedfataltomany。Theonlygateopenwastheonebywhichtheyhadentered，andthiswasshutbyoneofthePlataeansdrivingthespikeofajavelinintothebarinsteadofthebolt；sothatevenheretherewasnolongeranymeansofexit。Theywerenowchasedalloverthetown。Somegotonthewallandthrewthemselvesover，inmostcaseswithafatalresult。Onepartymanagedtofindadesertedgate，andobtaininganaxefromawoman，cutthroughthebar；butastheyweresoonobservedonlyafewsucceededingettingout。Otherswerecutoffindetailindifferentpartsofthecity。Themostnumerousandcompactbodyrushedintoalargebuildingnexttothecitywall:thedoorsonthesideofthestreethappenedtobeopen，andtheThebansfanciedthattheywerethegatesofthetown，andthattherewasapassagerightthroughtotheoutside。ThePlataeans，seeingtheirenemiesinatrap，nowconsultedwhethertheyshouldsetfiretothebuildingandburnthemjustastheywere，orwhethertherewasanythingelsethattheycoulddowiththem；untilatlengththeseandtherestoftheThebansurvivorsfoundwanderingaboutthetownagreedtoanunconditionalsurrenderofthemselvesandtheirarmstothePlataeans。
WhilesuchwasthefateofthepartyinPlataea，therestoftheThebanswhoweretohavejoinedthemwithalltheirforcesbeforedaybreak，incaseofanythingmiscarryingwiththebodythathadentered，receivedthenewsoftheaffairontheroad，andpressedforwardtotheirsuccour。NowPlataeaisnearlyeightmilesfromThebes，andtheirmarchdelayedbytherainthathadfalleninthenight，fortheriverAsopushadrisenandwasnoteasyofpassage；andso，havingtomarchintherain，andbeinghinderedincrossingtheriver，theyarrivedtoolate，andfoundthewholepartyeitherslainorcaptive。Whentheylearnedwhathadhappened，theyatonceformedadesignagainstthePlataeansoutsidethecity。Astheattackhadbeenmadeintimeofpeace，andwasperfectlyunexpected，therewereofcoursemenandstockinthefields；andtheThebanswishedifpossibletohavesomeprisonerstoexchangeagainsttheircountrymeninthetown，shouldanychancetohavebeentakenalive。Suchwastheirplan。ButthePlataeanssuspectedtheirintentionalmostbeforeitwasformed，andbecomingalarmedfortheirfellowcitizensoutsidethetown，sentaheraldtotheThebans，reproachingthemfortheirunscrupulousattempttoseizetheircityintimeofpeace，andwarningthemagainstanyoutrageonthoseoutside。Shouldthewarningbedisregarded，theythreatenedtoputtodeaththementheyhadintheirhands，butaddedthat，ontheThebansretiringfromtheirterritory，theywouldsurrendertheprisonerstotheirfriends。ThisistheThebanaccountofthematter，andtheysaythattheyhadanoathgiventhem。ThePlataeans，ontheotherhand，donotadmitanypromiseofanimmediatesurrender，butmakeitcontingentuponsubsequentnegotiation:theoaththeydenyaltogether。Bethisasitmay，upontheThebansretiringfromtheirterritorywithoutcommittinganyinjury，thePlataeanshastilygotinwhatevertheyhadinthecountryandimmediatelyputthementodeath。Theprisonerswereahundredandeightyinnumber；Eurymachus，thepersonwithwhomthetraitorshadnegotiated，beingone。
Thisdone，thePlataeanssentamessengertoAthens，gavebackthedeadtotheThebansunderatruce，andarrangedthingsinthecityasseemedbesttomeetthepresentemergency。TheAtheniansmeanwhile，havinghadwordoftheaffairsentthemimmediatelyafteritsoccurrence，hadinstantlyseizedalltheBoeotiansinAttica，andsentaheraldtothePlataeanstoforbidtheirproceedingtoextremitieswiththeirThebanprisonerswithoutinstructionsfromAthens。Thenewsofthemen'sdeathhadofcoursenotarrived；thefirstmessengerhavingleftPlataeajustwhentheThebansenteredit，thesecondjustaftertheirdefeatandcapture；sotherewasnolaternews。
ThustheAthenianssentordersinignoranceofthefacts；andtheheraldonhisarrivalfoundthemenslain。AfterthistheAtheniansmarchedtoPlataeaandbroughtinprovisions，andleftagarrisonintheplace，alsotakingawaythewomenandchildrenandsuchofthemenaswereleastefficient。
AftertheaffairatPlataea，thetreatyhadbeenbrokenbyanovertact，andAthensatoncepreparedforwar，asdidalsoLacedaemonandherallies。TheyresolvedtosendembassiestotheKingandtosuchotherofthebarbarianpowersaseitherpartycouldlooktoforassistance，andtriedtoallythemselveswiththeindependentstatesathome。Lacedaemon，inadditiontotheexistingmarine，gaveorderstothestatesthathaddeclaredforherinItalyandSicilytobuildvesselsuptoagrandtotaloffivehundred，thequotaofeachcitybeingdeterminedbyitssize，andalsotoprovideaspecifiedsumofmoney。TillthesewerereadytheyweretoremainneutralandtoadmitsingleAthenianshipsintotheirharbours。Athensonherpartreviewedherexistingconfederacy，andsentembassiestotheplacesmoreimmediatelyroundPeloponnese-Corcyra，Cephallenia，Acarnania，andZacynthus-perceivingthatifthesecouldbereliedonshecouldcarrythewarallroundPeloponnese。
Andifbothsidesnourishedtheboldesthopesandputforththeirutmoststrengthforthewar，thiswasonlynatural。Zealisalwaysatitsheightatthecommencementofanundertaking；andonthisparticularoccasionPeloponneseandAthenswerebothfullofyoungmenwhoseinexperiencemadethemeagertotakeuparms，whiletherestofHellasstoodstrainingwithexcitementattheconflictofitsleadingcities。Everywherepredictionswerebeingrecitedandoraclesbeingchantedbysuchpersonsascollectthem，andthisnotonlyinthecontendingcities。Further，somewhilebeforethis，therewasanearthquakeatDelos，forthefirsttimeinthememoryoftheHellenes。Thiswassaidandthoughttobeominousoftheeventsimpending；indeed，nothingofthekindthathappenedwasallowedtopasswithoutremark。ThegoodwishesofmenmadegreatlyfortheLacedaemonians，especiallyastheyproclaimedthemselvestheliberatorsofHellas。Noprivateorpubliceffortthatcouldhelptheminspeechoractionwasomitted；eachthinkingthatthecausesufferedwhereverhecouldnothimselfseetoit。SogeneralwastheindignationfeltagainstAthens，whetherbythosewhowishedtoescapefromherempire，orwereapprehensiveofbeingabsorbedbyit。Suchwerethepreparationsandsuchthefeelingswithwhichthecontestopened。
Thealliesofthetwobelligerentswerethefollowing。ThesewerethealliesofLacedaemon:allthePeloponnesianswithintheIsthmusexcepttheArgivesandAchaeans，whowereneutral；PellenebeingtheonlyAchaeancitythatfirstjoinedinthewar，thoughherexamplewasafterwardsfollowedbytherest。OutsidePeloponnesetheMegarians，Locrians，Boeotians，Phocians，Ambraciots，Leucadians，andAnactorians。Ofthese，shipswerefurnishedbytheCorinthians，Megarians，Sicyonians，Pellenians，Eleans，Ambraciots，andLeucadians；
andcavalrybytheBoeotians，Phocians，andLocrians。Theotherstatessentinfantry。ThiswastheLacedaemonianconfederacy。ThatofAthenscomprisedtheChians，Lesbians，Plataeans，theMesseniansinNaupactus，mostoftheAcarnanians，theCorcyraeans，Zacynthians，andsometributarycitiesinthefollowingcountries，viz。，CariaupontheseawithherDorianneighbours，Ionia，theHellespont，theThraciantowns，theislandslyingbetweenPeloponneseandCretetowardstheeast，andalltheCycladesexceptMelosandThera。Ofthese，shipswerefurnishedbyChios，Lesbos，andCorcyra，infantryandmoneybytherest。Suchwerethealliesofeitherpartyandtheirresourcesforthewar。
ImmediatelyaftertheaffairatPlataea，LacedaemonsentroundorderstothecitiesinPeloponneseandtherestofherconfederacytopreparetroopsandtheprovisionsrequisiteforaforeigncampaign，inordertoinvadeAttica。TheseveralstateswerereadyatthetimeappointedandassembledattheIsthmus:thecontingentofeachcitybeingtwo-thirdsofitswholeforce。Afterthewholearmyhadmustered，theLacedaemonianking，Archidamus，theleaderoftheexpedition，calledtogetherthegeneralsofallthestatesandtheprincipalpersonsandofficers，andexhortedthemasfollows:
"Peloponnesiansandallies，ourfathersmademanycampaignsbothwithinandwithoutPeloponnese，andtheeldermenamongusherearenotwithoutexperienceinwar。Yetwehaveneversetoutwithalargerforcethanthepresent；andifournumbersandefficiencyareremarkable，soalsoisthepowerofthestateagainstwhichwemarch。Weoughtnotthentoshowourselvesinferiortoourancestors，orunequaltoourownreputation。ForthehopesandattentionofallHellasarebentuponthepresenteffort，anditssympathyiswiththeenemyofthehatedAthens。Therefore，numerousastheinvadingarmymayappeartobe，andcertainassomemaythinkitthatouradversarywillnotmeetusinthefield，thisisnosortofjustificationfortheleastnegligenceuponthemarch；buttheofficersandmenofeachparticularcityshouldalwaysbepreparedfortheadventofdangerintheirownquarters。Thecourseofwarcannotbeforeseen，anditsattacksaregenerallydictatedbytheimpulseofthemoment；andwhereoverweeningself-confidencehasdespisedpreparation，awiseapprehensionoftenbeenabletomakeheadagainstsuperiornumbers。Notthatconfidenceisoutofplaceinanarmyofinvasion，butinanenemy'scountryitshouldalsobeaccompaniedbytheprecautionsofapprehension:troopswillbythiscombinationbebestinspiredfordealingablow，andbestsecuredagainstreceivingone。Inthepresentinstance，thecityagainstwhichwearegoing，farfrombeingsoimpotentfordefence，isonthecontrarymostexcellentlyequippedatallpoints；sothatwehaveeveryreasontoexpectthattheywilltakethefieldagainstus，andthatiftheyhavenotsetoutalreadybeforewearethere，theywillcertainlydosowhentheyseeusintheirterritorywastinganddestroyingtheirproperty。Formenarealwaysexasperatedatsufferinginjuriestowhichtheyarenotaccustomed，andonseeingtheminflictedbeforetheirveryeyes；andwhereleastinclinedforreflection，rushwiththegreatestheattoaction。TheAtheniansaretheverypeopleofallotherstodothis，astheyaspiretoruletherestoftheworld，andaremoreinthehabitofinvadingandravagingtheirneighbours'territory，thanofseeingtheirowntreatedinthelikefashion。Considering，therefore，thepowerofthestateagainstwhichwearemarching，andthegreatnessofthereputationwhich，accordingtotheevent，weshallwinorloseforourancestorsandourselves，rememberasyoufollowwhereyoumaybeledtoregarddisciplineandvigilanceasofthefirstimportance，andtoobeywithalacritytheorderstransmittedtoyou；asnothingcontributessomuchtothecreditandsafetyofanarmyastheunionoflargebodiesbyasinglediscipline。"
Withthisbriefspeechdismissingtheassembly，ArchidamusfirstsentoffMelesippus，sonofDiacritus，aSpartan，toAthens，incasesheshouldbemoreinclinedtosubmitonseeingthePeloponnesiansactuallyonthemarch。ButtheAtheniansdidnotadmitintothecityortotheirassembly，PericleshavingalreadycarriedamotionagainstadmittingeitherheraldorembassyfromtheLacedaemoniansaftertheyhadoncemarchedout。
Theheraldwasaccordinglysentawaywithoutanaudience，andorderedtobebeyondthefrontierthatsameday；infuture，ifthosewhosenthimhadapropositiontomake，theymustretiretotheirownterritorybeforetheydispatchedembassiestoAthens。AnescortwassentwithMelesippustopreventhisholdingcommunicationwithanyone。Whenhereachedthefrontierandwasjustgoingtobedismissed，hedepartedwiththesewords:"ThisdaywillbethebeginningofgreatmisfortunestotheHellenes。"Assoonashearrivedatthecamp，andArchidamuslearntthattheAthenianshadstillnothoughtsofsubmitting，heatlengthbeganhismarch，andadvancedwithhisarmyintotheirterritory。MeanwhiletheBoeotians，sendingtheircontingentandcavalrytojointhePeloponnesianexpedition，wenttoPlataeawiththeremainderandlaidwastethecountry。
WhilethePeloponnesianswerestillmusteringattheIsthmus，oronthemarchbeforetheyinvadedAttica，Pericles，sonofXanthippus，oneofthetengeneralsoftheAthenians，findingthattheinvasionwastotakeplace，conceivedtheideathatArchidamus，whohappenedtobehisfriend，mightpossiblypassbyhisestatewithoutravagingit。Thishemightdo，eitherfromapersonalwishtoobligehim，oractingunderinstructionsfromLacedaemonforthepurposeofcreatingaprejudiceagainsthim，ashadbeenbeforeattemptedinthedemandfortheexpulsionoftheaccursedfamily。HeaccordinglytooktheprecautionofannouncingtotheAtheniansintheassemblythat，althoughArchidamuswashisfriend，yetthisfriendshipshouldnotextendtothedetrimentofthestate，andthatincasetheenemyshouldmakehishousesandlandsanexceptiontotherestandnotpillagethem，heatoncegavethemuptobepublicproperty，sothattheyshouldnotbringhimintosuspicion。Healsogavethecitizenssomeadviceontheirpresentaffairsinthesamestrainasbefore。
Theyweretoprepareforthewar，andtocarryintheirpropertyfromthecountry。Theywerenottogoouttobattle，buttocomeintothecityandguardit，andgetreadytheirfleet，inwhichtheirrealstrengthlay。Theywerealsotokeepatightreinontheirallies-thestrengthofAthensbeingderivedfromthemoneybroughtinbytheirpayments，andsuccessinwardependingprincipallyuponconductandcapital。hadnoreasontodespond。Apartfromothersourcesofincome，anaveragerevenueofsixhundredtalentsofsilverwasdrawnfromthetributeoftheallies；andtherewerestillsixthousandtalentsofcoinedsilverintheAcropolis，outofninethousandsevenhundredthathadoncebeenthere，fromwhichthemoneyhadbeentakenfortheporchoftheAcropolis，theotherpublicbuildings，andforPotidaea。Thisdidnotincludetheuncoinedgoldandsilverinpublicandprivateofferings，thesacredvesselsfortheprocessionsandgames，theMedianspoils，andsimilarresourcestotheamountoffivehundredtalents。Tothisheaddedthetreasuresoftheothertemples。Thesewerebynomeansinconsiderable，andmightfairlybeused。Nay，iftheywereeverabsolutelydriventoit，theymighttakeeventhegoldornamentsofAtheneherself；forthestatuecontainedfortytalentsofpuregoldanditwasallremovable。Thismightbeusedforself-preservation，andmusteverypennyofitberestored。Suchwastheirfinancialposition-surelyasatisfactoryone。Thentheyhadanarmyofthirteenthousandheavyinfantry，besidessixteenthousandmoreinthegarrisonsandonhomedutyatAthens。Thiswasatfirstthenumberofmenonguardintheeventofaninvasion:itwascomposedoftheoldestandyoungestleviesandtheresidentalienswhohadheavyarmour。ThePhalericwallranforfourmiles，beforeitjoinedthatroundthecity；andofthislastnearlyfivehadaguard，althoughpartofitwasleftwithoutone，viz。，thatbetweentheLongWallandthePhaleric。ThenthereweretheLongWallstoPiraeus，adistanceofsomefourmilesandahalf，theouterofwhichwasmanned。
Lastly，thecircumferenceofPiraeuswithMunychiawasnearlysevenmilesandahalf；onlyhalfofthis，however，wasguarded。Periclesalsoshowedthemthattheyhadtwelvehundredhorseincludingmountedarchers，withsixteenhundredarchersunmounted，andthreehundredgalleysfitforservice。SuchweretheresourcesofAthensinthedifferentdepartmentswhenthePeloponnesianinvasionwasimpendingandhostilitieswerebeingcommenced。Periclesalsourgedhisusualargumentsforexpectingafavourableissuetothewar。
TheAthenianslistenedtohisadvice，andbegantocarryintheirwivesandchildrenfromthecountry，andalltheirhouseholdfurniture，eventothewoodworkoftheirhouseswhichtheytookdown。TheirsheepandcattletheysentovertoEuboeaandtheadjacentislands。Buttheyfoundithardtomove，asmostofthemhadbeenalwaysusedtoliveinthecountry。
FromveryearlytimesthishadbeenmorethecasewiththeAtheniansthanwithothers。UnderCecropsandthefirstkings，downtothereignofTheseus，Atticahadalwaysconsistedofanumberofindependenttownships，eachwithitsowntownhallandmagistrates。ExceptintimesofdangerthekingatAthenswasnotconsulted；inordinaryseasonstheycarriedontheirgovernmentandsettledtheiraffairswithouthisinterference；sometimeseventheywagedwaragainsthim，asinthecaseoftheEleusinianswithEumolpusagainstErechtheus。InTheseus，however，theyhadakingofequalintelligenceandpower；andoneofthechieffeaturesinhisorganizationofthecountrywastoabolishthecouncil-chambersandmagistratesofthepettycities，andtomergetheminthesinglecouncil-chamberandtownhallofthepresentcapital。Individualsmightstillenjoytheirprivatepropertyjustasbefore，buttheywerehenceforthcompelledtohaveonlyonepoliticalcentre，viz。，Athens；whichthuscountedalltheinhabitantsofAtticaamonghercitizens，sothatwhenTheseusdiedheleftagreatstatebehindhim。Indeed，fromhimdatestheSynoecia，orFeastofUnion；whichispaidforbythestate，andwhichtheAtheniansstillkeepinhonourofthegoddess。Beforethisthecityconsistedofthepresentcitadelandthedistrictbeneathitlookingrathertowardsthesouth。Thisisshownbythefactthatthetemplesoftheotherdeities，besidesthatofAthene，areinthecitadel；
andeventhosethatareoutsideitaremostlysituatedinthisquarterofthecity，asthatoftheOlympianZeus，ofthePythianApollo，ofEarth，andofDionysusintheMarshes，thesameinwhosehonourtheolderDionysiaaretothisdaycelebratedinthemonthofAnthesterionnotonlybytheAtheniansbutalsobytheirIoniandescendants。
Therearealsootherancienttemplesinthisquarter。Thefountaintoo，which，sincethealterationmadebythetyrants，hasbeencalledEnneacrounos，orNinePipes，butwhich，whenthespringwasopen，wentbythenameofCallirhoe，orFairwater，wasinthosedays，frombeingsonear，usedforthemostimportantoffices。Indeed，theoldfashionofusingthewaterbeforemarriageandforothersacredpurposesisstillkeptup。Again，fromtheiroldresidenceinthatquarter，thecitadelisstillknownamongAtheniansasthecity。
TheAtheniansthuslonglivedscatteredoverAtticainindependenttownships。EvenafterthecentralizationofTheseus，oldhabitstillprevailed；andfromtheearlytimesdowntothepresentwarmostAtheniansstilllivedinthecountrywiththeirfamiliesandhouseholds，andwereconsequentlynotatallinclinedtomovenow，especiallyastheyhadonlyjustrestoredtheirestablishmentsaftertheMedianinvasion。Deepwastheirtroubleanddiscontentatabandoningtheirhousesandthehereditarytemplesoftheancientconstitution，andathavingtochangetheirhabitsoflifeandtobidfarewelltowhateachregardedashisnativecity。
WhentheyarrivedatAthens，thoughafewhadhousesoftheirowntogoto，orcouldfindanasylumwithfriendsorrelatives，byfarthegreaternumberhadtotakeuptheirdwellinginthepartsofthecitythatwerenotbuiltoverandinthetemplesandchapelsoftheheroes，excepttheAcropolisandthetempleoftheEleusinianDemeterandsuchotherPlacesaswerealwayskeptclosed。TheoccupationoftheplotofgroundlyingbelowthecitadelcalledthePelasgianhadbeenforbiddenbyacurse；andtherewasalsoanominousfragmentofaPythianoraclewhichsaid:
LeavethePelasgianparceldesolate，Woeworththedaythatmeninhabitit！
Yetthistoowasnowbuiltoverinthenecessityofthemoment。Andinmyopinion，iftheoracleprovedtrue，itwasintheoppositesensetowhatwasexpected。Forthemisfortunesofthestatedidnotarisefromtheunlawfuloccupation，butthenecessityoftheoccupationfromthewar；andthoughthegoddidnotmentionthis，heforesawthatitwouldbeanevildayforAthensinwhichtheplotcametobeinhabited。Manyalsotookuptheirquartersinthetowersofthewallsorwhereverelsetheycould。Forwhentheywereallcomein，thecityprovedtoosmalltoholdthem；thoughafterwardstheydividedtheLongWallsandagreatpartofPiraeusintolotsandsettledthere。
Allthiswhilegreatattentionwasbeinggiventothewar；theallieswerebeingmustered，andanarmamentofahundredshipsequippedforPeloponnese。SuchwasthestateofpreparationatAthens。
MeanwhilethearmyofthePeloponnesianswasadvancing。ThefirsttowntheycametoinAtticawasOenoe，wheretheytoenterthecountry。Sittingdownbeforeit，theypreparedtoassaultthewallwithenginesandotherwise。Oenoe，standingupontheAthenianandBoeotianborder，wasofcourseawalledtown，andwasusedasafortressbytheAtheniansintimeofwar。SothePeloponnesianspreparedfortheirassault，andwastedsomevaluabletimebeforetheplace。ThisdelaybroughtthegravestcensureuponArchidamus。EvenduringthelevyingofthewarhehadcreditforweaknessandAtheniansympathiesbythehalfmeasureshehadadvocated；andafterthearmyhadassembledhehadfurtherinjuredhimselfinpublicestimationbyhisloiteringattheIsthmusandtheslownesswithwhichtherestofthemarchhadbeenconducted。ButallthiswasasnothingtothedelayatOenoe。DuringthisintervaltheAthenianswerecarryingintheirproperty；anditwasthebeliefofthePeloponnesiansthataquickadvancewouldhavefoundeverythingstillout，haditnotbeenforhisprocrastination。SuchwasthefeelingofthearmytowardsArchidamusduringthesiege。Buthe，itissaid，expectedthattheAthenianswouldshrinkfromlettingtheirlandbewasted，andwouldmaketheirsubmissionwhileitwasstilluninjured；andthiswaswhyhewaited。
ButafterhehadassaultedOenoe，andeverypossibleattempttotakeithadfailed，asnoheraldcamefromAthens，heatlastbrokeuphiscampandinvadedAttica。ThiswasabouteightydaysaftertheThebanattemptuponPlataea，justinthemiddleofsummer，whenthecornwasripe，andArchidamus，sonofZeuxis，kingofLacedaemon，wasincommand。EncampinginEleusisandtheThriasianplain，theybegantheirravages，andputtingtoflightsomeAthenianhorseataplacecalledRheiti，ortheBrooks，theythenadvanced，keepingMountAegaleusontheirright，throughCropia，untiltheyreachedAcharnae，thelargestoftheAtheniandemesortownships。Sittingdownbeforeit，theyformedacampthere，andcontinuedtheirravagesforalongwhile。
ThereasonwhyArchidamusremainedinorderofbattleatAcharnaeduringthisincursion，insteadofdescendingintotheplain，issaidtohavebeenthis。HehopedthattheAtheniansmightpossiblybetemptedbythemultitudeoftheiryouthandtheunprecedentedefficiencyoftheirservicetocomeouttobattleandattempttostopthedevastationoftheirlands。Accordingly，astheyhadmethimatEleusisortheThriasianplain，hetriediftheycouldbeprovokedtoasallybythespectacleofacampatAcharnae。Hethoughttheplaceitselfagoodpositionforencamping；anditseemedlikelythatsuchanimportantpartofthestateasthethreethousandheavyinfantryoftheAcharnianswouldrefusetosubmittotheruinoftheirproperty，andwouldforceabattleontherestofthecitizens。Ontheotherhand，shouldtheAtheniansnottakethefieldduringthisincursion，hecouldthenfearlesslyravagetheplaininfutureinvasions，andextendhisadvanceuptotheverywallsofAthens。
AftertheAcharnianshadlosttheirownpropertytheywouldbelesswillingtoriskthemselvesforthatoftheirneighbours；andsotherewouldbedivisionintheAtheniancounsels。ThesewerethemotivesofArchidamusforremainingatAcharnae。
Inthemeanwhile，aslongasthearmywasatEleusisandtheThriasianplain，hopeswerestillentertainedofitsnotadvancinganynearer。ItwasrememberedthatPleistoanax，sonofPausanias，kingofLacedaemon，hadinvadedAtticawithaPeloponnesianarmyfourteenyearsbefore，buthadretreatedwithoutadvancingfartherthanEleusisandThria，whichindeedprovedthecauseofhisexilefromSparta，asitwasthoughthehadbeenbribedtoretreat。ButwhentheysawthearmyatAcharnae，barelysevenmilesfromAthens，theylostallpatience。TheterritoryofAthenswasbeingravagedbeforetheveryeyesoftheAthenians，asightwhichtheyoungmenhadneverseenbeforeandtheoldonlyintheMedianwars；anditwasnaturallythoughtagrievousinsult，andthedeterminationwasuniversal，especiallyamongtheyoungmen，tosallyforthandstopit。Knotswereformedinthestreetsandengagedinhotdiscussion；foriftheproposedsallywaswarmlyrecommended，itwasalsoinsomecasesopposed。Oraclesofthemostvariousimportwererecitedbythecollectors，andfoundeagerlistenersinoneorotherofthedisputants。ForemostinpressingforthesallyweretheAcharnians，asconstitutingnosmallpartofthearmyofthestate，andasitwastheirlandthatwasbeingravaged。Inshort，thewholecitywasinamostexcitedstate；Pericleswastheobjectofgeneralindignation；
hispreviouscounselsweretotallyforgotten；hewasabusedfornotleadingoutthearmywhichhecommanded，andwasmaderesponsibleforthewholeofthepublicsuffering。
He，meanwhile，seeingangerandinfatuationjustnowintheascendant，andofhiswisdominrefusingasally，wouldnotcalleitherassemblyormeetingofthepeople，fearingthefatalresultsofadebateinspiredbypassionandnotbyprudence。Accordinglyheaddressedhimselftothedefenceofthecity，andkeptitasquietaspossible，thoughheconstantlysentoutcavalrytopreventraidsonthelandsnearthecityfromflyingpartiesoftheenemy。TherewasatriflingaffairatPhrygiabetweenasquadronoftheAthenianhorsewiththeThessaliansandtheBoeotiancavalry；inwhichtheformerhadratherthebestofit，untiltheheavyinfantryadvancedtothesupportoftheBoeotians，whentheThessaliansandAthenianswereroutedandlostafewmen，whosebodies，however，wererecoveredthesamedaywithoutatruce。ThenextdaythePeloponnesianssetupatrophy。AncientalliancebroughttheThessalianstotheaidofAthens；thosewhocamebeingtheLarisaeans，Pharsalians，Cranonians，Pyrasians，Gyrtonians，andPheraeans。TheLarisaeancommanderswerePolymedesandAristonus，twopartyleadersinLarisa；thePharsaliangeneralwasMenon；eachoftheothercitieshadalsoitsowncommander。
InthemeantimethePeloponnesians，astheAtheniansdidnotcomeouttoengagethem，brokeupfromAcharnaeandravagedsomeofthedemesbetweenMountParnesandBrilessus。WhiletheywereinAtticatheAthenianssentoffthehundredshipswhichtheyhadbeenpreparingroundPeloponnese，withathousandheavyinfantryandfourhundredarchersonboard，underthecommandofCarcinus，sonofXenotimus，Proteas，sonofEpicles，andSocrates，sonofAntigenes。Thisarmamentweighedanchorandstartedonitscruise，andthePeloponnesians，afterremaininginAtticaaslongastheirprovisionslasted，retiredthroughBoeotiabyadifferentroadtothatbywhichtheyhadentered。AstheypassedOropustheyravagedtheterritoryofGraea，whichisheldbytheOropiansfromAthens，andreachingPeloponnesebrokeuptotheirrespectivecities。
AftertheyhadretiredtheAthenianssetguardsbylandandseaatthepointsatwhichtheyintendedtohaveregularstationsduringthewar。TheyalsoresolvedtosetapartaspecialfundofathousandtalentsfromthemoneysintheAcropolis。Thiswasnottobespent，butthecurrentexpensesofthewarweretobeotherwiseprovidedfor。Ifanyoneshouldmoveorputtothevoteapropositionforusingthemoneyforanypurposewhateverexceptthatofdefendingthecityintheeventoftheenemybringingafleettomakeanattackbysea，itshouldbeacapitaloffence。Withthissumofmoneytheyalsosetasideaspecialfleetofonehundredgalleys，thebestshipsofeachyear，withtheircaptains。Noneoftheseweretobeusedexceptwiththemoneyandagainstthesameperil，shouldsuchperilarise。
MeanwhiletheAtheniansinthehundredshipsroundPeloponnese，reinforcedbyaCorcyraeansquadronoffiftyvesselsandsomeothersofthealliesinthoseparts，cruisedaboutthecoastsandravagedthecountry。AmongotherplacestheylandedinLaconiaandmadeanassaultuponMethone；therebeingnogarrisonintheplace，andthewallbeingweak。ButitsohappenedthatBrasidas，sonofTellis，aSpartan，wasincommandofaguardforthedefenceofthedistrict。Hearingoftheattack，hehurriedwithahundredheavyinfantrytotheassistanceofthebesieged，anddashingthroughthearmyoftheAthenians，whichwasscatteredoverthecountryandhaditsattentionturnedtothewall，threwhimselfintoMethone。Helostafewmeninmakinggoodhisentrance，butsavedtheplaceandwonthethanksofSpartabyhisexploit，beingthusthefirstofficerwhoobtainedthisnoticeduringthewar。TheAtheniansatonceweighedanchorandcontinuedtheircruise。TouchingatPheiainElis，theyravagedthecountryfortwodaysanddefeatedapickedforceofthreehundredmenthathadcomefromthevaleofElisandtheimmediateneighbourhoodtotherescue。Butastiffsquallcamedownuponthem，and，notlikingtofaceitinaplacewheretherewasnoharbour，mostofthemgotonboardtheirships，anddoublingPointIchthyssailedintotheportofPheia。InthemeantimetheMessenians，andsomeotherswhocouldnotgetonboard，marchedoverbylandandtookPheia。Thefleetafterwardssailedroundandpickedthemupandthenputtosea；Pheiabeingevacuated，asthemainarmyoftheEleanshadnowcomeup。TheAthenianscontinuedtheircruise，andravagedotherplacesonthecoast。
AboutthesametimetheAthenianssentthirtyshipstocruiseroundLocrisandalsotoguardEuboea；Cleopompus，sonofClinias，beingincommand。Makingdescentsfromthefleetheravagedcertainplacesonthesea-coast，andcapturedThroniumandtookhostagesfromit。HealsodefeatedatAlopetheLocriansthathadassembledtoresisthim。
DuringthesummertheAtheniansalsoexpelledtheAeginetanswiththeirwivesandchildrenfromAegina，onthegroundoftheirhavingbeenthechiefagentsinbringingthewaruponthem。Besides，AeginaliessonearPeloponnesethatitseemedsafertosendcolonistsoftheirowntoholdit，andshortlyafterwardsthesettlersweresentout。ThebanishedAeginetansfoundanasyluminThyrea，whichwasgiventothembyLacedaemon，notonlyonaccountofherquarrelwithAthens，butalsobecausetheAeginetanshadlaidherunderobligationsatthetimeoftheearthquakeandtherevoltoftheHelots。TheterritoryofThyreaisonthefrontierofArgolisandLaconia，reachingdowntothesea。ThoseoftheAeginetanswhodidnotsettleherewerescatteredovertherestofHellas。
Thesamesummer，atthebeginningofanewlunarmonth，theonlytimebythewayatwhichitappearspossible，thesunwaseclipsedafternoon。Afterithadassumedtheformofacrescentandsomeofthestarshadcomeout，itreturnedtoitsnaturalshape。
DuringthesamesummerNymphodorus，sonofPythes，anAbderite，whosesisterSitalceshadmarried，wasmadetheirproxenusbytheAtheniansandsentfortoAthens。Theyhadhithertoconsideredhimtheirenemy；buthehadgreatinfluencewithSitalces，andtheywishedthisprincetobecometheirally。SitalceswasthesonofTeresandKingoftheThracians。Teres，thefatherofSitalces，wasthefirsttoestablishthegreatkingdomoftheOdrysiansonascalequiteunknowntotherestofThrace，alargeportionoftheThraciansbeingindependent。ThisTeresisinnowayrelatedtoTereuswhomarriedPandion'sdaughterProcnefromAthens；norindeeddidtheybelongtothesamepartofThrace。TereuslivedinDaulis，partofwhatisnowcalledPhocis，butwhichatthattimewasinhabitedbyThracians。ItwasinthislandthatthewomenperpetratedtheoutrageuponItys；andmanyofthepoetswhentheymentionthenightingalecallittheDaulianbird。Besides，Pandionincontractinganallianceforhisdaughterwouldconsidertheadvantagesofmutualassistance，andwouldnaturallypreferamatchattheabovemoderatedistancetothejourneyofmanydayswhichseparatesAthensfromtheOdrysians。Againthenamesaredifferent；andthisTereswaskingoftheOdrysians，thefirstbythewaywhoattainedtoanypower。Sitalces，hisson，wasnowsoughtasanallybytheAthenians，whodesiredhisaidinthereductionoftheThraciantownsandofPerdiccas。ComingtoAthens，NymphodorusconcludedthealliancewithSitalcesandmadehissonSadocusanAtheniancitizen，andpromisedtofinishthewarinThracebypersuadingSitalcestosendtheAtheniansaforceofThracianhorseandtargeteers。HealsoreconciledthemwithPerdiccas，andinducedthemtorestoreThermetohim；uponwhichPerdiccasatoncejoinedtheAtheniansandPhormioinanexpeditionagainsttheChalcidians。ThusSitalces，sonofTeres，KingoftheThracians，andPerdiccas，sonofAlexander，KingoftheMacedonians，becamealliesofAthens。
MeanwhiletheAtheniansinthehundredvesselswerestillcruisingroundPeloponnese。AftertakingSollium，atownbelongingtoCorinth，andpresentingthecityandterritorytotheAcarnaniansofPalaira，theystormedAstacus，expelleditstyrantEvarchus，andgainedtheplacefortheirconfederacy。NexttheysailedtotheislandofCephalleniaandbroughtitoverwithoutusingforce。CephallenialiesoffAcarnaniaandLeucas，andconsistsoffourstates，thePaleans，Cranians，Samaeans，andPronaeans。NotlongafterwardsthefleetreturnedtoAthens。TowardstheautumnofthisyeartheAtheniansinvadedtheMegaridwiththeirwholelevy，residentaliensincluded，underthecommandofPericles，sonofXanthippus。TheAtheniansinthehundredshipsroundPeloponneseontheirjourneyhomehadjustreachedAegina，andhearingthatthecitizensathomewereinfullforceatMegara，nowsailedoverandjoinedthem。ThiswaswithoutdoubtthelargestarmyofAthenianseverassembled，thestatebeingstillintheflowerofherstrengthandyetunvisitedbytheplague。Fulltenthousandheavyinfantrywereinthefield，allAtheniancitizens，besidesthethreethousandbeforePotidaea。Thentheresidentalienswhojoinedintheincursionwereatleastthreethousandstrong；besideswhichtherewasamultitudeoflighttroops。Theyravagedthegreaterpartoftheterritory，andthenretired。OtherincursionsintotheMegaridwereafterwardsmadebytheAtheniansannuallyduringthewar，sometimesonlywithcavalry，sometimeswithalltheirforces。ThiswentonuntilthecaptureofNisaea。Atalantaalso，thedesertislandofftheOpuntiancoast，wastowardstheendofthissummerconvertedintoafortifiedpostbytheAthenians，inordertopreventprivateersissuingfromOpusandtherestofLocrisandplunderingEuboea。SuchweretheeventsofthissummerafterthereturnofthePeloponnesiansfromAttica。
IntheensuingwintertheAcarnanianEvarchus，wishingtoreturntoAstacus，persuadedtheCorinthianstosailoverwithfortyshipsandfifteenhundredheavyinfantryandrestorehim；himselfalsohiringsomemercenaries。IncommandoftheforcewereEuphamidas，sonofAristonymus，Timoxenus，sonofTimocrates，andEumachus，sonofChrysis，whosailedoverandrestoredhimand，afterfailinginanattemptonsomeplacesontheAcarnaniancoastwhichtheyweredesirousofgaining，begantheirvoyagehome。CoastingalongshoretheytouchedatCephalleniaandmadeadescentontheCranianterritory，andlosingsomemenbythetreacheryoftheCranians，whofellsuddenlyuponthemafterhavingagreedtotreat，puttoseasomewhathurriedlyandreturnedhome。
InthesamewintertheAtheniansgaveafuneralatthepubliccosttothosewhohadfirstfalleninthiswar。Itwasacustomoftheirancestors，andthemannerofitisasfollows。Threedaysbeforetheceremony，thebonesofthedeadarelaidoutinatentwhichhasbeenerected；andtheirfriendsbringtotheirrelativessuchofferingsastheyplease。Inthefuneralprocessioncypresscoffinsareborneincars，oneforeachtribe；thebonesofthedeceasedbeingplacedinthecoffinoftheirtribe。Amongtheseiscarriedoneemptybierdeckedforthemissing，thatis，forthosewhosebodiescouldnotberecovered。Anycitizenorstrangerwhopleases，joinsintheprocession:andthefemalerelativesaretheretowailattheburial。ThedeadarelaidinthepublicsepulchreintheBeautifulsuburbofthecity，inwhichthosewhofallinwararealwaysburied；withtheexceptionofthoseslainatMarathon，whofortheirsingularandextraordinaryvalourwereinterredonthespotwheretheyfell。Afterthebodieshavebeenlaidintheearth，amanchosenbythestate，ofapprovedwisdomandeminentreputation，pronouncesoverthemanappropriatepanegyric；afterwhichallretire。Suchisthemanneroftheburying；andthroughoutthewholeofthewar，whenevertheoccasionarose，theestablishedcustomwasobserved。
Meanwhilethesewerethefirstthathadfallen，andPericles，sonofXanthippus，waschosentopronouncetheireulogium。Whenthepropertimearrived，headvancedfromthesepulchretoanelevatedplatforminordertobeheardbyasmanyofthecrowdaspossible，andspokeasfollows:
"Mostofmypredecessorsinthisplacehavecommendedhimwhomadethisspeechpartofthelaw，tellingusthatitiswellthatitshouldbedeliveredattheburialofthosewhofallinbattle。Formyself，Ishouldhavethoughtthattheworthwhichhaddisplayeditselfindeedswouldbesufficientlyrewardedbyhonoursalsoshownbydeeds；
suchasyounowseeinthisfuneralpreparedatthepeople'scost。AndIcouldhavewishedthatthereputationsofmanybravemenwerenottobeimperilledinthemouthofasingleindividual，tostandorfallaccordingashespokewellorill。Foritishardtospeakproperlyuponasubjectwhereitisevendifficulttoconvinceyourhearersthatyouarespeakingthetruth。Ontheonehand，thefriendwhoisfamiliarwitheveryfactofthestorymaythinkthatsomepointhasnotbeensetforthwiththatfullnesswhichhewishesandknowsittodeserve；ontheother，hewhoisastrangertothemattermaybeledbyenvytosuspectexaggerationifhehearsanythingabovehisownnature。Formencanenduretohearotherspraisedonlysolongastheycanseverallypersuadethemselvesoftheirownabilitytoequaltheactionsrecounted:whenthispointispassed，envycomesinandwithitincredulity。However，sinceourancestorshavestampedthiscustomwiththeirapproval，itbecomesmydutytoobeythelawandtotrytosatisfyyourseveralwishesandopinionsasbestImay。
"Ishallbeginwithourancestors:itisbothjustandproperthattheyshouldhavethehonourofthefirstmentiononanoccasionlikethepresent。Theydweltinthecountrywithoutbreakinthesuccessionfromgenerationtogeneration，andhandeditdownfreetothepresenttimebytheirvalour。Andifourmoreremoteancestorsdeservepraise，muchmoredoourownfathers，whoaddedtotheirinheritancetheempirewhichwenowpossess，andsparednopainstobeabletoleavetheiracquisitionstousofthepresentgeneration。Lastly，therearefewpartsofourdominionsthathavenotbeenaugmentedbythoseofushere，whoarestillmoreorlessinthevigouroflife；
whilethemothercountryhasbeenfurnishedbyuswitheverythingthatcanenablehertodependonherownresourceswhetherforwarorforpeace。Thatpartofourhistorywhichtellsofthemilitaryachievementswhichgaveusourseveralpossessions，orofthereadyvalourwithwhicheitherweorourfathersstemmedthetideofHellenicorforeignaggression，isathemetoofamiliartomyhearersformetodilateon，andIshallthereforepassitby。Butwhatwastheroadbywhichwereachedourposition，whattheformofgovernmentunderwhichourgreatnessgrew，whatthenationalhabitsoutofwhichitsprang；thesearequestionswhichImaytrytosolvebeforeIproceedtomypanegyricuponthesemen；sinceIthinkthistobeasubjectuponwhichonthepresentoccasionaspeakermayproperlydwell，andtowhichthewholeassemblage，whethercitizensorforeigners，maylistenwithadvantage。
"Ourconstitutiondoesnotcopythelawsofneighbouringstates；
weareratherapatterntoothersthanimitatorsourselves。Itsadministrationfavoursthemanyinsteadofthefew；thisiswhyitiscalledademocracy。Ifwelooktothelaws，theyaffordequaljusticetoallintheirprivatedifferences；ifnosocialstanding，advancementinpubliclifefallstoreputationforcapacity，classconsiderationsnotbeingallowedtointerferewithmerit；noragaindoespovertybartheway，ifamanisabletoservethestate，heisnothinderedbytheobscurityofhiscondition。Thefreedomwhichweenjoyinourgovernmentextendsalsotoourordinarylife。There，farfromexercisingajealoussurveillanceovereachother，wedonotfeelcalledupontobeangrywithourneighbourfordoingwhathelikes，oreventoindulgeinthoseinjuriouslookswhichcannotfailtobeoffensive，althoughtheyinflictnopositivepenalty。Butallthiseaseinourprivaterelationsdoesnotmakeuslawlessascitizens。Againstthisfearisourchiefsafeguard，teachingustoobeythemagistratesandthelaws，particularlysuchasregardtheprotectionoftheinjured，whethertheyareactuallyonthestatutebook，orbelongtothatcodewhich，althoughunwritten，yetcannotbebrokenwithoutacknowledgeddisgrace。
"Further，weprovideplentyofmeansforthemindtorefreshitselffrombusiness。Wecelebrategamesandsacrificesalltheyearround，andtheeleganceofourprivateestablishmentsformsadailysourceofpleasureandhelpstobanishthespleen；whilethemagnitudeofourcitydrawstheproduceoftheworldintoourharbour，sothattotheAthenianthefruitsofothercountriesareasfamiliaraluxuryasthoseofhisown。
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