44. So in the naval battle they conducted themselves thus and incurred
the greatest part of the danger, and by their own valor gained freedom
for themselves and the rest. Afterwards when the Peloponnesians were
putting a wall across the Isthmus and were content with their own safety,
supposing they were rid of the danger by sea, and intending to watch the
rest of the Greeks falling into the power of the barbarians, (45) the
Athenians were angry and advised them if they had this idea to put a wall
about all the Peloponnesus; for if they, betrayed by the Greeks, should
act with the Persians, they would have no need of their thousand ships,
nor would the Isthmian wall help the Peloponnesians. For the control of
the sea would be the king's without trouble. 46. And they were convinced
and realized they were doing wrong and making poor plans, and that the
Athenians spoke fairly and were giving them the best advice, and so they
sent aid to Plataea. And when most of the allies under cover of night
fled from the ranks because of the numbers of the enemy, the
Lacedaemonians and the Tegeans put the barbarians to flight, and the
Athenians and the Plataeans conquered in the fight all the Greeks who had
despaired of freedom and submitted to slavery. 47. And on that day they
brought about the most glorious conclusion of all their trials, and
secured freedom for Europe, and in all times of danger they are
acknowledged by all, both those with whom and against whom they fought,
to have proved their own valor, both alone and with others, both on land
and on sea, against barbarians and Greeks, and to have become the leaders
of Greece.

48. Later, when the Greek war broke out through jealousy as to the past
and envy of what was done, while all were envious and each needed but
small grievances, when a naval battle was fought by the Athenians against
the Aeginetans and their allies, they took seventy triremes. 49. And
while they were struggling with Egypt and Aegina at the same time, and