Capture of Minôa, opposite Megara, by the Athenians under Nikias.—Nikias—his first introduction, position, and character.—Varying circumstances and condition of the oligarchical party at Athens.—Points of analogy between Nikias and Periklês—material differences.—Care of Nikias in maintaining his popularity and not giving offence; his very religious character.—His diligence in increasing his fortune—speculations in the mines of Laurium—letting out of slaves for hire.—Nikias first opposed to Kleon—next to Alkibiadês.—Oligarchical clubs, or Hetæries, at Athens, for political and judicial purposes.—Kleon—his real function that of opposition—real power inferior to Nikias.—Revival of the epidemic distemper at Athens for another year—atmospheric and terrestrial disturbances in Greece. Lacedæmonian invasion of Attica suspended for this year.—Foundation of the colony of Herakleia by the Lacedæmonians, near Thermopylæ—its numerous settlers, great promise, and unprosperous career.—Athenian expedition against Melos, under Nikias.—Proceedings of the Athenians under Demosthenês in Akarnania.—Expedition of Demosthenês against Ætolia—his large plans.—March of Demosthenês—impracticability of the territory of Ætolia.—rudeness and bravery of the inhabitants.—He is completely beaten and obliged to retire with loss.—Attack of Ætolians and Peloponnesians under Eurylochus upon Naupaktus.—Naupaktus is saved by Demosthenês and the Akarnanians.—Eurylochus, repulsed from Naupaktus, concerts with the Ambrakiots an attack on Argos.—Demosthenês and the Athenians, as well as the Akarnanians, come to the protection of Argos.—March of Eurylochus across Akarnania to join the Ambrakiots.—Their united army is defeated by Demosthenês at Olpæ—Eurylochus slain.—The surviving Spartan commander makes a separate capitulation for himself and the Peloponnesians, deserting the Ambrakiots.—The Ambrakiots sustain much loss in their retreat.—Another large body of Ambrakiots, coming from the city as a reinforcement, is intercepted by Demosthenês at Idomenê and cut to pieces.—Despair of the Ambrakiot herald on seeing the great number of slain.—Defenceless and feeble condition of Ambrakia after this ruinous loss.—Attempt to calculate the loss of the Ambrakiots.—Convention concluded between Ambrakia on one side, and the Akarnanians and Amphilochians on the other.—Return of Demosthenês in triumph to Athens.—Purification of Delos by the Athenians. Revival of the Delian festival with peculiar splendor. 285-313 CHAPTER LII. SEVENTH YEAR OF THE WAR.—CAPTURE OF SPHAKTERIA.