Page 286 that were for breaking through the Guards in the Night, and so fly to Athens. In pursuance whereof, observing the darkness of the Night, those that were for Capitulating, were prevail'd with to assault a remote part of the Enemy's Wall; by which means, they who intended to break through the Guards (whilst their Enemies were busied in assisting their Fellows that were assaulted) scaled another part of the Wall (having got Ladders for that purpose) and kill'd the Guards, and so escap'd to Athens.
The next Day, the Lacedemonians were in great vexation at the escape of them out of the City, and brought their Forces close to the Walls, and bent all their Minds and Strength with all expedition to force the Place: Upon which, the Plateans being terrify'd, gave up both themselves and their City to the mercy of their Enemies.
But the Lacedemonian Commanders put this Question to every one that they sent for from among the Plateans, What good Offices or Services they had ever done to the Lacedemonians? And when one by one confessed they knew of none; they asked them again, Whether they had ever done the Spartans any harm? And when none deny'd that, they order'd them all to be slain; so that all that remain'd in the City, were put to the Sword, and the Town it self was raz'd to the Ground, and the Lands belonging to it let to farm. And thus the Inhabitants of Platea for their faithfulness to the Athenians, became involv'd in great Misery, and undeservedly perished.
Whilst these things were in doing, a great Sedition and civil Discord arose in Corcyra upon the following occasion: In the Battel at Epidamnum, many of the Corcyreans were taken Prisoners; and while they were in custody, they promis'd the Corinthians, that if they might be releas'd, they would undertake to deliver up Corcyra into their Hands. This was a very welcome and grateful Offer to the Corinthians. A considerable Number of Talents therefore being colourably procur'd from their Friends for their Redemption, they were all discharg'd.
As soon as they return'd into their Country, minding the performance of their Contract, they First seised upon the chief of the Citizens, (and especially those who could most influence the People,) and afterwards cut their Throats, and so quite dissolved the Democracy. But the Corcyreans were presently assisted by the Athenians, and recoverd their Liberty, and were resolved to execute Justice upon the Ringleaders of the Defection. But they (through fear of punishment) fled for refuge to the Altars of the Gods, and as Suppliants begg'd Pardon both of the Gods and the People.
Euthydemus was Governor of Athens, when Three Military Tribunes invested with Consular Power were again chosen at Rome, Marcus Fabius, Phalinius, and Lucius Sereulius. In their time the Plague broke out afresh, when they were freed from this Contagion but very lately before: It rag'd so exceedingly, that they lost Four Thousand Foot Soldiers, and Four Hundred Horse; and of others, Freemen and Servants, above Ten Thousand. And now because the Course of the History may require a Declaration of the Causes of this violent Distemper, it is necessary for us in this place to set them forth.
Abundance of Rain had fallen in the Winter, by reason whereof, the Earth being over-wet in many Places (especially in low and hollow Grounds) the Water lay like standing Pools; and those being corrupted and putrify'd by the heat of the Summer, thence proceeded a Mist of gross and stinking Vapours, which corrupted the Air, as it often happens about filthy Marishes. And besides, the want of good Food, much advanc'd the progress of the Disease, for the Year before, the Fruits by too much Rain were crude and unwholsom.
There was likewise a Third cause of this Distemper, which was this; the Etesian Winds this Summer blew not, by whose gentle Breezes, the violent heat of the Air was constantly allay'd before at other times; so that the Heat being now excessive, and the Air as it were inflam'd, Mens Bodies now wanting the usual Refreshment, contracted an evil Habit; from whence arose (through the vehement and immoderate heat) all sorts of burning Distempers. And hence it was, that many seiz'd with this Disease, to free themselves from the burning heat that was in their Bodies, cast themselves into Pits and Wells. But the Athenians judg'd that so grievous a Distemper was from God, and therefore according to the charge given them by the Oracle, they purg'd the Island Delos (which was formerly dedicated