arise.
In short, as is the way of a democracy, in the panic of the moment they
were ready to be as prudent as possible.

These resolves were at once carried into effect. Summer was now over.
The winter ensuing saw all Hellas stirring under the impression of
the great Athenian disaster in Sicily. Neutrals now felt that even if
uninvited they ought no longer to stand aloof from the war, but should
volunteer to march against the Athenians, who, as they severally
reflected, would probably have come against them if the Sicilian
campaign had succeeded. Besides, they considered that the war would now
be short, and that it would be creditable for them to take part in it.
Meanwhile the allies of the Lacedaemonians felt all more anxious than
ever to see a speedy end to their heavy labours. But above all, the
subjects of the Athenians showed a readiness to revolt even beyond their
ability, judging the circumstances with passion, and refusing even to
hear of the Athenians being able to last out the coming summer. Beyond
all this, Lacedaemon was encouraged by the near prospect of being joined
in great force in the spring by her allies in Sicily, lately forced by
events to acquire their navy. With these reasons for confidence in every
quarter, the Lacedaemonians now resolved to throw themselves without
reserve into the war, considering that, once it was happily terminated,
they would be finally delivered from such dangers as that which would
have threatened them from Athens, if she had become mistress of Sicily,
and that the overthrow of the Athenians would leave them in quiet
enjoyment of the supremacy over all Hellas.

Their king, Agis, accordingly set out at once during this winter with
some troops from Decelea, and levied from the allies contributions for
the fleet, and turning towards the Malian Gulf exacted a sum of money
from the Oetaeans by carrying off most of their cattle in reprisal for
their old hostility, and, in spite of the protests and opposition of the
Thessalians, forced the Achaeans of Phthiotis and the other subjects
of the Thessalians in those parts to give him money and hostages, and
deposited the hostages at Corinth, and tried to bring their countrymen
into the confederacy. The Lacedaemonians now issued a requisition to the
cities for building a hundred ships, fixing their own quota and that
of the Boeotians at twenty-five each; that of the Phocians and Locrians
together at fifteen; that of the Corinthians at