History of the Peloponnesian War

Then he anchored at Ephesus, where he was visited by envoys of the Samians who were settled at Anaea,[*](These were probably the Samians who settled at Anaea, on the coast opposite the island, after the overthrow of Samos in 439 B.C. (cf. 1.117.3). They are referred to in 3.19.2 as “Anaeitans.”) who said that it was an ill way he had of freeing Hellas, to destroy men who were not lifting their hands against him and were not enemies, but were merely allies of the Athenians under compulsion; and unless he abandoned this course he would win few enemies over into friendship and would turn far more friends into enemies.

Alcidas was persuaded, and set free all the Chians whom he still held and some of the others. It should be explained that the people of the coast,[*](ie. the Greeks of whom Alcidas had taken so many prisoners.) when they saw the Peloponnesian ships, made no attempt to flee, but came near, supposing that they were Athenian ships; and they had not the slightest expectation that while the Athenians dominated the sea the Peloponnesian fleet would ever venture over to Ionia.

From Ephesus Alcidas sailed in haste and took to flight; for while still at anchor near Clarus[*](ie. while on his way from Embatum to Ephesus.) he had been sighted by the Salaminia and Paralus,[*](The two swift Athenian state triremes kept always manned ready for extraordinary service. Alcidas knew that these two boats would notify the main Athenian fleet under Paches of his whereabouts, and that Paches would make pursuit.) which happened to be on a voyage from Athens, and in fear of pursuit he sailed through the open sea, determined that he would not, unless obliged to do so, put into land anywhere except in the Peloponnesus.