which is the greatest towne in all Attica of those that are called Demoi and pitching there both fortified their Campe and staid a great while wasting the Countrey thereabout Archidamus was said to haue staid so long at Acharnas with his Armie in Battell array and not to haue come downe all the time of his invasion into the Champaigne with this intention Hee hoped that the Athenians flourishing in number of young men and better furnished for Warre then euer they were before would perhaps haue come forth against him and not endured to see their fields cut downe and wasted and therefore seeing they met him not in Thriasia hee thought good to try if they would come out against him lying now at Acharnas Besides the place seemed vnto him commodious for the Army to lye in and it was thought also that the Acharnans beeing a great piece of the Citie for they were 3000. men of Armes would not haue suffered the spoiling of their Lands but rather haue vrged all the rest to goe out and fight And if they came not out against him at this inuasion they might hereafter more boldly both waste the Champaigne Countrey and come downe euen to the Walles of the Citie For the Acharnans after they should haue lost their owne would not bee so forward to hazard themselues for the goods of other men But there would bee thoughts of Sedition in one towards another in the Citie These were the cogitations of Archidamus whilest he lay at Acharnas The Athenians as long as the Armie of the Enemie lay about Eleusis and the Fields of Thrius and as long as they had any hope it would come on no further remembring that also Plistoanax the sonne of Pausanias King of Lacedaemon when 14. yeeres before this Warre hee entred Attica with an Armie of the Peloponnesians as farre as Eleusis and Thriasia retired againe and came no further for which hee was also banished Sparta as thought to haue gone backe for money they stirred not But when they saw the Army now at Acharnas but 60. Furlongs from the Citie then they thought it no longer to bee endured and when their Fields were wasted as it was likely in their sight which the yonger sort had neuer seene before nor the elder but in the Persian Warre it was taken for a horrible matter and thought fit by all especially by the youth to goe out and not to endure it any longer And holding Councels apart one from another they were at much contention some to make a sally and some to hinder it And the Priests of the Oracles giuing out Prophecies of all kindes euery one made the interpretation according to the sway of his owne affection But the Acharnans conceiuing themselues to bee no small part of the Athenians were they that whilest their owne Lands were wasting most of all vrged their going out Insomuch as the Citie was euery way in tumult and in choler against Pericles remembring nothing of what hee had formerly admonished them but reuiled him for that being their Generall hee refused to leade them into the Field and imputing vnto him the cause of all their euill but Pericles seeing them in passion for their present losse and ill aduised and being confident hee was in the right touching not sallying assembled them not nor called any Councell for feare lest being together they might vpon passion rather then iudgement commit some error But looked to the guarding of the Citie and as much as hee could to keepe it in quiet Neuerthelesse he continually sent out Horse-men to keepe the Scowts of the Armie from entring vpon and doing hurt to the Fields neere the Citie And there happened at Phrygij a small Skirmish between one troope of Horse of the Athenians with whom were also the Thessalians and the Horsemen of the Boeotians wherein the Athenians and Thessalians had not the worse till such time as the Boeotians were ayded by the comming in of their men of Armes and then they were put to flight and a few of the Athenians and Thessalians slaine whose bodies notwithstanding they fetcht off the same day without leaue of the Enemie and the Peloponnesians the next day erected a Trophie This ayde of the Thessalians was vpon an ancient League with the Athenians and consisted of Larissaeans Pharsalians Parasians Cranonians Peirasians Gyrtonians Pheraeans The Leaders of the Larissaeans were Polymedes and Aristonus men of contrary factions in their Citie Of the Pharsalians Meno And of the rest out of the seuerall Cities seuerall Commanders The Peloponnesians seeing the Athenians would not come out to fight dislodging from Acharnas wasted certaine other Villages betweene the Hils Parnethus and Brelissus Whilest these were in Attica the Athenians sent the hundred Gallies which they had prouided and in them 1000. men of Armes and 400. Archers about Peloponnesus the Commanders whereof were Charcinus the sonne of Xenotimus Proteus the sonne of Epicles and Socrates the sonne of Antigenes who thus furnished weighed Anchor and went their way The Peloponnesians when they had stayd in Attica as long as their prouision lasted went home through Boeotia not the way they came in but passing by Oropus wasted the Countrey called Peiraice which is of the tillage of the Oropians Subiects to the People of Athens and when they were come backe into Peloponnesus they disbanded and went euery man to his owne Citie When they were gone the Athenians ordained Watches both by Sea and Land such as were to continue to the end of the Warre And made a Decree to take out a thousand Talents of the money in the Cittadell and set it by so as it might not bee spent but the charges of the Warre bee borne out of other monies and made it capitall for any man to moue or giue his vote for the stirring of this money for any other vse but onely if the Enemie should come with an Armie by Sea to inuade the Citie for necessity of that defence Together with this money they likewise set apart 100. Gallies and those to be euery yeere the best and Captaines to be appointed ouer them which were to bee employed for no other vse then the money was and for the same danger if need should require The Athenians that were with the 100. Gallies about Peloponnesus and with them the Corcyraeans with the ayde of 50. Sayle more and certaine others of the Confederates thereabout amongst other places which they infested in their course landed at Methone a Towne of Laconia and assaulted it as being but weake and few men within But it chanced that Brasidas the sonne of Tellis a Spartan had a Garrison in those parts and hearing of it succoured those of the Towne with 100. men of Armes wherewith running through the Athenian Army dispersed in the Fields directly towards the Towne hee put himselfe into Methone and with the losse of few of his men in the passage hee saued the place and
purpose to put into their hands The Lacedaemonians after their returne from Argos with their foure moneths Truce seuerely questioned Agis for that vpon so faire an opportunity as they neuer had before he subdued not Argos to the State for so many and so good Confederates would hardly be gotten together againe at one time But when also the newes came of the taking of Orchomenus then was their indignation much greater and they presently resolued contrary to their owne custome in their passion to raze his house and fine him in the summe of 10000 Drachmaes But he besought them that they would doe neither of these things yet and promised that leading out the Armie againe he would by some valiant action cancell those accusations or if not they might proceed afterwards to doe with him whatsoeuer they thought good So they forbore both the Fine and the razing of his house but made a decree for that present such as had neuer beene before that tenne Spartans should bee elected and ioyned with him as Councellours without whom it should not be lawfull for him to leade the Army into the field In the meane time came newes from their side in Tegea that vnlesse they came presently with aide the Tegeans would reuolt to the Argiues and their Confederates and that they wanted little of being reuolted already Vpon this the Lacedaemonians with speed leuyed all their forces both of themselues and their Helotes in such number as they had neuer done before and marched vnto Orestium in Maenalia and appointed the Arcadians such as were of their League to assemble and follow them at the heeles to Tegea The Lacedaemonians being come entire to Orestium from thence sent backe the sixt part of their Armie in which they put both the yongest and the eldest sort for the custody of the Citie and with the rest marched on to Tegea and not long after arriued also their Confederates of Arcadia They sent also to Corinth and to the Boeotians Phoceans and Locrians to come with their aydes with all speed to Mantinea But these had too short a warning nor was it easie for them vnlesse they came altogether and stayed for one another to come through the enemies Countrey which lay betweene and barred them of passage Neuerthelesse they made what hast they could And the Lacedaenians taking with them their Arcadian Confederates present entred into the Territory of Mantinea and pitching their Camp by the Temple of Hercules wasted the Territory about The Argiues and their Confederates as soone as they came in sight seazed on a certaine place fortified by nature and of hard accesse and put themselues into battell array And the Lacedaemonians marched presently towards them and came vp within a stone or a darts cast But then one of the ancient men of the Army cryed out vnto Agis seeing him to goe on against a place of that strength that he went about to amend one fault with another signifying that he intended to make amends for his former retreat from Argos which hee was questioned for with his now vnseasonable forwardnesse But he whether it were vpon that increpation or some other suddaine apprehension of his owne presently withdrew his Army before the fight began and marching vnto the Territory of Tegea turned the course of the water into the Territory of Mantinea touching which water because into what part soeuer it had his course it did much harme to the Countrey the Mantineans and Tegeates were at Warres Now his drift was by the turning of that water to prouoke those Argiues and their Confederates which kept the hill when they should heare of it to come down and oppose them that so they might fight with them in the Plaine And by that time he had stayed about the water a day he had diuerted the streame The Argiues their Confederates were at first amazed at this their sudden retreat from so neere them and knew not what to make of it But when after the retreat they returned no more in sight and that they themselues lying still on the place did not pursue them then began they anew to accuse their CoÌ„manders both for suffering the Lacedaemonians to depart formerly when they had them inclosed at so faire an aduantage before Argos and now againe for not pursuing them when they ran away but giuing them leaue to saue themselues betraying the Army The Commanders for the preseÌ„t were much troubled hereat but afterwards they drew downe the Armie from the Hill and comming forth into the Plaine encamped as to goe against the enemie The next day the Argiues and their Confederates put themselues into such order as if occasion serued they meant to fight in the Lacedaemonians returning froÌ„ the water to the temple of Hercules the same place where they had formerly encamped perceiue the enemies to be all of theÌ„ in order of battell hard by them come downe already from the hill Certainely the Lacedaemonians were more affrighted at this time then euer they had beene to their remembrance before For the time they had to prepare themselues was exceeding short and such was their diligence that euery man fell immediately into his owne Ranke Agis the King commanding all according to the Law For whilest the King hath the Army in the field all things are commanded by him and he signifieth what is to be done to the Polemarchi they to the Lochagi these to the Pentecontateres and these againe to the Enomatarchi who lastly make it knowne euery one to his owne Enomatia In this manner when they would haue any thing to be done their commands passe through the Army and are quickly executed For almost all the Lacedaemonian Army saue a very few are Captaines of Captaines and the care of what is to be put in execution lyeth vpon many Now their left Wing consisted of the Sciritae which amongst ahe Lacedaemonians haue euer alone that place Next to these were placed the Brasidian Souldiers lately come out of Thraâ—e and with them those that had been newly made free After them in order the rest of the Lacedaemonians Band after Band and by them Arcadians first the Heraeans after these the Maenalians In the right Wing were the Tegeates and a few Lacedaemonians in the point of the same Wing And vpon the out side of either Wing the horsemen So stood the Lacedaemonians Opposite to them in the right Wing stood the Mantineans because it was vpon their owne Territory and with them such Arcadians as were of their League Then the 1000 chosen Argiues which the City had for a long time caused to be trayned for the Warres at the publique charge and next to them the rest of the Argiues After these the Cleonaeans and Orneates their Confederaes And lastly the Athenians with the Horsemen which were also theirs had the left Wing This was the order and preparation of both the Armies The Army of the
hath already done but strike him first for his euill purpose For if a man strike not first he shall first be strucken And as for the Few I shall in somewhat reprooue them in somewhat haue an eye to them and in somewhat aduise them For this I thinke will be the best course to auert them from their bad intentions Tell me forsooth I haue asked this question often you that are the yonger sort what would you haue would you now beare office the Law allowes it not And the Law was made because ye are not now sufficient for gouernment not to disgrace you when you shall be sufficient But forsooth you would not be ranked with the multitude But what Iustice is it that the same men should not haue the same priuiledges Some will say that the Democracy is neither a well-gouerned nor a iust State and that the most wealthy are aptest to make the best gouernment But I answer first Democracy is a name of the whole Oligarchy but of a part Next though the Rich are indeed fittest to keepe the Treasure yet the wise are the best Counsellors and the Multitude vpon hearing the best Iudge Now in a Democracy all these both ioyntly and seuerally participate equall priuiledges But in the Oligarchy they allow indeed to the Multitude a participation of all dangers but in matters of profit they not onely incroach vpon the Multitude but take from them and keepe the whole Which is the thing that you the Rich and the Yonger sort affect but in a great City cannot possibly embrace But yet O ye the most vnwise of all men vnlesse you know that what you affect is euill and if you know not that you are the most ignorant of all the Grecians I know or ye most wicked of all men if knowing it you dare doe this yet I say informe your selues better or change your purpose and help to amplifie the common good of the Citie making account that the good amongst you shall not onely haue an equall but a greater share therin then the rest of the multitude Whereas if you will needes haue all you shall runne the hazzard of losing all Away therefore with these rumours as discouered and not allowed For this City though the Athenians come will be able to defend it selfe with honour And we haue Generals to looke to that matter And if they come not which I rather beleeue it will not vpon the terrour of your reports make choyce of you for Commanders and cast it selfe into voluntary seruitude But taking direction of it selfe it both iudgeth your words virtually as facts and will not vpon words let goe her present liberty but endeuour to preserue it by not committing the same actually to your discretion Thus said Athenagoras Then one of their Generals rising vp forbad any other to stand forth and spake himselfe to the matter in hand to this effect It is no wisedome neither for the speakers to vtter such calumnies one against another nor for the hearers to receiue them We should rather consider in respect of these reports how we may in the best manner both euery one in particular and the City in generall be prepared to resist them when they come And if there be no need yet to furnish the Citie with Horses and Armes and other Habiliments of War can doe vs no hurt As for the care hereof and the musters wee will looke to it and will send men abroad both to the Cities and for spials and doe whatsoeuer else is requisite Somewhat we haue done already and what more we shall hereafter find meet we will from time to time report vnto you Which when the Generall had said the Syracusians dissolued the Assembly The Athenians were now all in Corcyra both they and their Confederates And first the Generals tooke a view of the whole Army and put them into the order wherein they were to Anchor and make their Nauall Campe and hauing diuided them into three squadrons to each squadron they assigned a Captaine by lot to the end that being at Sea they might not come into want of water or harbors or any other necessaries where they chanced to stay that they might otherwise be the more easie to be gouerned when euery squadron had his proper Commander After this they sent before them three Gallies into Italy and Sicily to bring them word what Cities in those parts would receiue them whom they appointed to come backe and meet them that they might know whether they might be receiued or not before they put in This done the Athenians with all their prouisions put out from Corcyra towards Sicily hauing with them in all 134 Gallies and two Rhodian Long-boats of fifty Oares a piece Of these a hundred were of Athens it selfe whereof sixty were expedite the other forty for transportation of Souldiers The rest of the Nauy belonged to the Chians and other the Confederates Of men of Armes they had in all 5100. Of these there were of the Athenians themselues 1500 enrolled and 700 more of the poorer sort called Thetes hired for defence of the Gallies The rest were of their Confederates some of them being their subiects Of Argiues there were 500. Of Mantineans and Mercinaries 2â—0 Their Archers in all 480. Of which 80 were Cretans Rhodian Slingers they had 700. Of Light-armed Megarean fugitiues 120 and in one vessell made for transportation of horses 30 horsemen These were the forces that went ouer to the Warre at first With these went also 30 Ships carrying necessaries wherein went also the Bakers and Masons and Carpenters and all Tooles of vse in fortification And with these 30 Ships went 100 Boates by constraint and many other Ships and Boats that voluntarily followed the Army for Trade which then passed altogether from Corcyra ouer the Ionian Gulfe And the whole Fleet being come to the Promontory of Iapygia and to Tarentum and such other places as euery one could recouer they went on by the coast of Italy neither receaued of the States there into any Citie nor allowed any Market hauing onely the liberty of Anchorage and water and that also at Tarentum and Locri denied them till they were at Rhegium where they all came together againe and settled their Campe in the Temple of Diana for neither there were they suffered to come in without the Citie where the Rhegians allowed them a Market And when they had drawne their Gallies to Land they lay still Being here they dealt with the Rhegians who where Chalcideans to aid the Leontines Chalcideans likewise To which was answered that they would take part with neither but what the rest of the Italians should conclude that also they would doe So the Athenians lay still meditating on their Sicilian businesse how they might carry it the best and withall expected the returne from Egesta of the three Gallies which they had sent before them desiring to know if so much money were there or not as was
last was it that most euidently encouraged them and therevpon they euery one contended who should most eminently become the Patron of the People But those of the Foure-hundred that were most opposite to such a forme of Gouernment and the principall of them both Phrynichus who had beene Generall at Samos and was euer since at difference with Alcibiades and Aristarchus a man that had beene an aduersary to the People both in the greatest manner and for the longest time and Pisander and Antiphon and others of the greatest power not onely formerly as soone as they entred into authority and afterward when the State at Samos reuolted to the People sent Ambassadours to Lacedaemon and bestirred themselues for the Oligarchy and built a wal in the place called Eetioneia but much more afterwards when their Ambassadours were come from Samos and that they saw not onely the Populars but also some others of their own party thought trusty before to bee now changed And to Lacedaemon they sent Antiphon and Phrynichus with tenne others with all possible speed as fearing their aduersaries both at home and at Samos with Commission to make a Peace with the Lacedaemonians on any tolerable conditions whatsoeuer or howsoeuer and in this time went on with the building of the Wall in Eeteoneia with greater diligence then before The scope they had in this Wall as it was giuen out by Theramenes the sonne of Agnon was not so much to keepe out those of Samos in case they should attempt by force to enter into Piraeus as at their pleasure to be able to let in both the Gallies and the Land-forces of the Enemies For this Eetionea is the Peere of the Piraeus close vnto which is the mouth of the Hauen and therefore they built this Wall so to another Wall that was built before to the Continent that a few men lying within it might command the entrance For the end of each Wall was brought to the Tower vpon the very mouth of the Hauen as well of the old Wall towards the Continent as of the new which was built within it to the water They built also an open ground-gallery an exceeding great one and close to their new Wall within Piraeus and were Masters of it and constrained all men as well to bring thither their corne which they had already come in as to vnload there whatsoeuer should come in afterward and to take sell it from thence These things Theramenes murmured at long before and when the Ambassadours returned from Lacedaemon without compounding for them all in generall he gaue out that this Wall would endanger the vndoing of the Citie For at this very instant there hapned to be riding on the Coast of Laconia 42 Gallies amongst which were some of Tarentum some of Locri some Italians and some Sicilians set out from Peloponnesus at the instance of the Euboeans bound for Euboea and commanded by Hegesandridas the sonne of Hegesander a Spartan And these Theramenes said were comming not so much towards Euboea as towards those that fortified in Eetioneia and that if they were not looked to they would surprize the City Now some matter might indeed be gathered also from those that were accused so that it was not a meere slander For their principall designe was to retaine the Oligarchy with dominion ouer their Confederates but if they failed of that yet being masters of the Gallies and of the fortification to haue subsisted free themselues If barred of that then rather then to bee the onely men to suffer death vnder the restored Democracie to let in the Enemy and without either Nauy or Fortification to haue let what would haue become of the City and to haue compounded for the safety of their owne persons Therefore they went diligently on with the Fortification wherein were Wickets and Entries and backe-wayes for the Enemy and desired to haue it finished in time And though these things were spoken but amongst a few before and in secret yet when Phrynichus after his returne from his Lacedaemonian Ambassage was by a certaine Watchman wounded trecherously in the Market-place when it was full as he went from the Councell-house and not farre from it fell instantly dead and the murtherer gone and that one of his Complices an Argiue taken by the Foure-hundred and put to the torture would confesse no man of those named to him nor any thing else sauing this that many men vsed to assemble at the house of the Captaine of the Watch and at other houses then at length because this accident bred no alteration Theramenes and Aristocrates and as many other either of the 400 or out of that number as were of the same faction proceeded more boldly to assault the Gouernment For now also the Fleet being come about from Laconia and lying vpon the Coast of Epidaurus had made incursions vpon Aegina And Theramenes thereupon alledged that it was improbable that those Gallies holding their course for Euboea would haue put in at Aegina and then haue gone backe againe to lye at Epidaurus vnlesse they had beene sent for by such men as he had euer accused of the same and that therefore there was no reason any longer to sit still And in the end after many seditious and suspitious speeches they fell vpon the State in good earnest For the Souldiers that were in Piraeus employed in fortifying Eetioneia amongst whom was also Aristocrates Captaine of a Band of men and his Band with him seazed on Alexicles principall Commander of the Souldiers vnder the Foure-hundred an eminent man of the other side and carrying him into a house kept him in hold As soone as the newes heereof was brought vnto the Foure-hundred who chanced at the same time to be sitting in the Councel-house they were ready al of them presently to haue taken Armes threatning Theramenes and his Faction He to purge himselfe was ready to goe with them and to helpe to rescue Alexicles and taking with him one of the Commanders who was also of his Faction went downe into Piraeus To helpe him went also Aristarchus and certaine Horse-men of the yonger sort Great and terrible was the tumult For in the Citie they thouhht Piraeus was already taken and him that was laid in hold slaine And in Piraeus they expected euery houre the power of the City to come vpon them At last the ancient men stopping them that ranne vp and downe the City to arme themselues and Thucydides of Pharsalus the Cities Host being then there going boldly and close vp to euery one he met and crying out vnto them not to destroy their Countrey when the Enemy lay so neere waiting for an aduantage with much adoe quieted them and held their hands from spilling their owne blood Theramenes comming into Piraeus for he also had command ouer the Souldiers made a shew by his exclaiming of beeing angry with them but Aristarchus and those that were of the contrary side were extremely
Action with their Forces ioyned And to that Expedition they came together by the meanes of Navigation which the most part of Greece had now receiued For Minos was the most ancient of all that by report we know to haue built a Nauy and he made himselfe Master of the now Grecian Sea and both commanded the Iles called Cyclades and also was the first that sent Colonies into most of the same expelling thence the Carians and constituting his owne Sonnes there for Gouernours and also freed the Seas of Pirates as much as hee could for the better comming in as is likely of his owne Reuenue For the Grecians in old time and such Barbarians as in the Continent liued neere vnto the Sea or else inhabited the Ilands after once they beganne to crosse ouer one to another in Ships became Theeues and went abroad vnder the conduct of their most puissant men both to enrich themselues and to fetch in maintenance for the weake and falling vpon Towns vnfortified and scatteringly inhabited rifled them and made this the best meanes of their liuing Being a matter at that time no where in disgrace but rather carrying with it something of glory This is manifest by some that dwell on the Continent amongst whom so it be performed Nobly it is still esteemed as an Ornament The same also is prooued by some of the ancient Poets who introduce men questioning of such as saile by on all Coasts alike whether they bee Theeues or not as a thing neyther scorned by such as were asked nor vpbraided by those that were desirous to know They also robbed one another within the maine Land And much of Greece vseth that old custome as the Locrians called Ozolae the Acarnanians and those of the Continent in that quarter vnto this day Moreouer the fashion of wearing Iron remaineth yet with the people of that Continent from their old Trade of Theeuing For once they were wont throughout all Greece to goe armed because their Houses were vnfenced and travailing was vnsafe and accustomed themselues like the Barbarians to the ordinary wearing of their Armour And the Nations of Greece that liue so yet doe testifie that the same manner of life was anciently vniversall to all the rest Amongst whom the Athenians were the first that laid by their Armour and growing ciuill passed into a more tender kinde of life And such of the Rich as were any thing stepped into yeeres layd away vpon the same delicacie not long after the fashion of wearing linnen Coates and golden Grashoppers which they were wont to binde vp in the lockes of their haire from whence also the same Fashion by reason of their affinity remained a long time in vse amongst the ancient Ionians But the moderate kind of Garment and conformable to the wearing of these times was first taken vp by the Lacedaemonians amongst whom also both in other things and especially in the culture of their bodies the Nobility obserued the most equality with the Commons The same were also the first that when they were to contend in the Olympicke Games stript themselues naked and anoynted their bodies with oyntment whereas in ancient times the Champions did also in the Olympicke Games vse Breeches nor is it many yeeres since this custome ceased Also there are to this day amongst the Barbarians especially those of Asia Prizes propounded of fighting with Fists and of Wrestling and the Combattants about their priuie parts weare Breeches in the Exercise It may likewise by many other things bee demonstrated that the old Greekes vsed the same forme of life that is now in force amongst the Barbarians of the present Age. As for Cities such as are of late Foundation and since the increase of Navigation in as much as they haue had since more plenty of riches haue beene walled about and built vpon the Shore and haue taken vp Isthmi that is to say neckes of Land between Sea and Sea both for Merchandise and for the better strength against Confiners But the old Cities men hauing beene in those times for the most part infested by Theeues are built farther vp as well in the Ilands as in the Continent For others also that dwelt on the Sea side though not Sea-men yet they molested one another with Robberies and euen to these times those people are planted vp high in the Countrey But these Robberies were the exercise especially of the Ilanders namely the Carians and the Phoenicians for by them were the greatest part of the Ilands inhabited A testimony whereof is this The Athenians when in this present Warre they hallowed the I le of Delos and had digged vp the Sepulchers of the Dead found that more then halfe of them were Carians knowne so to bee both by the armour buried with them and also by their manner of buriall at this day And when Minos his Nauy was once afloat Nauigators had the Sea more free For hee expelled the Malefactors out of the Ilands and in the most of them planted Colonies of his owne By which means they who inhabited the Sea-coasts becomming more addicted to Riches grew more constant to their dwellings of whom some growne now rich compassed their Townes about with Walls For out of desire of gaine the meaner sort vnderwent servitude with the mighty and the mighty with their wealth brought the lesser Cities into subiection And so it came to passe that rising to power they proceeded afterward to the Warre against Troy And to mee it seemeth that Agamemnon got together that Fleet not so much for that hee had with him the Suters of Helena bound thereto by oath to Tyndareus as for this that hee exceeded the rest in power For they that by tradition of their Ancestours know the most certainety of the Acts of the Peloponnesians say That first Pelops by the abundance of wealth which he brought with him out of Asia to men in want obtained such power amongst them as though hee were a Stranger yet the Countrey was called after his name And that this power was also increased by his Posterity For Euristheus being slaine in Attica by the Heracleides Atreus that was his Vncle by the Mother and was then abiding with him as an exiled person for feare of his Father for the death of Chrysippus and to whom Euristheus when he vndertooke the Expedition had committed Mycenae and the gouernment thereof for that he was his Kinsman when as Euristheus came not backe the Mycenians being willing to it for feare of the Heracleides and because he was an able man and made much of the Common people obtained the Kingdome of Mycenae and of whatsoeuer else was vnder Euristheus for himselfe And the power of the Pelopeides became greater then that of the Perseides To which greatnesse Agamemnon succeeding and also farre excelling the rest in Shipping tooke that Warre in hand as
but belieue it Themistocles when hee saw this wished them not to bee led by reports but rather to send thither some of their owne such as were honest men and hauing informed themselues would relate the truth Which they also did And Themistocles sendeth priuily to the Athenians about the same men to take order for their stay with as little apparence of it as they could and not to dismisse them till their owne Ambassadours were returned For by this time were arriued those that were ioyned with him namely Abronychus the sonne of Lysicles and Aristides the sonne of Lysimachus and brought him word that the Wall was of a sufficient height For hee feared lest the Lacedaemonians when they knew the truth would refuse to let them goe The Athenians therefore kept there those Ambassadours according as it was written to them to doe Themistocles comming now to his audience before the Lacedaemonians said plainely That the Citie of Athens was already walled and that sufficiently for the defence of those within And that if it shall please the Lacedaemonians vpon any occasion to send Ambassadours vnto them they were to send thenceforward as to men that vnderstood what conduced both to their owne and also to the common good of all Greece For when they thought it best to quit their Citie and put themselues into their Gallies he said they were bold to doe it without asking the aduice of them And in Common Counsell the aduice of the Athenians was as good as the aduice of them And now at this time their opinion is that it will bee best both for themselues in particular and for all the Confederates in common that their Citie should bee walled For that in strength vnequall men cannot alike and equally aduise for the common benefit of Greece Therefore said hee eyther must all the Confederate Cities bee vnwalled or you must not thinke amisse of what is done by vs. The Lacedaemonians when they heard him though they made no shew of being angry with the Athenians for they had not sent their Ambassadours to forbid them but by way of aduice to admonish them not to build the Wall besides they bare them affection then for their courage shewne against the Medes yet they were inwardly offended because they missed of their will And the Ambassadours returned home of either side without complaint Thus the Athenians quickly raised their Walles the structure it selfe making manifest the haste vsed in the building For the Foundation consisteth of stones of all sorts and those in some places vnwrought and as they were brought to the place Many Pillars also taken from Sepulchers and polished Stones were piled together amongst the rest For the circuit of the City was set euery way further out and therefore hastening they tooke alike whatsoeuer came next to hand Themistocles likewise perswaded them to build vp the rest of Peiraeus for it was begun in the yeere that himselfe was Archon of Athens as conceiuing the place both beautifull in that it had three naturall Hauens and that beeing now Sea-men it would very much conduce to the enlargement of their power For hee was indeede the first man that durst tell them that they ought to take vpon them the command of the Sea and withall presently helped them in the obtaining it By his counsell also it was that they built the Wall of that breadth about Piraeus which is now to be seene For two Carts carrying stones met and passed vpon it one by another And yet within it there was neither Rubbish nor Morter to fill it vp but it was made all of great stones cut square and bound together with Iron and Lead But for height it was raised but to the halfe at the most of what he had intended For hee would haue had it able to hold out the Enemie both by the height and breadth and that a few and the lesse seruiceable men might haue sufficed to defend it and the rest haue serued in the Nauie For principally hee was addicted to the Sea because as I thinke he had obserued that the Forces of the King had easier accesse to invade them by Sea then by Land and thought that Piraeus was more profitable then the City aboue And oftentimes hee would exhort the Athenians that in case they were oppressed by Land they should goe downe thither and with their Gallies make resistance against what Enemie soeuer Thus the Athenians built their Walles and fitted themselues in other kinds immediately vpon the departure of the Persians In the meane time was Pausanias the sonne of Cleombrotus sent from Lacedaemon Commander of the Grecians with twenty Gallies out of Peloponnesus With which went also 30. Saile of Athens besides a multitude of other Confederates and making Warre on Cyprus subdued the greatest part of the same and afterwards vnder the same Commander came before Byzantium which they besieged and wonne But Pausanias being now growne insolent both the rest of the Grecians and specially the Iönians who had newly recouered their liberty from the King offended with him came vnto the Athenians and requested them for consanguinities sake to become their Leaders and to protect them from the violence of Pausanias The Athenians accepting the motion applyed themselues both to the defence of these and also to the ordering of the rest of the affaires there in such sort as it should seeme best vnto themselues In the meane time the Lacedaemonians sent for Pausanias home to examine him of such things as they had heard against him For great crimes had beene laid to his charge by the Grecians that came from thence and his gouernment was rather an imitation of Tyranny then a Command in Warre And it was his hap to bee called home at the same time that the Confederates all but the Souldiers of Peloponnesus out of hatred to him had turned to the Athenians When he came to Lacedaemon though he were censured for some wrongs done to priuate men yet of the greatest matters he was acquit especially of Medizing the which seemed to bee the most euident of all Him therefore they sent Generall no more but Dorcis and some others with him with no great Army whose command the Confederates refused and they finding that went their wayes likewise And after that the Lacedaemonians sent no more because they feared lest such as went out would proue the worse for the State as they had seene by Pausanias and also because they desired to be rid of the Persian Warre conceiuing the Athenians to bee sufficient Leaders and at that time their friends When the Athenians had thus gotten the Command by the Confederates owne accord for the hatred they bare to Pausanias they then set downe an order which Cities should contribute money for this Warre against the Barbarians and which Gallies For they pretended to repaire the iniuries they had suffered by laying
which was also in their owne hands before But the Athenians for now was Nicias also come backe and at the Towne side rushed into the City with the whole Army and rifled it not as opened to them by agreement but as taken by force And the Captaines had much adoe to keepe them that they also killed not the men After this they bade the Mendaeans vse the same forme of gouernment they had done before and to giue iudgement vpon those they thought the principall authors of the reuolt amongst themselues Those that were in the Cittadell they shut vp with a wall reaching on both sides to the Sea and left a guard to defend it and hauing thus gotten Menda they led their Army against Scione The Scionaeans and the Peloponnesians comming out against them possessed themselues of a strong hil before the Citie which if the enemy did not winne he should not be able to enclose the City with a wall The Athenians hauing strongly charged them with shot and beaten the defendants from it encamped vpon the hill and after they had set vp their Trophy prepared to build their wall about the Citie Not long after whilest the Athenians were at worke about this those aides that were besieged in the Cittadell of Menda forcing the watch by the Sea-side came by night and escaping most of them through the Campe before Scione put themselues into that City As they were enclosing of Scione Perdiccas sent a Herald to the Athenian Commanders and concluded a Peace with the Athenians vpon hatred to Brasidas about the retreat made out of Lyncus hauing then immediately begun to treat of the same For it happened also at this time that Ischagoras a Lacedaemonian was leading an Army of foot vnto Brasidas And Perdiccas partly because Nicias aduised him seeing the Peace was made to giue some cleare token that he would be firme and partly because he himselfe desired not that the Peloponnesians should come any more into his Territories wrought with his hostes in Thessaly hauing in that kind euer vsed the prime men and so stopped the Army and Munition as they would not so much as try the Thessalians whether they would let them passe or not Neuerthelesse Ischagoras and Ameinias and Aristeus themselues went on to Brasidas as sent by the Lacedaemonians to view the state of affaires there And also tooke with them from Sparta contrary to the Law such men as were but in the beginning of their youth to make them gouernours of Cities rather then to commit the Cities to the care of such as were there before And Clearidas the sonne of Cleonymus they made gouernour of Amphipolis and Epitelidas the sonne of Hegesander gouernour of Torone The same Summer the Thebans demolished the walles of the Thespians laying Atticisme to their charge And though they had euer meant to doe it yet now it was easier because the flower of their youth was slaine in the battell against the Athenians The Temple of Iuno in Argos was also burnt downe the same Summer by the negligence of Chrysis the Priest who hauing set a burning Torch by the Garlands fell asleepe insomuch as all was on fire and flamed out before shee knew Chrysis the same night for feare of the Argiues fled presently to Phlius and they according to the Law formerly vsed chose another Priest in her roome called Phaeinis Now when Chrysis fled was the eighth yeere of this Warre ended and halfe of the ninth Scione in the very end of this Summer was quite enclosed and the Athenians hauing left a guard there went home with the rest of their Army The Winter following nothing was done betweene the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians because of the Truce But the Mantineans and the Tegeatae with the Confederates of both fought a battell at Laodicea in the Territory of Orestis wherein the victory was doubtfull for either side put to flight one Wing of their enemies both sides set vp Trophies and both sides sent of their spoyles vnto Delphi Neuerthelesse after many slaine on either side and equall battell which ended by the comming of night the Tegeatae lodged all night in the place and erected their Trophie then presently whereas the Mantineans turned to Bucolion and set vp their Trophie afterwards The same Winter ending and the Spring now approaching Brasidas made an attempt vpon Potidaea For comming by night he applyed his Ladders and was thitherto vndiscerned He tooke the time to apply his Ladders when the Bell passed by and before he that carried it to the next returned Neuerthelesse being discouered he scaled not the Wall but presently againe withdrew his Army with speed not staying till it was day So ended this Winter and the ninth yeere of this Warre written by THVCYDIDES THE FIFTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THVCYDIDES The principall Contents The former yeeres Truce ended Cleon warreâ—h on the Chalcidicke Cities and recouereth Torone Phaeax is sent by the Athenians to moue a Warre amongst the Sicilians Cleon and Brasidas who were on both sides the principall maintainers of the Warre are both slaine at Amphipolis Presently after their death a Peace is concluded and after that againe a League betweene the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians Diuers of the Lacedaemonian Confederates hereat discontented seeke the Confederacy of the Argiues These make League first with the Corinthians Eleans and Mantineans then with the Lacedaemonians and then againe by the artifice of Alcibiades with the Athenians After this the Argiues make Warre vpon the Epidaurians and the Lacedaemonians vpon the Argiues The Athenian Captaines and the Melians treate by way of Dialogue touching the yeelding of Melos which the Athenians afterwards besiege and winne These are the Actes of almost sixe yeeres more of the same Warre THE Summer following the Truce for a yeere which was to last till the Pythian Holidayes expired During this Truce the Athenians remoued the Delians out of Delos because though they were consecrated yet for a certaine crime committed of old they esteemed them polluted persons because also they thought there wanted this part to make perfect the purgation of the Iland in the purging whereof as I declared before they thought they did well to take vp the sepulchres of the dead These Delians seated themselues afterwards euery one as he came in Adramyttium in Asia a Towne giuen vnto them by Pharnaces After the Truce was expired Cleon preuailed with the Athenians to be sent out with a Fleet against the Cities lying vpon Thrace He had with him of Athenians 1200 men of Armes and 300 horsemen Of Confederates more and thirty Gallies And first arriuing at Scione which was yet besieged he tooke aboord some men of Armes of those that kept the siege and sayled into the Hauen of the Colophonians not farre distant from the Citie of Torone And there hauing heard by fugitiues that Brasidas was not in Torone nor
request that Panactum and the Athenian prisoners might be put into the hands of the Lacedaemonians that they might get Pylus restored in exchange But the Boeotians answered that vnlesse the Lacedaemonians would make a particular League with them as they had done with the Athenians they would not doe it The Lacedaemonians though they knew they should therein wrong the Athenians for that it was said in the Articles that neither party should make either League or Warre without the others consent yet such was their desire to get Panactum to exchange it for Pylus and withall they that longed to breake the Peace with Athens were so eager in it that at last they concluded a league with the Boeotians Winter then ending and the Spring approaching And Panactum was presently pulled downe to the ground So ended the eleuenth yeere of this Warre In the Spring following the Argiues when they saw that the Ambassadors which the Boeotians promised to send vnto them came not and that Panactum was razed and that also there was a priuate league made betweene the Boeotians and the Lacedaemonians were afraid lest they should on all hands be abandoned and that the Confederates would all goe to the Lacedaemonians For they apprehended that the Boeotians had been induced both to raze Panactum and also to enter into the Athenian Peace by the Lacedaemonians and that the Athenians were priuy to the same So that now they had no meanes to make league with the Athenians neither whereas before they made account that if their truce with the Lacedaemonians continued not they might vpon these differences haue ioyned themselues to the Athenians The Argiues being therfore at a stand and fearing to haue Warre all at once with the Lacedaemonians Tegeats Boeotians and Athenians as hauing formerly refused the truce with the Lacedaemonians and imagined to themselues the principality of all Peloponnesus they sent Ambassadors with as much speed as might be Eustrophus Aeson persōs as they thought most acceptable vnto them with this cogitation that by compounding with the Lacedaemonians as well as for their present estate they might howsoeuer the world went they should at least liue at quiet When these Ambassadors were there they fell to treat of the Articles vpon which the agreement should be made And at first the Argiues desired to haue the matter referred either to some priuate man or to some City concerning the Territory of Cynuria about which they haue alwayes differed as lying on the borders of them both it containeth the Cities of Thyrea and Anthena and is possessed by the Lacedaemonians But afterwards the Lacedaemonians not suffering mention to be made of that but that if they would haue the Truce goe on as it did before they might the Argiue Ambassadours got them to yeeld to this That for the present an accord should be made for fifty yeeres but withall that it should be lawfull neuerthelesse if one challenged the other thereunto both for Lacedaemon and Argos to try their Titles to this Territory by battell so that there were in neither City the Plague or a Warre to excuse them as once before they had done when as both sides thought they had the victory And that it should not be lawfull for one part to follow the chase of the other further then to the bounds either of Lacedaemon or Argos And though this seemed to the Lacedaemonians at first to be but a foolish proposition yet afterwards because they desired by all meanes to haue friendship with the Argiues they agreed vnto it and put into writing what they required Howsoeuer before the Lacedaemonians would make any full conclusion of the same they willed them to returne first to Argos and to make the People acquainted with it and then if it were accepted to returne at the Hyacinthian Feast and sweare it So these departed Whilest the Argiues were treating about this the Lacedaemonian Ambassadors Andromenes and Phaedimus and Antimenidas Commissioners for receiuing of Panactum and the prisoners from the Boeotians to render them to the Athenians found that Panactum was demolished and that their pretext was this That there had been anciently an Oath by occasion of difference betweene the Athenians and them That neither part should inhabite the place solely but ioyntly both But for the Athenian prisoners as many as the Boeotians had they that were with Andromenes receiued conuoyed and deliuered them vnto the Athenians and withall told them of the razing of Panactum alledging it as rendred in that no enemy of Athens should dwell in it hereafter But when this was told them the Athenians made it a haynous matter for that they conceiued that the Lacedaemonians had done them wrong both in the matter of Panactum which was pulled downe and should haue beene rendred standing and because also they had heard of the priuate League made with the Boeotians whereas they had promised to ioyne with the Athenians in compelling such to accept of the Peace as had refused it withall they weighed whatsoeuer other points the Lacedaemonians had beene short in touching the performance of the Articles and thought themselues abused so that they answered the Lacedaemonian Ambassadours roughly and dismissed them This difference arising betweene the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians it was presently wrought vpon by such also of Athens as desired to haue the Peace dissolued Amongst the rest was Alcibiades the sonne of Clinias a man though yong in yeeres yet in the dignity of his Ancestors honoured as much as any man of what Citie soeuer Who was of opinion that it was better to ioyne with the Argiues not onely for the matter it selfe but also out of stomacke labouring to crosse the Lacedaemonians because they had made the Peace by the meanes of Nicias and Laches without him whom for his youth they had neglected and not honoured as for the ancient hospitality betweene his house and them had been requisite which his father had indeed renounced but he himselfe by good Offices done to those prisoners which were brought from the Iland had a purpose to haue renewed But supposing himselfe on all hands disparaged he both opposed the Peace at first alledging that the Lacedaemonians would not be constant and that they had made the Peace onely to get the Argiues by that meanes away from them and afterwards to inuade the Athenians againe when they should be destitute of their friends And also as soone as this difference was on foote he sent presently to Argos of himselfe willing them with all speed to come to Athens as being thereunto inuited and to bring with them the Eleans and Mantineans to enter with the Athenians into a League the opportunity now seruing and promising that he would helpe them all he could The Argiues hauing heard the message and knowing that the Athenians had made no League with the Boeotians and that they were at great quarrell with the Lacedaemonians neglected the Ambassadors they had
then in Lacedaemon whom they had sent about the Truce and applied themselues to the Athenians with this thought that if they should haue Warre they should by this meanes be backed with a City that had been their ancient friend gouerned like their owne by Democracy and of greatest power by Sea Whereupon they presently sent Ambassadours to Athens to make a League and together with theirs went also the Ambassadors of the Eleans and Mantineans Thither also with all speed came the Lacedaemonian Ambassadors Philocharidas Leon and Endius persons accounted most gracious with the Athenians for feare lest in their passion they should make a League with the Argiues and withall to require the restitution of Pylus for Panactum and to excuse themselues concerning their League with the Boeotians as not made for any harme intended to the Athenians Now speaking of these things before the Councell and how that they were come thither with full power to make agreement concerning all Controuersies betwixt them they put Alcibiades into feare lest if they should say the same before the people the multitude would be drawne vnto their side and so the Argiue League fall off But Alcibiades deuiseth against them this plot He perswadeth the Lacedaemonians not to confesse their plenary power before the people and giueth them his faith that then Pylus should be rendred for he said he would perswade the Athenians to it as much as he now opposed it and that the rest of their differences should be compounded This he did to alienate them from Nicias and that by accusing them before the people as men that had no true meaning nor euer spake one and the same thing he might bring on the league with the Argiues Eleans Mantineans And it came to passe accordingly For when they came before the people and to the question whether they had full power of concluding had contrary to what they had said in Councell answered no the Athenians would no longer endure them but gaue eare to Alcibiades that exclaimed against the Lacedaemonians farre more now then euer and were ready then presently to haue the Argiues and those others with them brought in and to make the League But an Earthquake happening before any thing was concluded the assembly was adiourned In the next dayes meeting Nicias though the Lacedaemonians had been abused and he himselfe also deceiued touching their comming with full power to conclude yet he persisted to affirme that it was their best course to be friends with the Lacedaemonians and to deferre the Argiues businesse till they had sent to the Lacedaemonians againe to be assured of their intention saying that it was honour vnto themselues and dishonour to the Lacedaemonians to haue the Warre put off For for themselues being in estate of prosperity it was best to preserue their good fortune as long as they might whereas to the other side who were in euill estate it should be in place of gaine to put things as soone as they could to the hazzard So he perswaded them to send Ambassadours whereof himselfe was one to require the Lacedaemonians if they meant sincerely to render Panactum standing and also Amphipolis and if the Boeotians would not accept of the Peace then to vndoe their League with them according to the Article That the one should not make league with any without the consent of the other They willed him to say further That they themselues also if they had had the will to doe wrong had ere this made a league with the Argiues who were present then at Athens for the same purpose And whatsoeuer they had to accuse the Lacedaemonians of besides they instructed Nicias in it and sent him and the other his fellow Ambassadours away When they were arriued and had deliuered what they had in charge and this last of all That the Athenians would make League with the Argiues vnlesse the Lacedaemonians would renounce their League with the Boeotians if the Boeotians accepted not the Peace the Lacedaemonians denyed to renounce their league with the Boeotians for Xenares the Ephore and the rest of that faction carried it but at the request of Nicias they renued their former Oath For Nicias was afraid he should returne with nothing done and be carped at as after also it fell out as author of the Lacedaemonian Peace At this returne when the Athenians vnderstood that nothing was effected at Lacedaemon they grew presently into choler and apprehending iniury the Argiues and their Confederates being there present brought in by Alcibiades they made a Peace and a League with them in these words The Athenians and Argiues and Mantineans and Eleans for themselues and for the Confederates commanded by euery of them haue made an accord for 100 yeeres without fraud or dammage both by Sea and Land It shall not be lawfull for the Argiues nor Eleans nor Mantineans nor their Confederates to beare Armes against the Athenians or the Confederates vnder the command of the Athenians or their Confederates by any fraud or machination whatsoeuer And the Athenians Argiues and Mantineans haue made League with each other for 100 yeeres on these termes If any enemy shall inuade the Territory of the Athenians then the Argiues Eleans and Mantineans shall goe vnto Athens to assist them according as the Athenians shall send them word to doe in the best manner they possibly can But if the enemy after hee haue spoyled the Territory shall be gone backe then their Citie shall be held as an enemy to the Argiues Eleans Mantineans and Athenians and Warre shall be made against it by all those Cities And it shall not be lawfull for any of those Cities to giue ouer the Warre without the consent of all the rest And if an enemy shall inuade the Territory either of the Arâ—giues or of the Eleans or of the Mantineans then the Athenians shall come vnto Argos Elis and Mantinea to assist them in such sort as those Cities shall send them word to doe in the best manner they possibly can But if the enemy after he hath wasted their Territory shall be gone backe then their Citie shall be held as an enemy both to the Athenians and also to the Argiues Eleans and Mantineans and Warre shall be made against it by all those Cities and it shall not be lawfull for any of them to giue ouer the Warre against that Citie without the consent of all the rest There shall no armed men be suffered to passe through the Dominions either of themselues or of any the Confederates vnder their seueuerall commands to make Warre in any place whatsoeuer vnlesse by the suffrage of all the Cities Athens Argos Elis and Mantinea their passage be allowed To such as come to assist any of the other Cities that Citie which sendeth them shal giue maintenance for thirtie dayes after they shal arriue in the Citie that sent for them and the like at their going away But if they
the rest wrong the rest for if he were in distresse he should not finde any man that would share with him in his calamity Therefore as we are not so much as saluted when we be in misery so let them likewise be content to be contemned of vs when we flourish or if they require equality let them also giue it I know that such men or any man else that excelleth in the glory of any thing whatsoeuer shall as long as he liueth be enuied principally of his equals and then also of others amongst whom he conuerseth but with posterity they shall haue kindred claimed of them though there he none and his Countrey will boast of him not as of a stranger or one that had been a man of leud life but as their owne Citizen and one that had atchieued worthy and laudable acts This being the thing I ayme at and for which I am renowned consider now whether I administer the publique the worse for it or not For hauing reconciled vnto you the most potent States of Peloponnesus without much either danger or cost I compelled the Lacedaemonians to stake all that euer they had vpon the Fortune of one day of Mantinea And this hath my youth and Madnesse supposed to haue beene very madâ—esse with familiar and fit words wrought vpon the power of the Peloponnesians and shewing reason for my passion made my madnesse now no longer to be feared But as long as I flourish with it and Nicias is esteemed fortunate make you vse of both our seruices And abrogate not your Decree touching the voyage into Sicily as though the power were great you are to encounter withall For the number wherewith their Cities are populous is but of promiscuous Nations easily shifting and easily admitting new commers and consequently not sufficiently armed any of them for the defence of their bodies nor furnished as the custome of the place appointeth to fight for their Countrey But what any of them thinkes hee may get by faire speech or snatch from the Publike by sedition that onely he lookes after with purpose if he faile to runne the Countrey And it is not likely that such a rabble should either with one consent giue eare to what is told them or vnite themselues for the administration of their affaires in common but if they heare of faire offers they will one after one be easily induced to come in especially if there be seditions amongst them as we heare there are And the truth is there are neither so many men of Armes as they boast of nor doth it appeare that there are so many Grecians there in all as the seuerall Cities haue euery one reckoned for their owne number Nay euen Greece hath much belyed it selfe and was scarce sufficiently armed in all this Warre past So that the businesse there for all that I can by Fame vnderstand is euen as I haue told you and will yet bee easier For wee shall haue many of the Barbarians vpon hatred of the Syracusians to take our parts against them there and if wee consider the case aright there will bee nothing to hinder vs at home For our Ancestors hauing the same Enemies which they say we leaue behinde vs now in our voyage to Sicily and the Persian besides did neuerthelesse erect the Empire wee now haue by our onely oddes of strength at Sea And the hope of the Peloponnesians against vs was neuer lesse then now it is though their power were also as great as euer for they would bee able to inuade our Land though wee went not into Sicily and by Sea they can doe vs no harme though wee goe for we shall leaue a Nauie sufficient to oppose theirs behinde vs. What therefore can wee alleadge with any probability for our backwardnesse or what can wee pretend vnto our Confederates for denying them assistance whom wee ought to defend were it but because wee haue sworne it to them without obiecting that they haue not reciprocally ayded vs. For wee tooke them not into League that they should come hither with their aydes but that by troubling our enemies there they might hinder them from comming hither against vs. And the way whereby we and whosoeuer else hath dominion hath gotten it hath euer beene the cheerefull succouring of their associates that required it whether they were Greekes or Barbarians For if we should all sit still or stand to make choyce which were fit to be assisted and which not we should haue little vnder our gouernment of the estates of other men but rather hazzard our owne For when one is growne mightier then the rest men vse not onely to defend themselues against him when he shall inuade but to anticipate him that he inuade not at all Nor is it in our power to be our owne caruers how much we will haue subiect to vs but considering the case we are in it is as necessary for vs to seeke to subdue those that are not vnder our Dominion as to keepe so those that are I est if others be not subiect to vs we fall in danger of being subiected vnto them Nor are we to weigh quietnesse in the same ballance that others doe vnlesse also the institution of this State were like vnto that of other States Let vs rather make reckoning by enterprising abroad to encrease our power at home and proceed in our voyage that we may cast downe the haughty conceit of the Peloponnesians and shew them the contempt and slight account we make of our present ease by vndertaking this our expedition in to Sicily Wherby either conquering those States wee shall become masters of all Greece or weaken the Syracusians to the benefit of our selues and our Confederates And for our security to stay if any City shall come to our side or to come away if otherwise our Gallies will afford it For in that we shall be at our owne liberty though all the Sicilians together were against it Let not the speech of Nicias tending onely to lazinesse and to the stirring of debate betweene the yong men and the old auert you from it but with the same decency wherewith your Ancestors consulting yong and old together haue brought our Dominion to the present height endeauour you likewise to enlarge the same And thinke not that youth or age one without the other is of any effect but that the simplest the middle sort and the exactest iudgements tempred together is it that doth the greatest good and that a State as well as any other thing will if it rest weare out of it selfe and all mens knowledge decay whereas by the exercise of Warre experience will continually increase and the Citie will get a habit of resisting the enemy not with words but action In summe this is my opinion that a State accustomed to bee actiue if it once grow idle will quickely be subiected by the change and that they of all men are most surely planted that with most vnity obserue the present Lawes