to Peiraeus, and inflicted terrible injury on Athens. But it was now
too late, for the Athenians, as soon as the news was brought, had
marched down with their whole military force to Peiraeus, and occupied
every assailable point in the harbour, while at the same time every
ship in the docks was launched and manned, and sent off in headlong
haste to Salamis.

By this time it was broad daylight, and the Peloponnesians, being
warned that a rescue was on the way from Peiraeus, made off with their
booty, and getting, on board their ships, sailed back to Nisaea. They
had the more reason for hastening their departure, as the Megarian
ships which had carried them to Salamis, having lain a long while in
dry-dock, were leaky and unseaworthy; for the harbour of Megara had
for some time past been kept in close blockade by the Athenians.

This memorable incident, following close on the brilliant victories of
Phormio, taught the Athenians to take better precautions for the
future. Hitherto they would have scoffed at the suggestion that their
own arsenals and dockyards were exposed to attack. But now they
provided for the safety of Peiraeus by closing the harbours and
keeping a vigilant watch. And that terrible night left an impression
on their minds which was not soon forgotten.




THE REVOLT OF LESBOS

I