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