etreated in haste after losing many of their number. Word of this
reaching Athens, and the Athenians learning that the Mitylenians were
masters of the country and their own soldiers unable to hold them
in check, they sent out about the beginning of autumn Paches, son of
Epicurus, to take the command, and a thousand Athenian heavy infantry;
who worked their own passage and, arriving at Mitylene, built a single
wall all round it, forts being erected at some of the strongest points.
Mitylene was thus blockaded strictly on both sides, by land and by sea;
and winter now drew near.

The Athenians needing money for the siege, although they had for the
first time raised a contribution of two hundred talents from their own
citizens, now sent out twelve ships to levy subsidies from their allies,
with Lysicles and four others in command. After cruising to different
places and laying them under contribution, Lysicles went up the country
from Myus, in Caria, across the plain of the Meander, as far as the hill
of Sandius; and being attacked by the Carians and the people of Anaia,
was slain with many of his soldiers.

The same winter the Plataeans, who were still being besieged by the
Peloponnesians and Boeotians, distressed by the failure of their
provisions, and seeing no hope of relief from Athens, nor any other
means of safety, formed a scheme with the Athenians besieged with them
for escaping, if possible, by forcing their way over the enemy's walls;
the attempt having been suggested by Theaenetus, son of Tolmides, a
soothsayer, and Eupompides, son of Daimachus, one of their generals. At
first all were to join: afterwards, half hung back, thinking the risk
great; about two hundred and twenty, however, voluntarily persevered in
the attempt, which was carried out in the following way. Ladders were
made to match the height of the enemy's wall, which they measured by
the layers of bricks, the side turned towards them not being thoroughly
whitewashed. These were counted by many persons at once; and though some
might miss the right calculation, most would hit upon it, particularly
as they counted over and over again, and were no great way from the
wall, but could see it easily enough for their purpose. The length
required for the ladders was thus obtained, being calculated from the
breadth of the brick.

Now the wall of the Peloponnesians was constructed as follows. It
consisted of two lines drawn round the place, one against the Pla