conclusion we say that we did not surrender our city to the Thebans (to
that we would have preferred inglorious starvation), but trusted in and
capitulated to you; and it would be just, if we fail to persuade you, to
put us back in the same position and let us take the chance that falls
to us. And at the same time we adjure you not to give us up--your
suppliants, Lacedaemonians, out of your hands and faith, Plataeans
foremost of the Hellenic patriots, to Thebans, our most hated
enemies--but to be our saviours, and not, while you free the rest of the
Hellenes, to bring us to destruction."

Such were the words of the Plataeans. The Thebans, afraid that the
Lacedaemonians might be moved by what they had heard, came forward and
said that they too desired to address them, since the Plataeans had,
against their wish, been allowed to speak at length instead of being
confined to a simple answer to the question. Leave being granted, the
Thebans spoke as follows:

"We should never have asked to make this speech if the Plataeans on
their side had contented themselves with shortly answering the question,
and had not turned round and made charges against us, coupled with a
long defence of themselves upon matters outside the present inquiry and
not even the subject of accusation, and with praise of what no one
finds fault with. However, since they have done so, we must answer their
charges and refute their self-praise, in order that neither our bad name
nor their good may help them, but that you may hear the real truth on
both points, and so decide.

"The origin of our quarrel was this. We settled Plataea some time after
the rest of Boeotia, together with other places out of which we had
driven the mixed population. The Plataeans not choosing to recognize our
supremacy, as had been first arranged, but separating themselves from
the rest of the Boeotians, and proving traitors to their nationality,
we used compulsion; upon which they went over to the Athenians, and with
them did as much harm, for which we retaliated.

"Next, when the barbarian invaded Hellas, they say that they were the
only Boeotians who did not Medize; and this is where they most glorify
themselves and abuse us. We say that if they did not Medize, it was
because the Athenians did not do so either; just as afterwards when the
Athenians attacked the Hellenes they, the Plataeans, were again the only
Boeotians who Atticized. And yet consider the forms of our respect