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HISTORY OF GREECE.
BY
GEORGE GROTE, ESQ.
VOL. VI.
REPRINTED FROM THE LONDON EDITION
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
329 AND 331 PEARL STREET.
1879.
CONTENTS.
VOL. VI.
PART II.
CONTINUATION OF HISTORICAL GREECE.
CHAPTER XLVII.
FROM THE THIRTY YEARS’ TRUCE, FOURTEEN YEARS BEFORE THE
PELOPONNESIAN WAR, DOWN TO THE BLOCKADE OF POTIDÆA, IN THE YEAR
BEFORE THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR.
Personal activity now prevalent among the Athenian
citizens—empire of Athens again exclusively maritime, after
the Thirty years’ truce.—Chios, Samos, and Lesbos, were now
the only free allies of Athens, on the same footing as the
original confederates of Delos—the rest were subject and
tributary.—Athens took no pains to inspire her allies with the
idea of a common interest—nevertheless, the allies were gainers
by the continuance of her empire.—Conception of Periklês—Athens,
an imperial city, owing protection to the subject-allies;
who, on their part, owed obedience and tribute.—Large amount
of revenue laid by and accumulated by Athens, during the
years preceding the Peloponnesian war.—Pride felt by Athenian
citizens in the imperial power of their city.—Numerous Athenian
citizens planted out as kleruchs by Periklês.—Chersonesus
of Thrace. Sinôpê.—Active personal and commercial relations
between Athens and all parts of the Ægean.—Amphipolis in Thrace
founded by Athens.—Agnon is sent out as Œkist.—Situation
and importance of Amphipolis.—Foundation, by the Athenians,
of Thurii, on the southern coast of Italy.—Conduct of the
refugee inhabitants of the ruined Sybaris—their encroachments
in the foundation of Thurii: they are expelled, and Thurii
reconstituted.—Herodotus and Lysias—both domiciliated as
citizens at Thurii. Few Athenian citizens settled there as
colonists.—Period from 445-431 B.C. Athens at peace. Her
political condition. Rivalry of Periklês with Thucydidês son
of Melêsias.—Points of contention between the two parties: 1.
Peace with Persia. 2. Expenditure of money for the decoration of
Athens.—Defence of Periklês perfectly good against his political
rivals.—Pan-Hellenic schemes and sentiment of Periklês.—Bitter
contention of parties at Athens—vote of ostracism—Thucydidês
is ostracized about 443 B.C.—New works undertaken at Athens.
Third Long Wall. Docks in Peiræus—which is newly laid out
as a town, by the architect Hippodamus.—Odeon, Parthenon,
Propylæa. Other temples. Statues of Athênê.—Illustrious
artists and architects—Pheidias, Iktînus, Kallikratês.—Effect
of these creations of art and architecture upon the minds of
contemporaries.—Attempt of Periklês to convene a general congress
at Athens, of deputies from all the Grecian states.—Revolt of
Samos from the Athenians.—Athenian armament against Samos,
under Periklês, Sophoklês the tragedian, etc.—Doubtful and
prolonged contest—great power of Samos—it is at last reconquered,
disarmed, and dismantled.—None of the other allies of Athens,
except Byzantium, revolted at the same time.—Application of
the Samians to Sparta for aid against Athens—it is refused,
chiefly through the Corinthians.—Government of Samos after the
reconquest—doubtful whether the Athenians renewed the democracy
which they had recently established.—Funeral oration pronounced
by Periklês upon the Athenian citizens slain in the Samian
war.—Position of the Athenian empire—relation of Athens to her
subject allies—their feelings towards her generally were those
of indifference and acquiescence, not of hatred.—Particular
grievances complained of in the dealing of Athens with her
allies.—Annual tribute—changes made in its amount. Athenian
officers and inspectors throughout the empire.—Disputes and
offences in and among the subject-allies, were brought for
trial before the dikasteries at Athens. Productive of some
disadvantages, but of preponderance of advantage to the
subject-allies themselves.—Imperial Athens compared with imperial
Sparta.—Numerous Athenian citizens spread over the Ægean—the
allies had no redress against them, except through the Athenian
dikasteries.—The dikasteries afforded protection against
misconduct both of Athenian citizens and Athenian officers.—The
dikasteries, defective or not, were the same tribunals under
which every Athenian held his own security.—Athenian empire was
affected for the worse by the circumstances of the Peloponnesian
war: more violence was introduced into it by that war than had
prevailed before.—The subject-allies of Athens had few practical
grievances to complain of.—The Grecian world was now divided into
two great systems; with a right supposed to be vested in each,
of punishing its own refractory members.—Policy of Corinth, from
being pacific, becomes warlike.—Disputes arise between Corinth
and Korkyra—case of Epidamnus.—The Epidamnians apply for aid
in their distress to Korkyra; they are refused—the Corinthians
send aid to the place.—The Korkyræans attack Epidamnus—armament
sent thither by Corinth.—Remonstrance of the Korkyræans with
Corinth and the Peloponnesians.—Hostilities between Corinth and
Korkyra—naval victory of the latter.—Large preparations made
by Corinth for renewing the war.—Application of the Korkyræans
to be received among the allies of Athens.—Address of the
Korkyræan envoys to the Athenian public assembly. Principal
topics upon which it insists, as given in Thucydidês.—Envoys
from Corinth address the Athenian assembly in reply.—Decision
of the Athenians—a qualified compliance with the request of
Korkyra. The Athenian triremes sent to Korkyra.—Naval combat
between the Corinthians and Korkyræans: rude tactics on both
sides.—The Korkyræans are defeated.—Arrival of a reinforcement
from Athens—the Corinthian fleet retires, carrying off numerous
Korkyræan prisoners.—Hostilities not yet professedly begun
between Athens and Corinth.—Hatred conceived by the Corinthians
towards Athens.—They begin to stir up revolt among the Athenian
allies—Potidæa, colony of Corinth, but ally of Athens.—Relations
of Athens with Perdikkas king of Macedonia, his intrigues along
with Corinth against her—he induces the Chalkidians to revolt
from her—increase of Olynthus.—Revolt of Potidæa—armament
sent thither from Athens.—Combat near Potidæa, between the
Athenian force and the allied Corinthians. Potidæans, and
Chalkidians.—Victory of the Athenians.—Potidæa placed in blockade
by the Athenians. 1-75
CHAPTER XLVIII.
FROM THE BLOCKADE OF POTIDÆA DOWN TO THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR OF
THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR.
State of feeling in Greece between the Thirty years’ truce and
the Peloponnesian war—recognized probability of war—Athens
at that time not encroaching—decree interdicting trade with
the Megarians.—Zealous importunity of the Corinthians in
bringing about a general war, for the purpose of preserving
Potidæa.—Relations of Sparta with her allies—they had a
determining vote, whether they would or would not approve of a
course of policy which had been previously revived by Sparta
separately.—Assembly of the Spartans separately addressed
by envoys of the allied powers, complaining that Athens had
violated the truce.—The Corinthian envoys address the assembly
last, after the envoys of the other allies have inflamed it
against Athens.—International customs of the time, as bearing
upon the points in dispute between Athens and Corinth.—Athens
in the right.—Tenor of the Corinthian address—little allusion
to recent wrong—strong efforts to raise hatred and alarm
against Athens.—Remarkable picture drawn of Athens by her
enemies.—Reply made by an Athenian envoy, accidentally present
in Sparta.—His account of the empire of Athens—how it had been
acquired, and how it was maintained.—He adjures them not to
break the truce, but to adjust all differences by that pacific
appeal which the truce provided.—The Spartans exclude strangers,
and discuss the point among themselves in the assembly.—Most
Spartan speakers are in favor of war. King Archidamus opposes
war. His speech.—The speech of Archidamus is ineffectual.
Short, but warlike appeal of the Ephor Stheneläidas.—Vote of
the Spartan assembly in favor of war.—The Spartans send to
Delphi—obtain an encouraging reply.—General congress of allies
at Sparta. Second speech of the Corinthian envoys, enforcing
the necessity and propriety of war.—Vote of the majority of
the allies in favor of war, B.C. 432.—Views and motives of
the opposing powers.—The hopes and confidence, on the side of
Sparta; the fears, on the side of Athens. Heralds sent from
Sparta to Athens with complaints and requisitions meanwhile
the preparations for war go on.—Requisitions addressed by
Sparta to Athens—demand for the expulsion of the Alkmæonidæ
as impious—aimed at Periklês.—Position of Periklês at
Athens: bitter hostility of his political opponents: attacks
made upon him.—Prosecution of Aspasia. Her character and
accomplishments.—Family relations of Periklês—his connection
with Aspasia. License of the comic writers in their attacks upon
both.—Prosecution of Anaxagoras the philosopher as well as of
Aspasia—Anaxagoras retires from Athens—Periklês defends Aspasia
before the dikastery, and obtains her acquittal.—Prosecution
of the sculptor Pheidias for embezzlement—instituted by the
political opponents of Periklês.—Charge of peculation against
Periklês himself.—Probability that Periklês was never even tried
for peculation, certainly that he was never found guilty of
it.—Requisition from the Lacedæmonians, for the banishment of
Periklês—arrived when Periklês was thus pressed by his political
enemies—rejected.—Counter-requisition sent by the Athenians to
Sparta, for expiation of sacrilege.—Fresh requisitions sent from
Sparta to Athens—to withdraw the troops from Potidæa—to leave
Ægina free—to readmit the Megarians to Athenian harbors.—Final
and peremptory requisition of Sparta—public assembly held at
Athens on the whole subject of war and peace.—Great difference of
opinion in the assembly—important speech of Periklês.—Periklês
strenuously urges the Athenians not to yield.—His review of
the comparative forces, and probable chances of success or
defeat, in the war.—The assembly adopts the recommendation of
Periklês—firm and determined reply sent to Sparta.—Views of
Thucydidês respecting the grounds, feelings, and projects of the
two parties now about to embark in war.—Equivocal period—war
not yet proclaimed—first blow struck, not by Athens, but by
her enemies.—Open violation of the truce by the Thebans—they
surprise Platæa in the night.—The gates of Platæa are opened by
an oligarchical party within—a Theban detachment are admitted
into the agora at night—at first apparently successful,
afterwards overpowered and captured.—Large force intended to
arrive from Thebes to support the assailants early in the
morning—they are delayed by the rain and the swelling of the
Asôpus—they commence hostilities against the Platæan persons
and property without the walls.—Parley between the Platæans and
the Theban force without—the latter evacuate the territory—the
Theban prisoners in Platæa are slain.—Messages from Platæa to
Athens—answer.—Grecian feeling, already predisposed to the war,
was wound up to the highest pitch by the striking incident at
Platæa.—Preparations for war on the part of Athens—intimations
sent round to her allies—Akarnanians recently acquired by
Athens as allies—recent capture of the Amphilochian Argos by
the Athenian Phormio.—Strength and resources of Athens and her
allies—military and naval means—treasure.—Ample grounds for the
confidence expressed by Periklês in the result.—Position and
power of Sparta and the Peloponnesian allies—they are full of
hope and confidence of putting down Athens speedily.—Efforts
of Sparta to get up a naval force.—Muster of the combined
Peloponnesian force at the isthmus of Corinth, under Archidamus,
to invade Attica.—Last envoy sent to Athens—he is dismissed
without being allowed to enter the town.—March of Archidamus into
Attica—his fruitless siege of Œnoê.—Expectation of Archidamus
that Athens would yield at the last moment.—Difficulty of
Periklês in persuading the Athenians to abandon their territory
and see it all ravaged.—Attica deserted—the population flock
within the walls of Athens. Hardships, privations, and distress
endured.—March of Archidamus into Attica.—Archidamus advances
to Acharnæ, within seven miles of Athens.—Intense clamor within
the walls of Athens—eagerness to go forth and fight.—Trying
position, firmness, and sustained ascendency, of Periklês, in
dissuading them from going forth.—The Athenians remain within
their walls: partial skirmishes only, no general action.—Athenian
fleet is despatched to ravage the coasts of Peloponnesus—first
notice of the Spartan Brasidas—operations of the Athenians in
Akarnania, Kephallênia, etc.—The Athenians expel the Æginetans
from Ægina, and people the island with Athenian kleruchs. The
Æginetans settle at Thyrea in Peloponnesus.—The Athenians invade
and ravage the Megarid: sufferings of the Megarians.—Measures
taken by Athens for permanent defence.—Sum put by in the
acropolis, against urgent need, not to be touched unless under
certain defined dangers.—Capital punishment against any who
should propose otherwise.—Remarks on this decree.—Blockade
of Potidæa—Sitalkês king of the Odrysian Thracians—alliance
made between him and Athens.—Periklês is chosen orator to
deliver the funeral discourse over the citizens slain during
the year.—Funeral oration of Periklês.—Sketch of Athenian
political constitution, and social life, as conceived by
Periklês.—Eulogy upon Athens and the Athenian character.—Mutual
tolerance of diversity of tastes and pursuits in Athens.—It
is only true partially and in some memorable instances that
the state interfered to an exorbitant degree with individual
liberty in Greece.—Free play of individual taste and impulse in
Athens—importance of this phenomenon in society.—Extraordinary
and many-sided activity of Athens.—Peculiar and interesting
moment at which the discourse of Periklês was delivered. Athens
now at the maximum of her power—declining tendency commences soon
afterwards. 75-153
CHAPTER XLIX.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND YEAR DOWN TO THE END OF THE
THIRD YEAR OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR.
Barren results of the operations during the first year of
war.—Second invasion of Attica by the Peloponnesians—more
spreading and ruinous than the first.—Commencement of the
pestilence or epidemic at Athens.—Description of the epidemic by
Thucydidês—his conception of the duty of exactly observing and
recording.—Extensive and terrible suffering of Athens.—Inefficacy
of remedies—despair and demoralization of the Athenians.—Lawless
recklessness of conduct engendered.—Great loss of life among
the citizens—blow to the power of Athens.—Athenian armament
sent first against Peloponnesus, next, against Potidæa—it is
attacked and ruined by the epidemic.—Irritation of the Athenians
under their sufferings and losses—they become incensed against
Periklês—his unshaken firmness in defending himself.—Athenian
public assembly—last speech of Periklês—his high tone of
self-esteem against the public discontent. Powerful effect of his
address—new resolution shown for continuing the war—nevertheless,
the discontent against Periklês still continues. He is accused
and condemned in a fine.—Old age of Periklês—his family
misfortunes and suffering. He is reëlected stratêgus—restored
to power and to the confidence of the people.—Last moments
and death of Periklês. His life and character.—Judgment of
Thucydidês respecting Periklês.—Earlier and later political life
of Periklês—how far the one differed from the other.—Accusation
against Periklês of having corrupted the Athenian people—untrue,
and not believed by Thucydidês.—Great progress and improvement
of the Athenians under Periklês.—Periklês is not to blame
for the Peloponnesian war.—Operations of war languid, under
the pressure of the epidemic.—Attack of the Ambrakiots on
the Amphilochian Argos: the Athenian Phormio is sent with a
squadron to Naupaktus.—Injury done to Athenian commerce by
Peloponnesian privateers—The Lacedæmonians put to death all
their prisoners taken at sea, even neutrals.—Lacedæmonian
envoys seized in their way to Persia and put to death by
the Athenians.—Surrender of Potidæa—indulgent capitulation
granted by the Athenian generals.—Third year of the war—king
Archidamus marches to Platæa—no invasion of Attica.—Remonstrance
of the Platæans to Archidamus—his reply—he summons Platæa
in vain.—The Platæans resolve to stand out and defy the
Lacedæmonian force.—Invocation and excuse of Archidamus on
hearing the refusal of the Platæans.—Commencement of the siege
of Platæa.—Operations of attack and defence—the besiegers
make no progress, and are obliged to resort to blockade.—Wall
of circumvallation built round Platæa—the place completely
beleaguered and a force left to maintain the blockade.—Athenian
armament sent to Potidæa and Chalkidic Thrace—it is defeated and
returns.—Operations on the coast of Akarnania.—Joint attack upon
Akarnania, by land and sea, concerted between the Ambrakiots and
Peloponnesians.—Assemblage of the Ambrakiots, Peloponnesians,
and Epirotic allies—divisions of Epirots.—They march to attack
the Akarnanian town of Stratus.—Rashness of the Epirots—defeat
and repulse of the army.—The Peloponnesian fleet comes from
Corinth to Akarnania—movements of the Athenian Phormio to oppose
it.—Naval battle between Phormio and the Peloponnesian fleet—his
complete victory.—Reflections upon these two defeats of the
Peloponnesians.—Indignation of the Lacedæmonians at the late
naval defeat: they collect a larger fleet under Knêmus to act
against Phormio.—Inferior numbers of Phormio—his manœuvring.—The
Peloponnesian fleet forces Phormio to a battle on the line
of coast near Naupaktus. Dispositions and harangues on both
sides.—Battle near Naupaktus. The Peloponnesian fleet at first
successful, but afterwards defeated.—Retirement of the defeated
Peloponnesian fleet.—Phormio is reinforced—his operations in
Akarnania—he returns to Athens.—Attempt of Knêmus and Brasidas
to surprise Peiræus, starting from Corinth.—Alliance of the
Athenians with the Odrysian king Sitalkês.—Power of the Odrysians
in Thrace—their extensive dominion over the other Thracian
tribes.—Sitalkês, at the instigation of Athens, undertakes to
attack Perdikkas and the Chalkidians of Thrace.—His vast and
multifarious host of Thracians and other barbarians.—He invades
and ravages Macedonia and Chalkidikê.—He is forced to retire
by the severity of the season and want of Athenian coöperation.
153-221
CHAPTER L.
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH YEAR OF THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR
DOWN TO THE REVOLUTIONARY COMMOTIONS AT KORKYRA.
Fourth year of the war—internal suffering at Athens.—Renewed
invasion of Attica.—Revolt of Mitylênê and most part of Lesbos
from Athens.—Proceedings of Athens—powerful condition of
Mitylênê—Athenian fleet sent thither under Kleïppidês.—Kleïppidês
fails in surprising Mitylênê—carries on an imperfect blockade.—He
receives reinforcements, and presses the siege with greater
vigor—want of resolution on the part of the Mitylenæans.—The
Mitylenæan envoys address themselves to the Spartans at the
Olympic festival, entreating aid.—Tone and topics of their
address.—Practical grounds of complaint on the part of the
Mitylenæans against Athens few or none.—The Peloponnesians
promise assistance to Mitylênê—energetic demonstrations of the
Athenians.—Asôpius son of Phormio in Akarnania.—The accumulated
treasure of Athens exhausted by her efforts—necessity for her
to raise a direct contribution.—Outbreak of the Platæans from
their blockaded town.—Their plan of escape—its extraordinary
difficulty and danger. Half of the garrison of Platæa escapes to
Athens.—Blockade of Mitylênê closely carried on by the Athenian
general Pachês—the Mitylenæans are encouraged to hold out by
the Lacedæmonians, who send thither Salæthus.—Mitylênê holds
out till provisions are exhausted—Salæthus arms all the people
of Mitylênê for a general sally—the people refuse to join—the
city is surrendered to Athens, at discretion.—The Peloponnesian
fleet under Alkidas arrives off the coast of Ionia—astonishment
and alarm which its presence creates.—Pachês, after the
capture of Mitylênê, pursues the fleet of Alkidas, which
returns to Peloponnesus without having done anything.—Pachês
at Notium—he captures the place—his perfidy towards Hippias,
the leader of the garrison.—Notium recolonized from Athens
as a separate town.—Pachês sends to Athens about a thousand
Mitylenæan prisoners, the persons chiefly concerned in the
late revolt, together with Salæthus.—Important debate in the
Athenian assembly upon the treatment of the prisoners.—First
mention of Kleon by Thucydidês—new class of politicians to
which he belonged.—Eukratês, Kleon, Lysiklês, Hyperbolus,
etc.—Character of Kleon.—Indignation of the Athenians against
Mitylênê—proposition of Kleon to put to death the whole male
population of military age is carried and passed.—Repentance
of the Athenians after the decree is passed. A fresh assembly
is convened to reconsider the decree.—Account of the second
assembly given by Thucydidês—speech of Kleon in support of the
resolution already passed.—Remarks on the speech of Kleon.—Speech
of Diodotus in opposition to Kleon—second decree mitigating
the former. Rapid voyage of the trireme which carries the
second decree to Mitylênê—it arrives just in time to prevent
the execution of the first.—Those Mitylenæans whom Pachês had
sent to Athens are put to death—treatment of Mitylênê by the
Athenians.—Enormities committed by Pachês at Mitylênê—his
death before the Athenian dikastery.—Surrender of Platæa to
the Lacedæmonians.—The Platæan captive garrison are put upon
their trial before Lacedæmonian judges.—Speech of the Platæan
deputies to these judges on behalf of themselves and their
comrades.—Reply of the Thebans.—The Platæans are sentenced to
death by the Lacedæmonian judges, and all slain.—Reason of the
severity of the Lacedæmonians—cases of Platæa and Mitylênê
compared.—Circumstances of Korkyra—the Korkyræan captives are
sent back from Corinth, under agreement to effect a revolution in
the government and foreign politics of the island.—Their attempts
to bring about a revolution—they prosecute the democratical
leader Peithias—he prosecutes five of them in revenge—they
are found guilty.—They assassinate Peithias and several other
senators, and make themselves masters of the government—they
decree neutrality—their unavailing mission to Athens.—The
oligarchical party at Korkyra attack the people—obstinate battle
in the city—victory of the people—arrival of the Athenian admiral
Nikostratus.—Moderation of Nikostratus—proceedings of the people
towards the vanquished oligarchs.—Arrival of the Lacedæmonian
admiral Alkidas, with a fleet of fifty-three triremes. Renewed
terror and struggle in the island.—Naval battle off Korkyra
between Nikostratus and Alkidas.—Confusion and defenceless
state of Korkyra—Alkidas declines to attack it—arrival of the
Athenian fleet under Eurymedon—flight of Alkidas.—Vengeance
of the victorious Demos in Korkyra against the prostrate
oligarchs—fearful bloodshed.—Lawless and ferocious murders—base
connivance of Eurymedon.—Band of oligarchical fugitives escape to
the mainland—afterwards land again on the island and establish
themselves on Mount Istônê.—Political reflections introduced by
Thucydidês on occasion of the Korkyræan massacre.—The political
enormities of Korkyra were the worst that occurred in the whole
war.—How these enormities began and became exaggerated. Conduct
of the opposing parties.—Contrast between the bloody character
of revolutions at Korkyra and the mild character of analogous
phenomena at Athens.—Bad morality of the rich and great men
throughout the Grecian cities. 221-285
CHAPTER LI.
FROM THE TROUBLES IN KORKYRA, IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE
PELOPONNESIAN WAR, DOWN TO THE END OF THE SIXTH YEAR.
Capture of Minôa, opposite Megara, by the Athenians under
Nikias.—Nikias—his first introduction, position, and
character.—Varying circumstances and condition of the
oligarchical party at Athens.—Points of analogy between Nikias
and Periklês—material differences.—Care of Nikias in maintaining
his popularity and not giving offence; his very religious
character.—His diligence in increasing his fortune—speculations
in the mines of Laurium—letting out of slaves for hire.—Nikias
first opposed to Kleon—next to Alkibiadês.—Oligarchical
clubs, or Hetæries, at Athens, for political and judicial
purposes.—Kleon—his real function that of opposition—real
power inferior to Nikias.—Revival of the epidemic distemper
at Athens for another year—atmospheric and terrestrial
disturbances in Greece. Lacedæmonian invasion of Attica
suspended for this year.—Foundation of the colony of Herakleia
by the Lacedæmonians, near Thermopylæ—its numerous settlers,
great promise, and unprosperous career.—Athenian expedition
against Melos, under Nikias.—Proceedings of the Athenians under
Demosthenês in Akarnania.—Expedition of Demosthenês against
Ætolia—his large plans.—March of Demosthenês—impracticability
of the territory of Ætolia.—rudeness and bravery of the
inhabitants.—He is completely beaten and obliged to retire with
loss.—Attack of Ætolians and Peloponnesians under Eurylochus
upon Naupaktus.—Naupaktus is saved by Demosthenês and the
Akarnanians.—Eurylochus, repulsed from Naupaktus, concerts
with the Ambrakiots an attack on Argos.—Demosthenês and the
Athenians, as well as the Akarnanians, come to the protection
of Argos.—March of Eurylochus across Akarnania to join the
Ambrakiots.—Their united army is defeated by Demosthenês at
Olpæ—Eurylochus slain.—The surviving Spartan commander makes
a separate capitulation for himself and the Peloponnesians,
deserting the Ambrakiots.—The Ambrakiots sustain much loss in
their retreat.—Another large body of Ambrakiots, coming from the
city as a reinforcement, is intercepted by Demosthenês at Idomenê
and cut to pieces.—Despair of the Ambrakiot herald on seeing
the great number of slain.—Defenceless and feeble condition of
Ambrakia after this ruinous loss.—Attempt to calculate the loss
of the Ambrakiots.—Convention concluded between Ambrakia on one
side, and the Akarnanians and Amphilochians on the other.—Return
of Demosthenês in triumph to Athens.—Purification of Delos by the
Athenians. Revival of the Delian festival with peculiar splendor.
285-313
CHAPTER LII.
SEVENTH YEAR OF THE WAR.—CAPTURE OF SPHAKTERIA.
Seventh year of the war—invasion of Attica.—Distress in Korkyra
from the attack of the oligarchical exiles. A Peloponnesian fleet
and an Athenian fleet are both sent thither.—Demosthenês goes
on board the Athenian fleet with a separate command.—He fixes
upon Pylus in Laconia for the erection of a fort. Locality of
Pylus and Sphakteria.—Eurymedon the admiral of the fleet insists
upon going on to Korkyra, without stopping at Pylus. The fleet
are driven into Pylus by a storm.—Demosthenês fortifies the
place, through the voluntary zeal of the soldiers. He is left
there with a garrison while the fleet goes on to Korkyra.—Slow
march of the Lacedæmonians to recover Pylus.—Preparations of
Demosthenês to defend Pylus against them.—Proceedings of the
Lacedæmonian army—they send a detachment to occupy the island
of Sphakteria, opposite Pylus.—They attack the place by sea
and land—gallant conduct of Brasidas in the attack on the
sea-side.—Return of Eurymedon and the Athenian fleet to Pylus.—He
defeats the Lacedæmonian fleet in the harbor of Pylus.—The
Lacedæmonian detachment is blocked up by the Athenian fleet in
the island of Sphakteria—armistice concluded at Pylus.—Mission
of Lacedæmonian envoys to Athens, to propose peace and solicit
the release of their soldiers in Sphakteria.—The Athenians,
at the instance of Kleon, require the restoration of Nisæa,
Pegæ, Trœzen, and Achaia, as conditions of giving up the men
in Sphakteria and making peace.—The envoys will not consent to
these demands—Kleon prevents negotiation—they are sent back
to Pylus without any result.—Remarks on this assembly and on
the conduct of Athens.—The armistice is terminated, and war
resumed at Pylus. Eurymedon keeps possession of the Lacedæmonian
fleet.—Blockade of Sphakteria by the Athenian fleet—difficulty
and hardships to the sea men of the fleet.—Protracted duration
and seeming uncertainty of the blockade—Demosthenês sends to
Athens for reinforcements to attack the island.—Proceedings in
the Athenian assembly on receiving this news—proposition of
Kleon—manœuvre of his political enemies to send him against his
will as general to Pylus.—Reflections upon this proceeding and
upon the conduct of parties at Athens.—Kleon goes to Pylus with
a reinforcement—condition of the island of Sphakteria—numbers
and positions of the Lacedæmonians in it.—Kleon and Demosthenês
land their forces in the island, and attack it.—Numerous light
troops of Demosthenês employed against the Lacedæmonians in
Sphakteria.—Distress of the Lacedæmonians—their bravery and
long resistance. They retreat to their last redoubt at the
extremity of the island. They are surrounded and forced to
surrender.—Astonishment caused throughout Greece by the
surrender of Lacedæmonian hoplites—diminished lustre of Spartan
arms.—Judgment pronounced by Thucydidês himself—reflections
upon it.—Prejudice of Thucydidês in regard to Kleon. Kleon
displayed sound judgment and decision, and was one of the
essential causes of the success.—Effect produced at Athens
by the arrival of the Lacedæmonian prisoners.—The Athenians
prosecute the war with increased hopefulness and vigor.
The Lacedæmonians make new advances for peace without
effect.—Remarks upon the policy of Athens—her chance was now
universally believed to be most favorable in prosecuting the
war.—Fluctuations in Athenian feeling for or against the war:
there were two occasions on which Kleon contributed to influence
them towards it.—Expedition of Nikias against the Corinthian
territory.—He reëmbarks—ravages Epidaurus—establishes a post
on the peninsula of Methana.—Eurymedon with the Athenian fleet
goes to Korkyra. Defeat and captivity of the Korkyræan exiles in
the island.—The captives are put to death—cruelty and horrors
in the proceeding.—Capture of Anaktorium by the Athenians
and Akarnanians.—Proceedings of the Athenians at Chios and
Lesbos.—The Athenians capture Artaphernes, a Persian envoy, on
his way to Sparta.—Succession of Persian kings—Xerxes, Artaxerxes
Longimanus, etc., Darius Nothus. 313-363
CHAPTER LIII.
EIGHTH YEAR OF THE WAR.
Important operations of the eighth year of the war.—Capture
of Kythêra by the Athenians. Nikias ravages the Laconian
coast.—Capture of Thyrea—all the Æginetans resident there
are either slain in the attack or put to death afterwards as
prisoners.—Alarm and depression among the Lacedæmonians—their
insecurity in regard to the Helots.—They entrap, and cause to
be assassinated, two thousand of the bravest Helots.—Request
from the Chalkidians and Perdikkas that Spartan aid may be sent
to them under Brasidas.—Brasidas is ordered to go thither,
with Helot and Peloponnesian hoplites.—Elate and enterprising
dispositions prevalent at Athens. Plan formed against Megara.
Condition of Megara.—The Athenians, under Hippokratês and
Demosthenês, attempt to surprise Nisæa and Megara.—Conspirators
within open the gate, and admit them into the Megarian Long
Walls. They master the whole line of the Long Walls.—The
Athenians march to the gates of Megara—failure of the scheme
of the party within to open them.—The Athenians attack
Nisæa—the place surrenders to them.—Dissension of parties in
Megara—intervention of Brasidas.—Brasidas gets together an
army, and relieves Megara—no battle takes place—the Athenians
retire.—Revolution at Megara—return of the exiles from Pegæ,
under pledge of amnesty—they violate their oaths, and effect a
forcible oligarchical revolution.—Combined plan by Hippokratês
and Demosthenês for the invasion of Bœotia on three sides at
once.—Demosthenês, with an Akarnanian force, makes a descent
on Bœotia at Siphæ in the Corinthian gulf—his scheme fails and
he retires.—Disappointment of the Athenian plans—no internal
movements take place in Bœotia. Hippokratês marches with the
army from Athens to Delium in Bœotia.—Hippokratês fortifies
Delium, after which the army retires homeward.—Gathering
of the Bœotian military force at Tanagra. Pagondas, the
Theban bœotarch, determines them to fight.—Marshalling of
the Bœotian army—great depth of the Theban hoplites—special
Theban band of Three Hundred.—Order of battle of the Athenian
army.—Battle of Delium—vigorously contested—advantage derived
from the depth of the Theban phalanx.—Defeat and flight of
the Athenians—Hippokratês, with one thousand hoplites, is
slain.—Interchange of heralds—remonstrance of the Bœotians
against the Athenians for desecrating the temple of Delium—they
refuse permission to bury the slain except on condition of
quitting Delium.—Answer of the Athenian herald—he demands
permission to bury the bodies of the slain.—The Bœotians
persist in demanding the evacuation of Delium as a condition
for granting permission to bury the dead. Debate on the
subject. Remarks on the debate.—Siege and capture of Delium
by the Bœotians.—Sokratês and Alkibiadês, personally engaged
at Delium.—March of Brasidas through Thessaly to Thrace and
Macedonia. Rapidity and address with which he gets through
Thessaly.—Relations between Brasidas and Perdikkas—Brasidas
enters into an accommodation with Arrhibæus—Perdikkas is
offended.—Brasidas marches against Akanthus. State of parties
in the town.—He is admitted personally into the town to explain
his views—his speech before the Akanthian assembly.—Debate in
the Akanthian assembly, and decision of the majority voting
secretly to admit him, after much opposition.—Reflections upon
this proceeding—good political habits of the Akanthians.—Evidence
which this proceeding affords, that the body of citizens (among
the Athenian allies) did not hate Athens, and were not anxious
to revolt.—Brasidas establishes intelligences in Argilus. He
lays his plan for the surprise of Amphipolis.—Night-march of
Brasidas from Arnê, through Argilus to the river Strymon and
Amphipolis.—He becomes master of the lands round Amphipolis,
but is disappointed in gaining admission into the town.—He
offers to the citizens the most favorable terms of capitulation,
which they accept.—Amphipolis capitulates.—Thucydidês arrives
at Eion from Thasus with his squadron—not in time to preserve
Amphipolis—he preserves Eion.—Alarm and dismay produced at
Athens by the capture of Amphipolis—increased hopes among her
enemies.—Extraordinary personal glory, esteem, and influence
acquired by Brasidas.—Inaction and despondency of Athens after
the battle of Delium, especially in reference to arresting
the conquests of Brasidas in Thrace.—Loss of Amphipolis was
caused by the negligence of the Athenian commanders—Euklês,
and the historian Thucydidês.—The Athenians banish Thucydidês
on the proposition of Kleon.—Sentence of banishment passed on
Thucydidês by the Athenians—grounds of that sentence.—He justly
incurred their verdict of guilty.—Preparations of Brasidas
in Amphipolis for extended conquest—his operations against
the Aktê, or promontory of Athos.—He attacks Torônê in the
Sithonian peninsula—he is admitted into the town by an internal
party—surprises and takes it.—Some part of the population, with
the small Athenian garrison, retire to the separate citadel
called Lêkythus.—Conciliating address of Brasidas to the assembly
at Torônê.—He attacks Lêkythus and takes it by storm.—Personal
ability and conciliatory efficiency of Brasidas. 363-425
CHAPTER LIV.
TRUCE FOR ONE YEAR.—RENEWAL OF WAR AND BATTLE OF
AMPHIPOLIS.—PEACE OF NIKIAS.
Eighth year of the war—began with most favorable promise for
Athens—closed with great reverses to her.—Desire of Spartans to
make peace in order to regain the captives—they decline sending
reinforcements to Brasidas.—King Pleistoanax at Sparta—eager for
peace—his special reasons—his long banishment recently terminated
by recall.—Negotiations during the winter of 424-423 B.C. for
peace.—Truce for one year concluded, in March 423 B.C.—Conditions
of the truce.—Resolution to open negotiations for a definitive
treaty.—New events in Thrace—revolt of Skiônê from Athens to
Brasidas, two days after the truce was sworn.—Brasidas crosses
over to Skiônê—his judicious conduct—enthusiastic admiration
for him there.—Brasidas brings across reinforcements to
Skiônê—he conveys away the women and children into a place of
safety.—Commissioners from Sparta and Athens arrive in Thrace, to
announce to Brasidas the truce just concluded. Dispute respecting
Skiônê. The war continues in Thrace, but is suspended everywhere
else.—Revolt of Mendê from Athens—Brasidas receives the offers
of the Mendæans—engages to protect them and sends to them a
garrison against Athens. He departs upon an expedition against
Arrhibæus in the interior of Macedonia.—Nikias and Nikostratus
arrive with an Athenian armament in Pallênê. They attack Mendê.
The Lacedæmonian garrison under Polydamidas at first repulses
them.—Dissensions among the citizens of Mendê—mutiny of the Demos
against Polydamidas—the Athenians are admitted into the town.—The
Athenians besiege and blockade Skiônê. Nikias leaves a blockading
force there, and returns to Athens.—Expedition of Brasidas
along with Perdikkas into Macedonia against Arrhibæus.—Retreat
of Brasidas and Perdikkas before the Illyrians.—Address of
Brasidas to his soldiers before the retreat.—Contrast between
Grecian and barbaric military feeling.—Appeal of Brasidas to
the right of conquest or superior force.—The Illyrians attack
Brasidas in his retreat, but are repulsed.—Breach between
Brasidas and Perdikkas: the latter opens negotiations with the
Athenians.—Relations between Athens and the Peloponnesians—no
progress made towards definitive peace—Lacedæmonian reinforcement
on its way to Brasidas, prevented from passing through
Thessaly.—Incidents in Peloponnesus—the temple of Hêrê near Argos
accidentally burnt.—War in Arcadia—battle between Mantineia and
Tegea.—Bœotians at peace _de facto_, though not parties to the
truce.—Hard treatment of the Thespians by Thebes.—Expiration of
the truce for one year. Disposition of both Sparta and Athens
at that time towards peace; but peace impossible in consequence
of the relations of parties in Thrace.—No actual resumption
of hostilities, although the truce had expired, from the
month of March to the Pythian festival in August.—Alteration
in the language of statesmen at Athens—instances of Kleon
and his partisans to obtain a vigorous prosecution of the
war in Thrace.—Brasidas—an opponent of peace—his views and
motives.—Kleon—an opponent of peace—his views and motives
as stated by Thucydidês. Kleon had no personal interest in
war.—To prosecute the war vigorously in Thrace was at this
time the real political interest of Athens.—Question of peace
or war, as it stood between Nikias and Kleon, in March 422
B.C., after the expiration of the truce for one year.—Kleon’s
advocacy of war at this moment perfectly defensible—unjust
account of his motive given by Thucydidês.—Kleon at this time
adhered more closely than any other Athenian public man to the
foreign policy of Periklês.—Dispositions of Nikias and the
peace-party in reference to the reconquest of Amphipolis.—Kleon
conducts an expedition against Amphipolis—he takes Torônê.—He
arrives at Eion—sends envoys to invite Macedonian and Thracian
auxiliaries.—Dissatisfaction of his own troops with his
inaction while waiting for these auxiliaries.—He is forced
by these murmurs to make a demonstration—he marches from
Eion along the walls of Amphipolis to reconnoitre the top
of the hill—apparent quiescence in Amphipolis.—Brasidas, at
first on Mount Kerdylium—presently moves into the town across
the bridge.—His exhortation to his soldiers.—Kleon tries to
effect his retreat.—Brasidas sallies out upon the army in
its retreat—the Athenians are completely routed—Brasidas and
Kleon both slain.—Profound sorrow in Thrace for the death of
Brasidas—funeral honors paid him in Amphipolis.—The Athenian
armament, much diminished by its loss in the battle, returns
home.—Remarks on the battle of Amphipolis—wherein consisted
the faults of Kleon.—Disgraceful conduct of the Athenian
hoplites—the defeat of Amphipolis arose partly from political
feeling hostile to Kleon.—Important effect of the death of
Brasidas, in reference to the prospects of the war—his admirable
character and efficiency.—Feelings of Thucydidês towards Brasidas
and Kleon.—Character of Kleon—his foreign policy. Internal
policy of Kleon as a citizen in constitutional life.—Picture
in the Knights of Aristophanês.—Unfairness of judging Kleon
upon such evidence.—Picture of Sokratês by Aristophanês is
noway resembling.—The vices imputed by Aristophanês to Kleon
are not reconcilable one with the other.—Kleon—a man of strong
and bitter opposition talents—frequent in accusation—often on
behalf of poor men suffering wrong.—Necessity for voluntary
accusers at Athens—general danger and obloquy attending the
function.—We have no evidence to decide in what proportion of
cases he accused wrongfully.—Private dispute between Kleon
and Aristophanês.—Negotiations for peace during the winter
following the battle of Amphipolis.—Peace called the Peace of
Nikias—concluded in March 421 B.C.—Conditions of peace.—The peace
is only partially accepted by the allies of Sparta.—The Bœotians,
Megarians, and Corinthians, all repudiate it. 426-494
HISTORY OF GREECE.
PART II.
CONTINUATION OF HISTORICAL GREECE.