Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/199

123-126] EMBASSIES SENT TO AND FRO 83 liberties which the rest of the alHes have lost. We can- not go on as we are : for some of us are already suffering, and if it is known that we have met, but do not dare to- defend ourselves, others will soon share their fate. Acknowledging then, allies, that there is no alternative, and that we are advising you for the best, vote for war ; and be not afraid of the immediate danger, but fix your thoughts on the durable peace which will follow. For by war peace is assured, but to remain at peace when you should be going to war may be often very dangerous. The tyrant city which has been set up in Hellas is a standing menace to all alike ; she rules over some of us already, and would fain rule over others. Let us attack and subdue her, that we may ourselves live safely for the future and deliver the Hellenes whom she has enslaved.' Such were the words of the Corinthians. The Lacedaemonians, having heard the opinions of all 125 the allies, put the question to them all, Nearly a year is spmt one after the other, great and small in preparation. alike, and the majority voted for war. But, although they had come to this decision, they were not ready, and could not take up arms at once ; so they determined to make the necessary preparations, each for themselves, with the least possible delay. Still nearly a whole year was passed in preparation before they invaded Attica and commenced open hostilities. During this interval they sent embassies to Athens and 126 made various complaints that their 77,^ sf,j,y of Cylon grounds for goin^ to war might be all told in explanation of ii ^ • i.u , ^v,^^•.^y^r~ the curse of the Goddess. the Stronger m case the Athenians -^ refused to listen. The first ambassadors desired the Athenians to drive out ' the curse of the Goddess." The J}:^-;^'^^ curse to which they referred was as follows : — In the days of old there was an Athenian named Cylon, who had been an Olympic victor ; he was powerful and of noble birth ; and he had married the daughter of Theagenes, a Megarian who was at that time tyrant of Megara. In answer to an G 2