Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/351

 6g, 70] THE CORCYRAEAN SEDITION 035 triremes, and Brasidas the son of Tellis, who had been sent out as a commissioner to advise Alcidas. The Lace- daemonians at home, after the faiku-e of tlieir attempt on Lesbos, had determined to increase their navy and sail to Corcyra, which was in a state of revolution. The Athenian squadron at Naupactus consisted of twelve ships only, and the Lacedaemonians wanted to reach the island before any more vessels could arrive from Athens. Brasidas and Alcidas made their preparations accordingly. Now Corc3Ta had been in an unsettled state ever since 70 the return of the prisoners who were ^, , • I T-> • 1 • Unsettled state of taken at sea m the Epidamnian war^ Corcyra, onginattng in and afterwards released by the Cor- Hie intngues of the inthians. They were nominally let out /'^""f^ '^'"^ ^'«^' ^-, ., - . . , , turned f I oni Conntli. on bail tor a sum of eight hundred talents'' on the security of their proxeni, but in reality they had been induced to try and gain over Corcyra to the Corinthian interest. They went from one citizen to another, and did their best with them to bring about a revolt from Athens. On the arrival of an Athenian and also of a Corinthian vessel conveying ambassadors, there was a discussion in the assembly, and the Corcyraeans voted that the3' would continue allies of Athens according to their agreement ^, but would renew their former friend- ship with the Peloponnesians. A certain Peithias, who voluntarily acted as the proxenus of Trialof Peithias, the the Athenians and v/as the popular popular leader. His , J J 1 iU i- acquittal. Trial of the leader, was summoned by the partisans J„^^.^j^^^ „„,/ „„,„/„. of the Peloponnesians to take his trial, of PdUnas and of sixty they affirming that he wanted to bring others. Corcyra under the yoke of Athens. He was acquitted, and then he in turn summoned their five richest men, declaring that they were in the habit of cutting poles for vines in the sacred precinct of Zeus and Alcinous ; now " Cp. i. 55 med. ** ;^i6o,ooo. "^ Cp. 1. 44.