Byzantium is one of those cities of the world that are so admirably
placed with regard to natural advantages, that posterity can never too
much admire the policy and discernment of their founders. When we say
that the Constantinople with which science and late events have made
Englishmen so familiar, is the offspring of Byzantium, if not the city
itself, we have no cause to dilate further on that head.
The first memorable siege of Byzantium was undertaken by Alcibiades,
when the fickle and ungrateful Athenians had recalled him to the
head of their armies. His triumphs were as rapid as his wishes: he
prevailed in the Peloponnesus, subdued the revolting cities, and
laid siege to Byzantium. Alcibiades is another of the commanders we
can scarcely fancy at a siege: an eager, sanguine, impetuous man,
with ambitious views boiling in his brain, is not at home in such
enterprises, whatever may be his talents. Tired of the length of the
siege, and despairing of taking Byzantium by force, he had recourse to
stratagem. He gave it out that the Athenians recalled him, embarked
his army, and set sail. During the night he returned, landed a great
part of his soldiers at a distance from the city, and himself appeared,
in a menacing position, with his fleet, before the port of Byzantium.
The Byzantines rushed to the shore to drive off the fleet, which
Alcibiades, by his manœuvres, made them believe was their most imminent
danger. In the mean time, the troops landed during the night drew near
the walls on the other side, and took possession of the city before the
inhabitants were aware even of their approach.