Page 280 And now being join'd with the Peloponesians, and having rais'd a Land-Army from several Parts, and prepared with all things necessary for War, they first begin. At that time in Beotia the City Platea was a free City, in league with the Athenians: But some of the Citizens designing to enslave the Place, in contrivance with the Beotians promis'd to bring the City under their Power if they would but send them a Guard of Souldiers. The Beotians therefore sent Three Hundred Souldiers in the Night to Platea, who being let into the Gates, the Traytors deliver'd up the City into their Hands. But the Plateans willing to approve their Faithfulness to the Athenians (at first thinking that the whole Army of the Thebans were entr'd) sent Embassadors to them to treat and make Terms: But when Day appear'd, and they of Platea understood how small a Number the Enemy was, they all as one Man came upon them, and Fought with great resolution for their Common Liberty. But because the Fight was in the Streets, the Thebans being better Souldiers at the first destroy'd many of the Plateans: But afterwards they in the Houses, even the very Boys and Children by throwing down Tyles from the Roofs so sorely gall'd the Thebans that they were forc'd to fly; that part of them who got out of the City clearly escap'd, but another part that fled for shelter to a little House, at length were compell'd to give up themselves to the will of the Enemy.
The Thebans being inform'd by them that had escap'd, of this misfortune, with all their force hasten'd to the City: By reason of which suddain incursion many of them who liv'd in the Country, and those abroad being taken at unawares, were kill'd and many Prisoners taken; the whole Country being fill'd with Fears Devastations and Robberies. In the mean time the Plateans sent to the Thebans to intreat them to depart out of their Coasts, promising they would release the Prisoners. Upon which conditions the Matter was Compos'd; and the Thebans receiv'd the Captives and restor'd the Plunder to them of Platea, and so return'd home. The Plateans had sometime before sent to Athens for Aid, and had brought much of their Goods out of the Country into the City: The Athenians hearing of their Distress hastned away to them a competent Number of Souldiers, who tho' they March'd with all expedition, yet they could not prevent the Thebans: But what was left in the Country they brought into the Town: The Women and Children and those that were infirm, they got together in a Body, and convey'd them to Athens.
Hereupon the Lacedemonians judging the Athenians had broke the League, gather'd Forces together from all parts both from Sparta and from the rest of the Peloponesians. The Confederats of the Lacedemonians were the Peloponesians wholly, except the Argives, for they then stood Neuters. Those out of Peloponesus were the Megareans, Ambraciots, Leucadians, Phocians, Beotians, many of the Locrians over against Eubea, and the rest those of Amphissa. Those that sided with the Athenians were the Inhabitants of the Sea-Coasts of Asia, the Carians, Dorians, Ionians, them of the Hellespont, and all the Islanders, except the Inhabitants of Melus and Thera. The Thracians likewise were their Confederats, except those of Calcidica and Potidea. Besides these there join'd with the Athenians the Messenians in Naupactus, and the Corcyreans. All the rest sent Land-Forces. These Confederats stood firm on both sides.
The Lacedemonians having at length rais'd a great Army, made Archidamus their King, General, who made an Irruption into Attica, besieg'd their Castles, and wasted a great part of the Country. The Athenians inflamed with desire of Revenge for this Destruction of their Country, were eager to be out to Fight their Enemies; but Pericles the General advis'd the hot Youths to forbear a while, telling them that he would drive the Spartans out without Fighting. To this end he fitted out an hundred Gallies well Man'd, and gave the command of the Fleet to Carcinus and some other Officers, with order to make a descent into Peloponesus. Accordingly they laid wast a great part of the Sea-Coasts, took several Castles, and struck the Lacedemonians with great Consternation. So that without delay they withdrew their Forces out of Attica, and made it their chief care now to defend Peloponesus. The Athenians now freed by this ingenious Contrivance from their Enemies, highly Honour'd Pericles as a wise Commander and one able to carry on the War against the Lacedemonians.
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.