Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/344

 336 ALL HELLAS UP IN ARMS [vill way. They would procure timber and money by whatever means they might, and build a navy. They would make sure of their allies, and above all of Euboea. Expenses in the city were to be economised, and they were to choose a council of the elder men, who should advise together, and lay before the people the measures which from time to time might be required. After the manner of a democracy, they were very amenable to discipline while their fright lasted. They proceeded to carry out these resolutions. And so the summer ended. 2 During the following winter all Hellas was stirred by ^,. ,, , the great ov'erthrow of the Athenians 1 he tieittral states,. . the Lacedaemonian aud m ^'cily. I he States which had been Athenian allies, are all neutral determined that the time had alike eager to have a ^ome when, invited or not, they could share tn a war which •' appca>s to be nearly at "^ longer Stand aloof from the war ; an end and to involve they must of their own accord attack no danger. Hopes of tj^^ Athenians. They considered, one the Lacedaemonians. i n i .,- and all, that if the Sicilian expedition had succeeded, they would sooner or later have been attacked by them. The war would not last long, and they might as well share in the glory of it. The Lacedaemonian allies, animated by a common feeling, were more eager than ever to make a speedy end of their great hardships. But none showed greater alacrity than the subjects of the Athenians, who were everywhere willing even beyond their power to revolt; for they judged by their excited feelings*, and would not admit a possibility that the Athenians could survive another summer. To the Lace- daemonians themselves all this was most encouraging ; and they had in addition the prospect that their allies from Sicily would join them at the beginning of spring with a large force of ships as well as men ; necessity having at last compelled them to become a naval power. Every- thing looked hopeful, and they determined to strike promptly and vigorously. They considered that by the ■ Cp. iv. io8 med.