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24. During the same summer the Athenians, who were stationed with twenty of their ships at1 the island of Ladè2 and were watching the enemy in Miletus, made a descent upon Panormus in the Milesian territory. Chalcideus the Lacedaemonian general with a few followers came out3 to meet them, but was killed. Three days later they again sailed across and set up a trophy, which the Milesians pulled down, because the Athenian's were not really masters of the ground at the time when they erected it. [2] Leon and Diomedon, who were at Lesbos with the rest of the Athenian fleet, stationed their ships at the islands called Oenussae which lie in front of Chios, at Sidussa and Pteleum, which were forts held by them in the Erythraean territory, and at Lesbos itself, and carried on the war by sea against the Chians. [3] The marines whom they had on board were hoplites taken from the roll and compelled to serve. They made descents upon Cardamylè and Bolissus, and having defeated with heavy loss the Chians who came out to meet them, they devastated all that region. In another battle at Phanae they defeated them again, and in a third at Leuconium. Henceforward the Chians remained within their walls. The Athenians ravaged their country, which was well stocked, and from the Persian War until that time had never been touched by an invader. [4] No people as far as I know, except the Chians and Lacedaemonians (but the Chians not equally with the Lacedaemonians), have preserved moderation in prosperity, and in proportion as their city has gained in power have gained also in the stability of their administration. [5] In this revolt they may seem to have shown a want of prudence, yet they did not venture upon it until many brave allies were ready to share the peril with them, and until the Athenians themselves seemed to confess that after their calamity in Sicily the state of their affairs was hopelessly bad. And, if they were deceived through the uncertainty of human things, this error of judgment was common to many who, like them, believed that the Athenian power would speedily be overthrown. [6] But now that they were driven off the sea and saw their lands ravaged, some of their citizens undertook to bring back the city to the Athenians. The magistrates perceived their design, but instead of acting themselves, they sent to Erythrae for Astyochus the admiral. He came with four ships which he had on the spot, and they considered together by what means the conspiracy might be suppressed with the least violence, whether by taking hostages or in some other way.

1 The Athenians at Lade make a descent

2 Cp. 8.17 fin.

3 upon Miletus Chalcideus is slain. The Athenians at Lesbos carryon he war against the Chians, who are defeated in three battles and undergo great suffering.—Yet they had been very rich, and their government was wise and moderate. Nor was there any imprudence in their revolt. Owing to their losses a reaction now sets in which has to be suppressed their government was wise and moderate. Nor was there any imprudence in their revolt. Owing to their losses a reaction now sets in which has to be suppressed.

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