History of the Peloponnesian War

They then immediately despatched a second trireme with all haste, hoping that the first trireme, which had the start by about a day and a night, might not arrive first and the city be found destroyed.

The Mytilenaean envoys provided wine and barley for the crew and promised a large reward if they should arrive in time; and such was their haste on the voyage that they kept on rowing as they ate their barley-cakes, kneaded with wine and oil,[*](Usually the barley-meal was mixed with water and oil.) and took turns at sleeping and rowing.[*](A crew ordinary stopped for meal and rested at anchor at night.)

And since by good fortune no contrary wind arose, and the earlier ship was sailing in no hurry on so horrible a business, while the second pressed on in the manner described, although the former did in fact arrive first, so that Paches had just time enough to read the decree and was about to execute the orders, the second put in close after it and prevented the destruction of the city. By just so much did Mytilene escape its peril.

The rest of the men, however, whom Paches[*](Paches was accused of shameful deeds of violence towards Lesbian men and women (Agath. Epigr. lvii.), and when brought to trial committed suicide in the presence of his judges.) had sent to Athens as chief authors of the revolt, numbering somewhat more than a thousand,[*](On the ground that so large a number is incompatible with 3.28.1, 2; 3.35.1, Steup conjectures τρίακοντα (λ’ for ,λ).) were put to death by the Athenians on the motion of Cleon. They also pulled down the walls of Mytilene and took possession of the Mytilenaean fleet.

Afterawards, instead of imposing a tribute upon the Lesbians, they divided all the land except that of the Methymnaeans into three thousand allotments, and reserving three hundred of these as sacred to the gods they sent out Athenian colonists, chosen by lot. to occupy the rest. With these the Lesbians made an arrangement to pay a rental of two minas a year[*](The whole rental amounting to 90 talents; £18,000; $87,300.) for each lot, they themselves to cultivate the land.