Athenian constitution. These measures could not be taken without
public debate in the popular assembly, and such a method of procedure
rendered secrecy impossible. The Mytilenaeans received timely warning
of their danger, and keeping close within their walls, repaired the
weak places in their defences, and set a careful watch. Shortly
afterwards the Athenian fleet hove in sight. As the Mytilenaeans
refused to obey the summons delivered to them in the name of the
imperial people,--that they should raze their walls, and surrender
their ships,--hostilities commenced. But on neither side was much
vigour displayed, for the Athenian officers thought themselves too
weak to undertake any decisive operations with their present force,
and the Mytilenaeans desired to obtain a respite, to enable them to
obtain aid from Sparta. Accordingly they asked for an armistice,
pretending that they wished to plead their cause by their own
representatives before the Athenian assembly; and their request being
granted, they sent envoys to Athens, who made a show of carrying on
negotiations. And in the meantime a trireme was despatched in all
haste to carry their petition to Sparta.

On the return of the Mytilenaean envoys from Athens, where of course
they had accomplished nothing, the siege of Mytilene began in earnest.
The city was situated on a promontory facing the Asiatic coast on the
south-eastern side of the island, and had two harbours, on its
northern and southern side. Both of these harbours were now held in
close blockade by the Athenians, who established two camps, one on
either side of the town, and patrolled the harbour-mouths with their
ships. But on the land side the investment was not yet completed, so
that supplies could still be brought into the town from the island.
Reinforcements, however, came pouring into the Athenian quarters in
answer to a summons sent to the cities of the Athenian alliance, who