CHAPTER LVI.

FROM THE FESTIVAL OF OLYMPIAD 90, DOWN TO THE BATTLE OF MANTINEIA.

New policy of Athens, attempted by Alkibiadês.—Expedition of Alkibiadês into the interior of Peloponnesus.—Attack upon Epidaurus by Argos and Athens.—Movements of the Spartans and Argeians.—The sacred month Karneius—trick played by the Argeians with their calendar—Congress at Mantineia for peace—the discussions prove abortive.—Athenian lordship of the sea—the alliance between Athens and Sparta continues in name, but is indirectly violated by both.—Invasion of Argos by Agis and the Lacedæmonians, Bœotians, and Corinthians.—Approach of the invaders to Argos by different lines of march.—Superior forces and advantageous position of the invaders—danger of Argos—Agis takes upon him to grant an armistice to the Argeians, and withdraws the army—dissatisfaction of the allies.—Severe censure against Agis on his return to Sparta.—Tardy arrival of Alkibiadês, Lachês, etc., with the Athenian contingent at Argos—expedition of Athenians, Eleians, Mantineians, and Argeians, against the Arcadian town of Orchomenus.—Plans against Tegea—the Eleians return home.—Danger of Tegea—Agis and the Lacedæmonians march to its relief.—Manœuvres of Agis to bring on a battle on fair ground.—Forward march and new position of the Argeians.—The Lacedæmonians are surprised: their sudden and ready formation into battle order.—Gradation of command and responsibility peculiar to the Lacedæmonian army.—Lacedæmonian line: privileged post of the Skiritæ on the left.—Uncertain numbers of both armies.—Preliminary harangues to the soldiers.—Battle of Mantineia.—Movement ordered by Agis, on the instant before the battle; his order disobeyed. His left wing is defeated.—Complete ultimate victory of the Lacedæmonians.—Great effects of the victory in reëstablishing the reputation of Sparta.—Operations of Argeians, Eleians, etc., near Epidaurus.—Political change at Argos, arising out of the battle of Mantineia.—Oligarchical conspiracy of the Thousand-regiment at Argos, in concert with the Lacedæmonians.—Treaty of peace between Sparta and Argos.—Treaty of alliance between Sparta and Argos—dissolution of the alliance of Argos with Athens, Mantineia, and Elis.—Submission of Mantineia to Sparta.—Oligarchical revolution effected at Argos by the Thousand, in concert with the Lacedæmonians.—Oligarchy in Sikyôn and the towns in Achaia.—Violences of the Thousand at Argos: counter-revolution in that town: restoration of the democracy.—Proceedings of the restored Argeian Demos: tardiness of Sparta.—Alkibiadês at Argos: measures for the protection of the democracy.—Nominal peace, but precarious relations, between Athens and Sparta.—Relations of Athens with Perdikkas of Macedonia.—Negligence of Athens about Amphipolis: improvidence of Nikias and the peace-party: adventurous speculations of Alkibiadês.—Projected contention of ostracism between Nikias and Alkibiadês. Proposition supported by Hyperbolus.—Gradual desuetude of the ostracism, as the democracy became assured.—Siege of Mêlos by the Athenians.—Dialogue set forth by Thucydidês, between the Athenian envoys and the Executive Council of Mêlos.—Language represented by Thucydidês as having been held by the Athenian envoys—with the replies of the Melians.—Refusal of the Melians to submit.—Siege and capture of Mêlos.—Remarks upon the event.—View taken by Thucydidês of this incident.—Place which it occupies in the general historical conception of Thucydidês. 61-118