Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/223

 6-^] GENERAL SYMPATHY WITH LACEDAEMON 107 Italy and Sicily to build others in number proportioned to B.C. 431. the size of their cities, in addition to the ships which they ^'* ^'^' ^' had on the spot ; for they intended to raise the Pelopon- nesian navy to a total of five hundred. The cities were also required to furnish a fixed sum of money ; they were not to receive more than one ship of the Athenians at a time, but were to take no further measures until these preparations had been completed. The Athenians reviewed their confederacy, and sent ambassadors to the places immediately adjacent to Peloponnesus — Corcyra, Ce- phallenia, Acarnania, and Zacynthus. They perceived that if they could only rely upon the friendship of these states % they might completely encircle Peloponnesus with war. On neither side were there any mean thoughts ; they 8 were both full of enthusiasm : and no Excitement and en- wonder, for all men are energetic when ^hustasm m Hellas. they are making a beginning. At that time the youth of Peloponnesus and the youth of Athens were numerous ; they had never seen war, and were therefore very willing to take up arms. All Hellas was excited by the coming conflict between her two chief cities. Many were the prophecies circulated and many the oracles chanted by diviners, not only in the cities about to engage in the struggle, but throughout Hellas. Quite recently the island of Delos had been shaken by an earthquake for the first time within the memory of the Hellenes; this was inter- preted and generally believed to be a sign of coming events. And everything of the sort which occurred was curiously noted. The feeling of mankind was strongly on the side of 9 the Lacedaemonians; for they professed Universal hatred and to be the liberators of Hellas. Cities fear of the Athenians. and individuals were eager to assist them to the utmost, both by word and deed ; and where a man could not hope " Taking /St/Saicus with it a<piai <piia ravra (Itj.