might even banish Pericles, if their consciences were suddenly
alarmed. And though this was not likely, the Spartans hoped at any
rate to lessen his influence, which was adverse to themselves, and
fasten on him the odium of being, in some sense, the cause of the war.
But their manoeuvre was unsuccessful, and the Athenians retorted by
bidding the Spartans drive out the curse of Taenarus, in allusion to
the murder of certain Helots who had taken sanctuary in the temple of
Poseidon at Taenarus. And they further charged the Spartans to rid
themselves of the curse of Athene of the Brazen House. This was a holy
place in Sparta, where Pausanias, when convicted of treasonable
correspondence with Persia, had sought refuge from the vengeance of
the Spartans. He was kept a close prisoner in the temple by the
Ephors, who set a watch on him, to prevent him from being supplied
with food, and when he was reduced to the last extremity, brought him
out to die. But though his death occurred outside the temple, this did
not save them from the sin of sacrilege, and a public reprimand by the
Delphic God.

The game of diplomatic fencing went on for some time, and envoys were
continually passing to and fro between Athens and Sparta. The
Athenians were required to raise the siege of Potidaea--to allow the
Aeginetans to govern themselves--to rescind the decree against Megara;
and when all these demands were met by a firm refusal, the Spartans
sent two ambassadors, bearing their ultimatum, which was worded as
follows: "The Lacedaemonians wish that there should be peace, and war
may be averted if ye will let the Greeks go free." Knowing that the
decisive moment had now arrived, the Athenians met together in full
assembly, to decide on their final answer. There were many speakers on
either side, some arguing for peace, others for war: and then was
heard that majestic voice, which, for more than thirty years, had