Page:History of Greece Vol VI.djvu/208

 I8G HISTORY OF GREECE, summons which we have already sent to you ; enjoy your own territory, and remain neutral, receiving both parties as friends, but neither party for warlike purposes. With this we shall be satisfied." The reply of Archidamus discloses by allusion a circumstance which the historian had not before directly mentioned ; that the Lacedaemonians had sent a formal summons to the Plataeans to renounce their alliance with Athens and remain neutral : at Avhat time this took place, 1 we do not know, but it marks the peculiar sentiment attaching to the town. But the Plataeans did not comply with the invitation thus twice repeated. The heralds, having returned for instructions into the city, brought back for answer, that compliance was impossible, without the consent of the Athenians, since their wives and families were now harbored at Athens : besides, if they should profess neutrality, and admit both parties as friends, the Thebans might again make an attempt to surprise their city. In reply to their scruples, Archidamus again addressed them " Well, then, hand over your city and houses to us Lacedaemonians : mark out the boundaries of your territory : specify the number of your fruit-trees, and all your other property which admits of being numbered ; and then retire whithersoever ye choose, as long as the war continues. As soon in the interim, we will hold it in trust, and keep it in cultiva- tion, and pay you such an allowance as shall suffice for your wants." 2 The proposition now made was so fair and tempting, that the general body of the Platseans were at first inclined to accept it, provided the Athenians would acquiesce ; and they obtained from Archidamus a truce long enough to enable them to send envoys to Athens. After communication with the Athenian assembly, the envoys returned to Plateea, bearing the following answer: " Men of Plataea, the Athenians say they have never yet per- mitted you to be wronged since the alliance first began, nor will they now betray you, but will help you to the best of their 1 This previous summons is again alluded to afterwards, on occasion of I he slaughter of the Plataean prisoners (iii, 68): 6tnri rov re lilhov fpovov 7)!-iovv drjdev, etc. * Tbucyd. ii, 7S, 74.
 * s it is over, we will restore to you all that we have received,