220 - SURRENDER OF PLATAEA [ill Nicias wanted the Athenians to keep a watch over Megara, not as hitherto from Budorum in Salamis, but from this spot, which was nearer, the Peloponnesians would then be no longer able to send out triremes,as they had already done on one occasions', or privateers from the harbour unobserved, and nothing could be brought in by sea to Megara. First of all he took ^ two projecting towers on the side of the island towards Nisaea^* by the help of engines from the sea, and, having thus freed a way into the channel dividing Minoa from the coast of Megara, he fortified the point nearest the mainland, where, by a bridge through a lagoon, aid could be brought by the enemy to the island, lying as it did at that point close to the shore. The work was completed in a few days. Nicias then proceeded to build a fort on the island, and, leaving a garrison, re- turned with the rest of his army. 52 In this summer and about the same time the Plataeans, „, „, ^ who had exhausted their food and I he Flatacans sur- render to the Laccdae- could no longer hold out, capitulated monians, and a com- to the Peloponnesians. The enemy mhsion of five is sent ^^^ assaulted their wall and they were jrotn iipaiia to decide "^ their fate. They obtain Unable to defend themsclvcs. But the leave to speak in their Lacedaemonian Commander knew their own defence. weakness, and was desirous that the place should be surrendered and not stormed ; he had instructions from home to this effect, the intention being that if some day a treaty of peace were concluded, and both parties agreed to give up all the places which they had taken by force of arms*', Plataea might be excepted on the ground that the inhabitants had come to terms of their own accord. So he sent a herald to enquire whether they would surrender the place to the Lacedaemonians and submit to their decision ; the guilt}' were to be punished, but no one without a just cause. The Plataeans,
- Cp. ii. 93, 94. ^ Or, ' two towers projecting from Nisaea.'
' Cp. V. 17 ined.
