# XI explained — History of the Peloponnesian War

> Chapter companion for History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters