Short, but warlike appeal of the Ephor Stheneläidas.—Vote of the Spartan assembly in favor of war.—The Spartans send to Delphi—obtain an encouraging reply.—General congress of allies at Sparta. Second speech of the Corinthian envoys, enforcing the necessity and propriety of war.—Vote of the majority of the allies in favor of war, B.C. 432.—Views and motives of the opposing powers.—The hopes and confidence, on the side of Sparta; the fears, on the side of Athens. Heralds sent from Sparta to Athens with complaints and requisitions meanwhile the preparations for war go on.—Requisitions addressed by Sparta to Athens—demand for the expulsion of the Alkmæonidæ as impious—aimed at Periklês.—Position of Periklês at Athens: bitter hostility of his political opponents: attacks made upon him.—Prosecution of Aspasia. Her character and accomplishments.—Family relations of Periklês—his connection with Aspasia. License of the comic writers in their attacks upon both.—Prosecution of Anaxagoras the philosopher as well as of Aspasia—Anaxagoras retires from Athens—Periklês defends Aspasia before the dikastery, and obtains her acquittal.—Prosecution of the sculptor Pheidias for embezzlement—instituted by the political opponents of Periklês.—Charge of peculation against Periklês himself.—Probability that Periklês was never even tried for peculation, certainly that he was never found guilty of it.—Requisition from the Lacedæmonians, for the banishment of Periklês—arrived when Periklês was thus pressed by his political enemies—rejected.—Counter-requisition sent by the Athenians to Sparta, for expiation of sacrilege.—Fresh requisitions sent from Sparta to Athens—to withdraw the troops from Potidæa—to leave Ægina free—to readmit the Megarians to Athenian harbors.—Final and peremptory requisition of Sparta—public assembly held at Athens on the whole subject of war and peace.—Great difference of opinion in the assembly—important speech of Periklês.—Periklês strenuously urges the Athenians not to yield.—His review of the comparative forces, and probable chances of success or defeat, in the war.—The assembly adopts the recommendation of Periklês—firm and determined reply sent to Sparta.—Views of Thucydidês respecting the grounds, feelings, and projects of the two parties now about to embark in war.—Equivocal period—war not yet proclaimed—first blow struck, not by Athens, but by her enemies.—Open violation of the truce by the Thebans—they surprise Platæa in the night.—The gates of Platæa are opened by an oligarchical party within—a Theban detachment are admitted into the agora at night—at first apparently successful, afterwards overpowered and captured.—Large force intended to arrive from Thebes to support the assailants early in the morning—they are delayed by the rain and the swelling of the Asôpus—they commence hostilities against the Platæan persons