Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/86

78 THUCYDIDES [iV and then, finding that his confederates within failed in accompHshing their part, he took no further step. Mean- while the opponents of the conspirators, being superior in number, prevented the immediate opening of the gates, and acting with Eucles, the general to whose care the place had been committed by the Athenians, sent for help to the other general in Chalcidice, Thucydides the son of Olorus, who wrote this history; he was then at Thasos, an island colonised from Paros, and distant from Am- phipolis about half a day's sail. As soon as he heard the tidings he sailed quickly to Amphipolis with seven ships which happened to be on the spot ; he wanted to get into Amphipolis if possible before it could capitulate, or at any rate to occupy Eion. 105 Meanwhile Brasidas, fearing the arrival of the ships from Thasos, and hearing that Thucyd- „„d therefore offers j^j^^ ,^^j ^^^^ -^^^ ^^ working gold nioaerale teniis, ° . . - mines in the neighbourmg district of Thrace, and was consequently one of the leading men of the country, did his utmost to get possession of the city before his arrival. He was afraid that, if Thuc^'dides once came, the people of Amphipolis would no longer be disposed to surrender. For their hope would be that he would bring in allies from the islands or maritime towns or from the interior of Thrace, and relieve them. He therefore offered moderate terms, proclaiming that any Amphipolitan or Athenian might either remain in the city and have the enjoyment of his property on terms of equality; or, if he preferred, might depart, taking his goods with him, within five days. 106 When the people heard the proclamation they began to waver ; for very few of the citizens whieh are accepted bv the * 1 • .1 . u M,abitauts. Thucyd- ^^cre Athenians, the greater number ides saves Eion, but is being a mixed multitude. Many within too late to save Ant- jj^^ walls Were relatives of those who had been captured outside. In their alarm they thought the terms reasonable ; the Athenian