History of the Peloponnesian War

"Concerning the temple and oracle of the Pythian Apollo, we agree that whosoever will shall consult it without fraud and without fear, according to the usages of our forefathers.

These things seem good to the Lacedaemonians and the allies that are present;

and they promise to send heralds to the Boeotians and Phocians and persuade them so far as they can. "Concerning the treasure of the god we agree to take care to find out all wrong-doers, rightly and justly following the usages of our forefathers, you and we and all others that wish to do so, all following the usages of our forefathers.

Concerning these things, then, it is so agreed by the Lacedaemonians and the rest of the confederates on such terms. "The following agreements also are made by the Lacedaemonians and the rest of the confederates, that in case the Athenians make a treaty, we shall each of us remain on our own territory, keeping what we now have: the Athenian garrison in Coryphasium[*](The Lacedaemonian name of Pylos (4.3.2). Buphras and Tomeus were two high points on the coast.) shall keep within Buphras and Tomeus; that in Cythera[*](cf. chs. liii. liv.) shall have no communication with the territory of the Iacedaemonian allies, neither we with them nor they with us; that in Nisaea[*](cf. ch. lxix.) and Minoa[*](cf. 3.51.; 4.67.) shall not cross the road leading from the gates of the shrine of Nisus[*](Lit. “the gates leading from the shrine (or statue, as παρά might indicate) of Nisus.”) to the Poseidonium, and from the Poseidonium straight to the bridge[*](Connecting Minoa with the mainland; cf. 3.51.3.) at Minoa (nor shall the Megarians or their allies cross this road); as to the island[*](Probably Atalante is meant; cf. 3.89.3; v. xviii. 7.) which the Athenians took, they shall retain it, and neither party shall communicate with the other; and finally, in the territory of Troezen,[*](The Athenian fortification on the isthmus of Methana; cf. 4.45.2.) the Athenians shall retain whatever they now have in accordance with the agreements which the Troezenians have made with the Athenians.

"As to the use of the sea, in so far as they use it along their own coast and along that of their confederacy, the Lacedaemonians and their allies may sail, not with a ship of war, but with any rowing-vessel up to five hundred talents burden.[*](About 12 1/2 tons.)

"There shall be safe conduct for herald and envoys and their attendants, as many as shall seem proper, on their way to the Peloponnesus and to Athens for the purpose of bringing the war to an end and for the arbitration of disputes, both going and coming, by land and by sea.

"Deserters shall not be received during this time, whether freemen or slaves, either by you or by us.

"You shall give satisfaction to us and we to you according to our ancestral customs, settling disputed points by arbitration without war.

“To the Lacedaemonians and their allies these things seem good; but if anything seems to you fairer or juster than these things, come to Lacedaemon and set forth your view; for neither the Lacedaemonians nor their allies will reject any just proposal you may make.

And let those who come come with full powers, as you also desired of us. And the truce shall be for a year.”[*](The prescript of the Athenian decree which ratified the truce is quoted verbatim (italics above).)

Decreed by the people. The tribe Acamantisheld the prytany, Phaenippus was clerk, Niciades was president.

Laches, invoking good fortune for the people of Athens, moved to conclude the armistice according to the terms to which the Lacedaemonians and their allies had consented; and it was agreed in the popular assembly that the armistice should be for a year, and should begin on that day, the fourteenth of the month Elaphebolion.

During this time envoys and heralds were to go from one state to the other and discuss proposals looking to the termination of the war.

And the generals and prytanes were to call an assembly in which the Athenians should deliberate first of all about peace, on what terms the Lacedaemonian embassy for ending the war should be admitted. And the embassies now present should pledge themselves at once, in the presence of the people, to abide by the truce for the year.