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.
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