History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides

Thucydides, Vol. 1-4. Smith, Charles Foster, translator. London and Cambridge, MA: Heinemann and Harvard University Press, 1919-1923.

But the Plataean envoys went to the Athenians and after consulting with them returned with the following message to the people at home: "

The Athenians assure you, Plataeans, that as in times past, since you became their allies,[*](About 520 B.C. cf. Thuc. 3.68.5.) they have never on any occasion deserted you when you were being wronged, so now they will not suffer you to be wronged, but will assist you with all their might. They therefore adjure you, by the oaths which your fathers swore, not to break off the alliance."