Book II - Wilbourhall.org

APPENDIX I.ANALYSIS OF BOOK II.1. Preface to the Ten Years' War.2-6. Theban attempt on Plataea, April 43 1b.c. TheThebanssurprised the town while the Peloponnesians were preparingto invade Attica. They offered to accept Plataea as an ally ;which offer the Plataeans in their terror were about to accept.But, on noticing that the Thebans were few in number, theydecided to attack them ; and of the Thebans some were killedand the rest were captured while searching in vain for thegates of the town. Hereupon a large force arrived fromThebes, and the Plataeans expostulated with them, promisingon their part—so the Thebans said—that they would releasethe prisoners if their land were left unharmed. But, whenthe Thebans departed, the prisoners were put to death. Thenthe Athenians sent troops and supplies to Plataea, and thewomen, children, and old men were removed from the town toAthens.7-9. The preparations and the feelings of both sides. ThePeloponnesians formed a prodigious scheme for a huge navy,but nothing came of it all. (A^uv eyeXacrev (vravOa.) TheAthenians made a special point of securing the friendshipof the N. W. islands. The usual prophecies were whispered :the usual portents were reported. Sparta's catch-word wasFreedom : Athens cried Empire. Therefore all to whom thechoice of sides lay open chose Sparta. But the islands andcoast-towns of Asia and of the North-West were bound tosupport Athens ; and Plataea, Naupactus, and the Acarnanians,except those of Astacus and Oeniadae, were indebtedto her for benefits received.10-12. The Lacedaemonians muster at the Isthmus preparatoryto invading Attica. There Archidamus the Spartanking harangued them in a speech which exemplifies the240