Page:History of Greece Vol VI.djvu/277

 FOURTH YEAR OF THE WAR -REVOLT OF MITYLENE. 255 only taken no part in it, but, as soon as they obtained possession of arms, had surrendered the city spontaneously. In all the allied cities, it was the commons who were well-affected to Athens. and upon whom her hold chiefly depended against the doubtful fidelity of the oligarchies c 1 but this feeling could not possibly continue, if it were now seen that all the Mitylenseans indiscrim- inately were confounded in one common destruction. Diodotus concludes by recommending that those Mitylenaeans whom Pa- eb.es had sent to Athens as chiefs of the revolt, should be put spon their trial separately; but that the remaining population should be spared. 2 This speech is that of a man who feels that he has the reign- ing and avowed sentiment of the audience against him, and that he must therefore win his way by appeals to their reason. The same appeals, however, might have been made, and perhaps had been made, during the preceding discussion, without success ; but Diodotus knew that the reigning sentiment, though still ostensibly predominant, had been silently undermined during the last few hours, and that the reaction towards pity and moderation, which had been growing up under it, would work in favor of his argu- ments, though he might disclaim all intention of invoking its aid. After several other discourses, both for and against, the assem- bly came to a vote, and the proposition of Diodotus was adopted ; but adopted by so small a majority, that the decision seemed at first doubtful. 3 But the trireme carrying the first vote had started the day before, and was already twenty-four hours on its way to Mity- lene. A second trireme was immediately put to sea, bearing the new decree ; yet nothing short of superhuman exertions could en- able it to reach the condemned city before the terrific sentence now on its way might be actually in course of execution. The Mity- lanaean envoys stored the vessel well with provisions, promising 1 Thucyd. iii, 47. Nvv fiev yap v/j.lv b drjfiof kv iraoaif ralf n6eaiv vvcvf tarl, KO.I r ov ^vvaiaTaTai Toif 6/Uyotf, $ kuv fliacrdfi, vtrapxei rotf ofa/j.iof ein?i)f, ical TTJS uvTiKadiaTafievqf iroAeuf rd liodorov.
 * Thucyd. iii, 48.
 * Thucyd. iii, 49. b/Evovro kv rrj %ei.poTovi<p uy^wuaAot, ^Kpurijae <5' /} roi