122.
But in the meantime came unto him in a galley Aristonymus for the Athenians and Athenaeus for the Lacedaemonians, that carried about the news of the truce.
Whereupon he sent away his army again to Torone:
[2]
and these men related unto Brasidas the articles of the agreement.
The confederates of the Lacedaemonians in Thrace approved of what was done;
and Aristonymus had in all other things satisfaction.
[3]
But for the Scionaeans, whose revolt by computation of the days he had found to be after the making of the truce, he denied that they were comprehended therein.
Brasidas said much in contradiction of this, and that the city revolted before the truce, and refused to render it.
But when Aristonymus had sent to Athens to inform them of the matter, the Athenians were ready presently to have sent an army against Scione.
[4]
The Lacedaemonians in the meantime sent ambassadors to the Athenians to tell them that they could not send an army against it without breach of the truce, and, upon Brasidas' word, challenged the city to belong unto them, offering themselves to the decision of law.
[5]
But the Athenians would by no means put the matter to judgment, but meant with all the speed they could make to send an army against it, being angry at the heart that it should come to this pass, that even islanders durst revolt and trust to the unprofitable help of the strength of the Lacedaemonians by land.
[6]
Besides, touching [the time of] the revolt, the Athenians had more truth on their side than themselves alleged;
for the revolt of the Scionaeans was after the truce two days.
Whereupon, by the advice of Cleon, they made a decree to take them by force and to put them all to the sword.
And, forbearing war in all places else, they prepared themselves only for that.
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Thucydides. Thomas Hobbes. translator. London. Bohn. 1843.
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