History of the Peloponnesian War

This summer the Olympic games were[*](Ol. 90, 1; July 420 B.C.) held, in which Androsthenes an Arcadian won his first victory in the pancratium. The Lacedaemonians were excluded from the sanctuary by the Eleans, and so could neither sacrifice nor contend in the games, as they refused to pay the fine which had been assessed against them according to Olympic law by the Eleans, who alleged that they had attacked the Elean fortress of Phyrcus, and sent a force of their hoplites into Lepreum during the Olympic truce.[*](The month of the festival was sacred (ἱερομηνία) and all warfare was stopped for that time. To enter the territory of Elis with an armed force during that month was sacrilegious.) The fine was two thousand minas,[*](About £8,125 or $38,840.) two minas[*](About £8 2s. 6d. or $39.) for each hoplite, as the law ordains.

The Lacedaemonians sent envoys and urged that the fine had been unfairly imposed upon them, claiming that the treaty had not been announced at Lacedaemon when they sent the hoplites into Elis.

But the Eleans said that the truce was already in force in their country—for they proclaim it among themselves first —and while they were keeping quiet and not expecting any attack, as in time of truce, the Lacedaemonians had done