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116. In the following winter the Lacedaemonians had intended to make an expedition into the Argive1 territory, but finding that the sacrifices which they offered at the frontier were unfavourable2 they returned home. The Argives, suspecting that the threatened invasion was instigated by citizens of their own, apprehended some of them; others however escaped.

[2] About the same time the Melians took another part of the Athenian wall; for the fortifications3 were insufficiently guarded. [3] Whereupon the Athenians sent fresh troops, under the command of Philocrates the son of Demeas. The place was now closely invested, and there was treachery among the citizens themselves. So the Melians were induced to surrender at discretion. [4] The Athenians thereupon put to death all who were of military age, and made slaves of the women and children. They then colonised the island, sending thither five hundred settlers of their own.

1 The Lacedaemonians intending to invade Argolis are again deterred by the sacrifices.

2 Cp. 5.54, 55.

3 Melos taken and the male inhabitants put to death.

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  • Commentary references to this page (6):
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 2, 2.77
    • T. G. Tucker, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 8, 8.39
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.23
    • Harold North Fowler, Commentary on Thucydides Book 5, 5.54
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.118
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.64
  • Cross-references to this page (6):
  • Cross-references in notes to this page (2):
  • Cross-references in notes from this page (2):
    • Thucydides, Histories, 5.54
    • Thucydides, Histories, 5.55
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries to this page (3):
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