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conversing and reasoning； he had cooled the wishes of a good many
others for war； he now encouraged the hopes of the Lacedaemonians； and
counselled them to seek peace。 They confided in him； as on account
of his general character for moderation and equity； so； also；
because of the kindness and care he had shown to the prisoners taken
at Pylos and kept in confinement； making their misfortune the more
easy to them。
The Athenians and the Spartans had before this concluded a truce for
a year； and during this； by associating with one another； they had
tasted again the sweets of peace and security and unimpeded
intercourse with friends and connections； and thus longed for an end
of that fighting and bloodshed； and heard with delight the chorus sing
such verses as…
〃my lance I'll leave
Laid by； for spiders to o'erweave；〃
and remembered with joy the saying； In peace； they who sleep are
awaked by the cock…crow； not by the trumpet。 So shutting their ears；
with loud reproaches； to the forebodings of those who said that the
Fates decreed this to be a war of thrice nine years； the whole
question having been debated； they made a peace。 And most people
thought； now； indeed； they had got an end of all their evils。 And
Nicias was in every man's mouth； as one especially beloved of the
gods； who； for his piety and devotion； had been appointed to give a
name to the fairest and greatest of all blessings。 For in fact they
considered the peace Nicias's work； as the war the work of Pericles；
because he； on light occasions； seemed to have plunged the Greeks into
great calamities； while Nicias had induced them to forget all the
evils they had done each other and to be friends again； and so to this
day it is called the Peace of Nicias。
The articles being； that the garrisons and towns taken or； either
side and the prisoners should be restored； and they to restore the
first to whom it should fall by lot。 Nicias； as Theophrastus tells us；
by a sum of money procured that the lot should fall for the
Lacedaemonians to deliver the first。 Afterwards； when the
Corinthians and the Boeotians showed their dislike of what was done；
and by their complaints and accusations were well…nigh bringing the
war back again； Nicias persuaded the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians；
besides the peace； to make a treaty of alliance； offensive and
defensive； as a tie and confirmation of the peace； which would make
them more terrible to those that held out； and the firmer to each
other。 Whilst these matters were on foot； Alcibiades； who was no lover
of tranquillity； and who was offended with the Lacedaemonians
because of their applications and attentions to Nicias； while they
overlooked and despised himself； from first to last； indeed； had
opposed the peace； though all in vain； but now finding that the
Lacedaemonians did not altogether continue to please the Athenians；
but were thought to have acted unfairly in having made a league with
the Boeotians； and had not given up Panactum； as they should have
done； with its fortifications unrazed； nor yet Amphipolis； he laid
hold on these occasions for his purpose； and availed himself of
every one of them to irritate the people。 And； at length； sending
for ambassadors from the Argives； he exerted himself to effect a
confederacy between the Athenians and them。 And now； when
Lacedaemonian ambassadors were come with full powers； and at their
preliminary audience by the council seemed to come in all points
with just proposals； he； fearing that the general assembly； also；
would be won to their offers； overreached them with false
professions and oaths of assistance； on the condition that they
would not avow that they came with full powers； this； he said； being
the only way for them to attain their desires。 They being
over…persuaded and decoyed from Nicias to follow him； he introduced
them to the assembly； and asked them presently whether or no they came
in all points with full powers； which； when they denied； he；
contrary to their expectation； changing his countenance； called the
council to witness their words； and now bade the people beware how
they trust or transact anything with such manifest liars； who say at
one time one thing； and at another the very opposite upon the same
subject。 These plenipotentiaries were； as well they might be；
confounded at this； and Nicias； also being at a loss what to say；
and struck with amazement and wonder； the assembly resolved to send
immediately for the Argives； to enter into a league with them。 An
earthquake； which interrupted the assembly； made for Nicias's
advantage； and the next day the people being again assembled； after
much speaking and soliciting； with great ado he brought it about
that the treaty with the Argives should be deferred； and he be sent to
the Lacedaemonians； in full expectation that so all would go well。
When he arrived at Sparta； they received him there as a good man；
and one well inclined towards them； yet he effected nothing； but；
baffled by the party that favoured the Boeotians； he returned home；
not only dishonoured and hardly spoken of； but likewise in fear of the
Athenians； who were vexed and enraged that through his persuasions
they had released so many and such considerable persons； their
prisoners； for the men who had been brought from Pylos were of the
chiefest families of Sparta； and had those who were highest there in
place and power for their friends and kindred。 Yet did they not in
their heat proceed against him； otherwise than that they chose
Alcibiades general； and took the Mantineans and Eleans； who had thrown
up their alliance with the Lacedaemonians； into the league； together
with the Argives； and sent to Pylos freebooters to infest Laconia；
whereby the war began to break out afresh。
But the enmity betwixt Nicias and Alcibiades running higher and
higher； and the time being at hand for decreeing the ostracism or
banishment； for ten years； which the people； putting the name on a
sherd； were wont to inflict at certain times on some person
suspected or regarded with jealousy for his popularity or wealth； both
were now in alarm and apprehension； one of them； in all likelihood；
being to undergo this ostracism； as the people abominated the life
of Alcibiades； and stood in fear of his boldness and resolution； as is
shown particularly in the history of him； while as for Nicias； his
riches made him envied； and his habits of living； in particular his
unsociable and exclusive ways； not like those of a fellow…citizen；
or even a fellow…man； went against him； and having many times
opposed their inclinations； forcing them against their feelings to
do what was their interest； he had got himself disliked。
To speak plainly； it was a contest of the young men who were eager
for war； against the men of years and lovers of peace； they turning
the ostracism upon the one； these upon the other。 But…
〃In civil strife e'en villains rise to fame。〃
And so now it happened that the city； distracted into two factions；
allowed free course to the most impudent and profligate persons； among
whom was Hyperbolus of the Perithoedae； one who could not； inde