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73.
Upon hearing these words the envoys again returned into the city,1 and, after holding a consultation with the people, told Archidamus that they
wished first to communicate his proposals to the Athenians, and if they could get
their consent they would do as he advised; in the meantime they desired
him to make a truce with them, and not to ravage their land.
So he made a truce which allowed sufficient time for their ambassadors to return from
Athens;
[2]
and meanwhile he spared their land.
[3]
The Plataean envoys came to Athens, and after advising with the Athenians they brought
back the following message to their fellow-citizens:— 'Plataeans, the
Athenians say that never at any time since you first became their allies2 have they suffered any one to do
you wrong, and that they will not forsake you now, but will assist you to the utmost of
their power; and they adjure you, by the oaths which your fathers swore, not to forsake
the Athenian alliance.'
1 The Plateans, obtaining permission to consult the Athenians, are encouraged by them to resist.
Thucydides translated into English; with introduction, marginal analysis, notes, and indices. Volume 1. Thucydides. Benjamin Jowett. translator. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1881.
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