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BELLUM PELOPONNESIACUM (II)
424-416 a.C.
n.c.
424.—The first eiitciprise umk-rtaken bj- the Athenians in the spring was against the island of C3'thera. Nicias, with a force
and sixty ships, invades the island, captures the towns of Cythera and Scandea, and after garrisoning the island
makes inroails on the mainland near Helos, Asine, Aphrodisias, Cotyrta, and elsewhere.
On his return from Cythcia to Athens, Nicias ravages the country near Epidaurus Limera, then attacks the
Aeginetan settlement at Thyrea, which he takes by storm.
While the Lacedaemonians are in a state of uneasiness, a request is received from Chalcidice and Perdiccas for Spartan
aid under Brasidas against Athens.
The Athenians, elate with their successes, now form plans against Megara, and a force is sent by way of Eleusis to
surprise the place. Xisaea capitulates, but they were unable to enter Megara. Demosthenes and Hippocrates
commanded the Athenians.
At this juncture, Brasidas, who was preparing his Thracian expedition, at once starts with a force to Tripodiscus in
aid of Megara. Being joined by a Boeotian force, and after an indecisive action, he compels the Athenians to retire,
tlius saving Megara.
the former with a land
Hippocrates'and Demosthenes ttien concert a more extensive plan for the invasion of Boeotia :
army, the latter with a fleet from the Corinthian Gulf ; but the plan miscarries, and Demosthenes retires without
striking a blow after having reached Siphae. Hippocrates is even more unfortunate. He marches to Tanagra and
captures Delium, which he fortifies. On his return march he suffers a crushing defeat at the hands of the Boeotians,
who afterwards recapture Delium.
Brasidas, having completed his levies, conducts them from the Isthmus to Heraolea, Melilaea, and Pharsalus in
Thessal}', encamping on the river Apidanus. Thence he proceeds to I'liacium, through Perrh;ebia and over the pass
of Olympus to Dium, in the territory of Perdiccas.
Bras^idas joins Perdiccas in marching against Arrhibaeus towards Lyncestis, but being dissatisfied
arrangement, and without marching over the pass to Lyncus, he takes his army into Chalcidice.
with this
His first operation is against Acanthus, which joins him against Athens ; as also Stagirus. Passing through Arne,
Anion, and Bromiscus, near Lake Bolhe, he begins his march on Amphipolis ; enters Argilus with the help of
conspirators, surprises and takes the bridge over the Strymon, and compels the capitulation of Amphi])olis.
Thucydides, who was in command at Thasus, immediately sets sail on hearing of the danger at Amphipolis, but
arrives at Eion after the surrender of the place. There was now dismay at Athens.
Brasidas, now in possession of Amphipolis. marches against the peninsula of Acte. Thyssus, Cleone, Olophyxus. and
other towns all submit, but Sane and Dium hold out. He next marches into the Sithonian peninsula to attack
Torone, which « as surprised and taken, the Athenian garrison retiring to the citadel called Lecythus.
storms and takes.
This Brasidas
423.—A truce for one year is concluded between Athens and Sparta.
from Athens.
Before the truce is made known in Thrace, Scione revolts
When the commissioners arrive to announce the truce, a dispute arises regarding Scione, the Athenians declaring it
had revolted after the signing of the truce.
The objection to handing over Scione being known at Athens, it was determined to undertake an expedition for its
reconquest. The war thus continued in Tluace, though suspended elsewhere.
Following on this, Mende revolted from the Atlienians. Brasidas now goes with the greater part of liis force to
assist Perdiccas against Arrhil)aeus and the Lyncestae.
While Brasidas is thus engaged the Athenian armament under Nicias and Nicostr.itus reaches Potidaea, then proceeds
to laud near the promontory of Posidium, to attack Mende. Being first repulsed, they take their fleet to the side of
Scione and ravage the country. Nicostratus soon recaptures Mende, and Nicias completely blockades Scione.
Brasidas, deserted by Perdiccas and harassed by lllyrians in his retreat, reaches Arnissa and proceeds to the
protection of Torone. Periliccas opens negotiations with Nicias.
Nicias, leaving Scione under blockade, returns with bis armament to Athens.
422.—The year's truce now expires. After considerable discussion as to peace or war, the Athenians are persuaded by Cleon to
undertake an expedition against Amphipolis.
Cleon in command starts from the Piraeus early in August with a force and tldrty iships. He first stops at
Scione and takes with him as many hoplites as can be spareil from the blockaile ; he next sails over to the
Sithonian peninsula to the "Harbour of the Colophonians," near Torone. Attacking Torone on two sides be
captures it.
Cleon then sails round Mount Atlios promontory to Eion, .3 miles from Amphipolis. While waiting for reinforcements
from Perdiccas, Cleon attacks Stagirus but is repulsed. He also attacks Galepsus, opposite Thasus, where he is
successful.
Brasidas was at Mount Cerdylium, watching Cleon's movements. Cleon is forced to move on Amphipolis by his troops,
but being ajiprised of Brasidas' attempt to surprise his army, orders a retreat to Eion. Brasidas falls on the retiring
army, and the Athenians are defeated and put to flight. Both Brasidas and Cleon are slain in battle.
To fact Map 3.