History of the Peloponnesian War

It happened also that the thirty years' truce with the Argives was on the point of expiring,[*](It expired the next year (cf. 5.28.2), and therefore dated from 457 B.C.) and the Argives were unwilling to make another treaty unless the territory of Cynuria[*](cf. 4.56.2.) were restored to them; and it seemed impossible to carry on the war with the Argives and the Athenians at the same time. Besides, they suspected that some of the cities in the Peloponnesus would revolt to the Argives, as indeed did happen.

In consideration of these things, both parties thought it advisable to come to an agreement, especially the Lacedaemonians, because of their desire to recover the men captured at Sphacteria; for the Spartiates among these were men of high rank and all alike kinsmen of theirs.[*](i.e., of the Lacedaemonians in authority. The Spartiates formed a clan; besides their common descent, they were closely connected by intermarriage. Or reading, with the schol., ἦσαν γὰρ ο ἵ σπαρτιᾶται αὐτῶν κτλ., “for there were among them some Spartiates of the first rank and related to the most distinguished families.”)

Accordingly, they began negotiations directly after their capture, but the Athenians were not at all inclined, as long as they were getting on well, to make a settlement on fair terms. When, however, the Athenians were defeated at Delium, the Lacedaemonians knew immediately that they would now be more ready to accept offers, and they concluded the truce for a year, during which they were to come together and consult about a treaty for a longer period.