lso to keep a tight
rein on their allies--the strength of Athens being derived from the
money brought in by their payments, and success in war depending
principally upon conduct and capital, had no reason to despond. Apart
from other sources of income, an average revenue of six hundred talents
of silver was drawn from the tribute of the allies; and there were still
six thousand talents of coined silver in the Acropolis, out of nine
thousand seven hundred that had once been there, from which the
money had been taken for the porch of the Acropolis, the other public
buildings, and for Potidaea. This did not include the uncoined gold
and silver in public and private offerings, the sacred vessels for the
processions and games, the Median spoils, and similar resources to the
amount of five hundred talents. To this he added the treasures of the
other temples. These were by no means inconsiderable, and might fairly
be used. Nay, if they were ever absolutely driven to it, they might
take even the gold ornaments of Athene herself; for the statue contained
forty talents of pure gold and it was all removable. This might be used
for self-preservation, and must every penny of it be restored. Such was
their financial position--surely a satisfactory one. Then they had an
army of thirteen thousand heavy infantry, besides sixteen thousand
more in the garrisons and on home duty at Athens. This was at first the
number of men on guard in the event of an invasion: it was composed of
the oldest and youngest levies and the resident aliens who had heavy
armour. The Phaleric wall ran for four miles, before it joined that
round the city; and of this last nearly five had a guard, although part
of it was left without one, viz., that between the Long Wall and the
Phaleric. Then there were the Long Walls to Piraeus, a distance of
some four miles and a half, the outer of which was manned. Lastly, the
circumference of Piraeus with Munychia was nearly seven miles and a
half; only half of this, however, was guarded. Pericles also showed
them that they had twelve hundred horse including mounted archers, with
sixteen hundred archers unmounted, and three hundred galleys fit for
service. Such were the resources of Athens in the different departments
when the Peloponnesian invasion was impending and hostilities were
being commenced. Pericles also urged his usual arguments for expecting a
favourable issue to the war.

The Athenians listened to his advice, and