Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/249

 DEATH OF CHABKIAJs. 223 ships from the Euxine in their passage through the Bosphorus * while Athens, as chief of the insular confederacy, claimed that right foi herself, and at any rate protested against the use of such f-ower by any other city for its own separate profit. This revolt, the beginning of what is termed the Social War, was a formidable shock to the foreign ascendency of Athens. Among all her confederates, Chios was the largest and most power- ful, the entire island being under one single government. Old men, like Plato and Isokrates, might perhaps recollect the affright oc- casioned at Athens fifty-four years before (B. c. 412) by the news of the former revolt of Chios, 2 shortly after the great disaster be- fore Syracuse. And probably the alarm was not much less, whe the Athenians were now apprised of the quadruple defection among their confederates near the Asiatic coast. The joint arma- ment of all four was mustered at Chios, whither Mausolus also sent a reinforcement. The Athenians equipped a fleet with land- forces on board, to attack the island ; and on this critical occasion we may presume that their citizens would overcome the reluctance to serve in person. Chabrias was placed in command of the fleet, Chares of the land-force ; the latter was disembarked on the island, and a joint attack upon the town of Chios, by sea and land at the same moment, was concerted. When Chares marched up to the walls, the Chians and their allies felt strong enough to come forth and hazard a battle, with no decisive result ; while Chabrias at the same time attempted with the fleet to force his way into the harbor. But the precautions for defence had been effectively taken, and the Chian seamen were resolute. Chabrias, leading the attack with his characteristic impetuosity, became entangled among the enemy's vessels, was attacked on all sides, and fell gallantly fight- ing. The other Athenian ships either were not forward in fol- lowing him, or could make no impression. Their attack com- pletely failed, and the fleet was obliged to retire, with little loss apparently, except that of the brave admiral. Chares with his 1 Demosthen. de Pace, p. 63. s. 25. (lupev) rbv Kupa raf vf/aovf Kara- fa/ifluveiv, X.lov Kal Kuv xal 'P66ov, not Bvfavriovf /carayetv rii r-/lota, etc. Compare Demosthenes adv. Polykl. p. 1207 s. 6. p. 1211. 3. 22; ad T Leptinem, p. 475. s. 68. 1 Thucvd. viii. 15.