e was no later news. Thus the Athenians sent orders
in ignorance of the facts; and the herald on his arrival found the
men slain. After this the Athenians marched to Plataea and brought in
provisions, and left a garrison in the place, also taking away the women
and children and such of the men as were least efficient.

After the affair at Plataea, the treaty had been broken by an overt
act, and Athens at once prepared for war, as did also Lacedaemon and her
allies. They resolved to send embassies to the King and to such other of
the barbarian powers as either party could look to for assistance,
and tried to ally themselves with the independent states at home.
Lacedaemon, in addition to the existing marine, gave orders to the
states that had declared for her in Italy and Sicily to build vessels
up to a grand total of five hundred, the quota of each city being
determined by its size, and also to provide a specified sum of money.
Till these were ready they were to remain neutral and to admit single
Athenian ships into their harbours. Athens on her part reviewed her
existing confederacy, and sent embassies to the places more
immediately round Peloponnese--Corcyra, Cephallenia, Acarnania, and
Zacynthus--perceiving that if these could be relied on she could carry
the war all round Peloponnese.

And if both sides nourished the boldest hopes and put forth their utmost
strength for the war, this was only natural. Zeal is always at its
height at the commencement of an undertaking; and on this particular
occasion Peloponnese and Athens were both full of young men whose
inexperience made them eager to take up arms, while the rest of Hellas
stood straining with excitement at the conflict of its leading cities.
Everywhere predictions were being recited and oracles being chanted
by such persons as collect them, and this not only in the contending
cities. Further, some while before this, there was an earthquake at
Delos, for the first time in the memory of the Hellenes. This was said
and thought to be ominous of the events impending; indeed, nothing of
the kind that happened was allowed to pass without remark. The good
wishes of men made greatly for the Lacedaemonians, especially as they
proclaimed themselves the liberators of Hellas. No private or public
effort that could help them in speech or action was omitted; each
thinking that the cause suffered wherever he could not himself see to
it. So general was the indignation felt agains