Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/268

 152 PHORMIO AT NAUPACTUS [ll inhabitants were the most powerful communit3 Many generations afterwards, these Amphilochians in a time of distress invited their neighbours the Ambraciots to join in the settlement, and from them they first learned the Hellenic language which they now speak ; the other Amphilochians are Barbarians. After a while the Ambraciots drove out the Amphilochian Argives and themselves took possession of the city. The expelled Amphilochians placed them- selves under the protection of the Acarnanians, and both together called in the Athenians, who sent them a fleet of thirty ships under the command of Phormio. When Phormio arrived, they stormed Argos, and sold the Ambraciots into slavery ; and the Amphilochians and Acarnanians dwelt together in the place. The alliance between the Acarnanians and Athenians then first began. The hatred of the Ambraciots towards the Amphilochian Argives commenced with the enslavement of their country- men ; and now when the war ofTered an opportunity they invaded their territory, accompanied by the Chaonians and some others of the neighbouring Barbarians. They came as far as Argos and made themselves masters of the country ; but not being able to take the city by assault they returned, and the several tribes dispersed to their own homes. Such were the events of the summer. 69 In the following winter the Athenians sent twenty ships on an expedition round Peloponnesus. Phormio at Nattpac- _,, 1 1 i 1 tus. Mehsandersentio These Were placed under the command collect tribute in Lycia of Phormio, who, Stationing himself at and Caria is defiated Naupactus, guarded the straits and and slain. prevented any one from sailing either out of or into Corinth and the Crisaean Gulf. Six other vessels were sent to collect tribute in Lycia and Caria; they were under the command of Melesander, who was to see that Peloponnesian privateers did not establish them- selves in those parts, and damage merchant vessels coming from Phaselis and Phoenicia and all that region. But he, going up the country into Lycia with an army composed