Thucydidês by the Athenians—grounds of that sentence.—He justly incurred their verdict of guilty.—Preparations of Brasidas in Amphipolis for extended conquest—his operations against the Aktê, or promontory of Athos.—He attacks Torônê in the Sithonian peninsula—he is admitted into the town by an internal party—surprises and takes it.—Some part of the population, with the small Athenian garrison, retire to the separate citadel called Lêkythus.—Conciliating address of Brasidas to the assembly at Torônê.—He attacks Lêkythus and takes it by storm.—Personal ability and conciliatory efficiency of Brasidas. 363-425 CHAPTER LIV. TRUCE FOR ONE YEAR.—RENEWAL OF WAR AND BATTLE OF AMPHIPOLIS.—PEACE OF NIKIAS. Eighth year of the war—began with most favorable promise for Athens—closed with great reverses to her.—Desire of Spartans to make peace in order to regain the captives—they decline sending reinforcements to Brasidas.—King Pleistoanax at Sparta—eager for peace—his special reasons—his long banishment recently terminated by recall.—Negotiations during the winter of 424-423 B.C. for peace.—Truce for one year concluded, in March 423 B.C.—Conditions of the truce.—Resolution to open negotiations for a definitive treaty.—New events in Thrace—revolt of Skiônê from Athens to Brasidas, two days after the truce was sworn.—Brasidas crosses over to Skiônê—his judicious conduct—enthusiastic admiration for him there.—Brasidas brings across reinforcements to Skiônê—he conveys away the women and children into a place of safety.—Commissioners from Sparta and Athens arrive in Thrace, to announce to Brasidas the truce just concluded. Dispute respecting Skiônê. The war continues in Thrace, but is suspended everywhere else.—Revolt of Mendê from Athens—Brasidas receives the offers of the Mendæans—engages to protect them and sends to them a garrison against Athens. He departs upon an expedition against Arrhibæus in the interior of Macedonia.—Nikias and Nikostratus arrive with an Athenian armament in Pallênê. They attack Mendê. The Lacedæmonian garrison under Polydamidas at first repulses them.—Dissensions among the citizens of Mendê—mutiny of the Demos against Polydamidas—the Athenians are admitted into the town.—The Athenians besiege and blockade Skiônê. Nikias leaves a blockading force there, and returns to Athens.—Expedition of Brasidas along with Perdikkas into Macedonia against Arrhibæus.—Retreat of Brasidas and Perdikkas before the Illyrians.—Address of Brasidas to his soldiers before the retreat.—Contrast between Grecian and barbaric military feeling.—Appeal of Brasidas to the right of conquest or superior force.—The Illyrians attack Brasidas in his retreat, but are repulsed.—Breach between Brasidas and Perdikkas: the latter opens negotiations with the Athenians.—Relations between Athens and the Peloponnesians—no