Book II - Wilbourhall.org

IV.] POINTS IN THE HISTORY. IxxvIn spite of the terrible epidemic which was decimatingthe population crowded in the city, and while thePeloponnesian army was ravaging whatever of Atticait had left untouched in the previous year, Pericleswent with one hundred Athenian ships and fiftyothers from Lesbos and Chios to Argolis. Theexpedition was on the whole successful, but anattempt to take Epidaurus failed. When the fleetreturned, Pericles found that very serious eventshad occurred in his absence. Attica had sufferedseverely from the invasion ;the enemy had remainedforty days in the land ; and the epidemic was ragingfiercely. It is scarcely surprising that many hadbegun to cry peace ; but to this cry was added theclamour of the party which, while it by no meanswished for peace, was glad to abet any attack onPericles. Negotiations had actually been openedwith Sparta, but without result. Pericles thoughtit best to remain in the city and send the fleeton to Potidaea, so that a sufficient force might beconcentrated there to carry the city by assault.But all failed : the mortality among the troops andcrews, owing to the plague, which had followed thefleet from Attica and which quickly spread also tothe force that was already besieging Potidaea, wasso heavy, that Hagnon, who was in command, wascompelled to return home about July.city.This new disaster increased the ill-feeling in thePericles therefore summoned a special meetingof the ecclesia, and defended himself against theattacks that were being so freely made upon him.The effect was to restore confidence in his policy.