History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
XI explained
The chapter covers the sixth year of the Peloponnesian War, including the second outbreak of the plague in Athens, earthquakes and tidal waves, Athenian operations in Sicily and the Aeolian islands, the purification of Delos and revival of
What happens
The chapter covers the sixth year of the Peloponnesian War, including the second outbreak of the plague in Athens, earthquakes and tidal waves, Athenian operations in Sicily and the Aeolian islands, the purification of Delos and revival of the Delian games, the campaign of Demosthenes in western Greece, and the siege of Melos by Nicias.
Themes in this chapter
War and Its Consequences
The chapter details the devastating second plague in Athens, earthquakes, and military campaigns that erode Athenian power and morale.
Leadership and Strategy
Contrasts the cautious approach of Nicias at Melos with the more aggressive operations of Demosthenes and Laches in western Greece and Sicily.
Fate and Human Agency
Natural disasters (plague, earthquakes, tidal waves) are presented as forces beyond human control that shape the course of the war.
Identity and Ethnicity
The purification of Delos and revival of the Delian games emphasize Athenian claims to Ionian heritage and religious leadership.
Characters to notice
- Nicias
Leads an Athenian expedition with 60 ships and 2,000 heavy infantry against Melos.
- Demosthenes
Sent with 30 ships around Peloponnese as an Athenian general.
- Laches
Commands the Athenian fleet in Sicily after the death of Charoeades; leads operations against Mylae and Messina.
- Eurymedon
Co-commander of the Athenian levy at Tanagra alongside Hipponicus.
- Agis
Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica but turns back due to earthquakes.
- Archidamus
Mentioned as the father of Agis.
- Homer
Quoted in the context of the ancient Delian festival to attest to its historical significance.
- Polycrates
Mentioned for having dedicated Rhenea to Delian Apollo by binding it to Delos with a chain.
Key passages
“The same winter the Athenians purified Delos, in compliance, it appears, with a certain oracle.”
During that winter, the Athenians carried out a purification of Delos, apparently following an oracle's command.
Describes the religious purification of Delos and the revival of the Delian games.
“The same winter the Ambraciots, as they had promised Eurylochus when they retained his army, marched out against Amphilochian Argos with three thousand heavy infantry.”
That same winter, the Ambraciots, keeping their promise to Eurylochus, led 3,000 heavy infantry against Amphilochian Argos.
Details the campaign in western Greece leading to the ruin of Ambracia.
“No less than four thousand four hundred heavy infantry in the ranks died of it and three hundred cavalry, besides a number of the multitude that was never ascertained.”
At least 4,400 hoplites and 300 cavalry died from the plague, along with countless common citizens.
Highlights the severe toll of the second plague outbreak on Athens.
