Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/270

 154 ^-^^ PELOPONNESIANS ATTACK PLATAEA [ll country, when the Plataeans sent envoys to him bearing the following message : — 'Archidamus, and you Lacedaemonians, in making war Protest of the Pla- "PO" Plataea you are acting unjustly, taeans. and in a manner unworthy of yourselves Yoti are violating the ^^^ of your ancestors. Pausanias the promise of independence r r^ which Pausanias made son of Cleombrotus, the Lacedae- tis after the battle of monian, when he and such Hellenes as Plataea. were willing to share the danger with him fought a battle in our land and liberated Hellas from the Persian, offered up sacrifice in the Agora of Plataea to Zeus the God of Freedom, and in the presence of all the confederates then and there restored to the Plataeans their country and city to be henceforth independent ; no man was to make unjust war upon them at any time or to seek to enslave them ; and if they were attacked, the allies who were present promised that they would defend them to the utmost of their power. These privileges your fathers granted to us as a reward for the courage and devotion which we displayed in that time of danger. But you are acting in an opposite spirit ; for you have joined the Thebans, our worst enemies, and have come hither to enslave us. Wherefore, calling to witness the Gods to whom we all then swore, and also the Gods of your race and the Gods who dwell in our country, we bid you do no harm to the land of Plataea. Do not violate your oaths, but allow the Plataeans to be independent, and to enjoy the rights which Pausanias granted to them.' 72 To this appeal Archidamus rejoined : — ' What you say, Plataeans, is just, but your acts should ,, , ^ correspond to your words. Enjoy the Archtaamus offers .,, i.it-» peace if they unll either independence which Pausanias granted join the Lacedaemonian to you, but also assist US in freeing the confederacy or remain ^^^^^ Hellenes who Were your sworn neutral. . . ... -, , confederates in that time of danger and are now in subjection to the Athenians. With a view to the emancipation of them and of the other subject states,