ce received him into Argilus, and revolted
from the Athenians, and that same night took him on to the bridge over
the river; where he found only a small guard to oppose him, the town
being at some distance from the passage, and the walls not reaching down
to it as at present. This guard he easily drove in, partly through
there being treason in their ranks, partly from the stormy state of the
weather and the suddenness of his attack, and so got across the
bridge, and immediately became master of all the property outside; the
Amphipolitans having houses all over the quarter.

The passage of Brasidas was a complete surprise to the people in the
town; and the capture of many of those outside, and the flight of the
rest within the wall, combined to produce great confusion among the
citizens; especially as they did not trust one another. It is even said
that if Brasidas, instead of stopping to pillage, had advanced straight
against the town, he would probably have taken it. In fact, however, he
established himself where he was and overran the country outside, and
for the present remained inactive, vainly awaiting a demonstration
on the part of his friends within. Meanwhile the party opposed to the
traitors proved numerous enough to prevent the gates being immediately
thrown open, and in concert with Eucles, the general, who had come
from Athens to defend the place, sent to the other commander in Thrace,
Thucydides, son of Olorus, the author of this history, who was at the
isle of Thasos, a Parian colony, half a day's sail from Amphipolis, to
tell him to come to their relief. On receipt of this message he at once
set sail with seven ships which he had with him, in order, if possible,
to reach Amphipolis in time to prevent its capitulation, or in any case
to save Eion.

Meanwhile Brasidas, afraid of succours arriving by sea from Thasos, and
learning that Thucydides possessed the right of working the gold
mines in that part of Thrace, and had thus great influence with the
inhabitants of the continent, hastened to gain the town, if possible,
before the people of Amphipolis should be encouraged by his arrival to
hope that he could save them by getting together a force of allies from
the sea and from Thrace, and so refuse to surrender. He accordingly
offered moderate terms, proclaiming that any of the Amphipolitans and
Athenians who chose, might continue to enjoy their property with full
rights of citizenship; while those who did