and property without the walls.—Parley between the Platæans and the Theban force without—the latter evacuate the territory—the Theban prisoners in Platæa are slain.—Messages from Platæa to Athens—answer.—Grecian feeling, already predisposed to the war, was wound up to the highest pitch by the striking incident at Platæa.—Preparations for war on the part of Athens—intimations sent round to her allies—Akarnanians recently acquired by Athens as allies—recent capture of the Amphilochian Argos by the Athenian Phormio.—Strength and resources of Athens and her allies—military and naval means—treasure.—Ample grounds for the confidence expressed by Periklês in the result.—Position and power of Sparta and the Peloponnesian allies—they are full of hope and confidence of putting down Athens speedily.—Efforts of Sparta to get up a naval force.—Muster of the combined Peloponnesian force at the isthmus of Corinth, under Archidamus, to invade Attica.—Last envoy sent to Athens—he is dismissed without being allowed to enter the town.—March of Archidamus into Attica—his fruitless siege of Œnoê.—Expectation of Archidamus that Athens would yield at the last moment.—Difficulty of Periklês in persuading the Athenians to abandon their territory and see it all ravaged.—Attica deserted—the population flock within the walls of Athens. Hardships, privations, and distress endured.—March of Archidamus into Attica.—Archidamus advances to Acharnæ, within seven miles of Athens.—Intense clamor within the walls of Athens—eagerness to go forth and fight.—Trying position, firmness, and sustained ascendency, of Periklês, in dissuading them from going forth.—The Athenians remain within their walls: partial skirmishes only, no general action.—Athenian fleet is despatched to ravage the coasts of Peloponnesus—first notice of the Spartan Brasidas—operations of the Athenians in Akarnania, Kephallênia, etc.—The Athenians expel the Æginetans from Ægina, and people the island with Athenian kleruchs. The Æginetans settle at Thyrea in Peloponnesus.—The Athenians invade and ravage the Megarid: sufferings of the Megarians.—Measures taken by Athens for permanent defence.—Sum put by in the acropolis, against urgent need, not to be touched unless under certain defined dangers.—Capital punishment against any who should propose otherwise.—Remarks on this decree.—Blockade of Potidæa—Sitalkês king of the Odrysian Thracians—alliance made between him and Athens.—Periklês is chosen orator to deliver the funeral discourse over the citizens slain during the year.—Funeral oration of Periklês.—Sketch of Athenian political constitution, and social life, as conceived by Periklês.—Eulogy upon Athens and the Athenian character.—Mutual tolerance of diversity of tastes and pursuits in Athens.—It is only true partially and in some memorable instances that the state interfered to an exorbitant degree with individual