36.
When the captives arrived at Athens the Athenians instantly put Salaethus to death,
although1 he made various offers, and among other things promised to procure the
withdrawal of the Peloponnesians from Plataea, which was still blockaded.
[2]
Concerning the other captives a discussion was held, and in their indignation the
Athenians determined to put to death not only the men then at Athens, but all the
grown-up citizens of Mytilenè, and to enslave the women and children; the act
of the Mytilenaeans appeared inexcusable, because they were not subjects like the other
states which had revolted, but free.
That Peloponnesian ships should have had the audacity to find their way to Ionia and
assist the rebels contributed to increase their fury; and the action showed that the
revolt2 was a long
premeditated affairs3.
[3]
So they sent a trireme to Paches announcing their determination, and bidding him put
the Mytilenaeans to death at once.
[4]
But on the following day a kind of remorse seized them; they began to reflect that a
decree which doomed to destruction not only the guilty, but a whole city, was cruel and
monstrous.
[5]
The Mytilenaean envoys who were at Athens4 perceived the change of feeling, and they and the Athenians who were in their
interest prevailed on the magistrates to bring the question again before the people;
this they were the more willing to do, because they saw themselves that the majority of
the citizens were anxious to have an opportunity given them of reconsidering their decision.
[6]
An assembly was again summoned, and different opinions were expressed by different
speakers.
In the former assembly, Cleon the son of Cleaenetus had carried the decree condemning
the Mytilenaeans to death.
He was the most violent of the citizens, and at that time exercised by far the greatest
influence5 over the people6.
And now he came forward a second time and spoke as follows:—
1 The Athenians put Salaethus to death and order the slaughter of all the grown-up citizens of Mytilenè, On the next day they begin to repent, and the Mytilenaean envoys persuade the magistrates to call another assembly
2 Or, 'was part of an extensive scheme.'
3 Or, 'was part of an extensive scheme.'
5 Speech of Cleon.
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