History of the Peloponnesian War

It was at this time, while these events were occurring, that Eurymedon and Sophocles,[*](cf. 4.8.3; 4.29.1.) setting sail from Pylos for Sicily with an Athenian fleet, arrived at Corcyra. There they took part with the men from the city[*](The democrats who had held the city since 427 B. C. (cf. 1.lxxxv.).) in an expedition against the Corcyraeans who had established themselves on Mt. Istone, and who at this time, after crossing over thither subsequently to the revolution, were dominating the country and doing a great deal of damage.

The stronghold was taken by assault, but the men in it fled in a body to some high ground and there capitulated, on condition that they should surrender their mercenary troops and give up their arms, leaving it to the Athenian people to decide upon their own fate.

The generals accordingly conveyed the men under truce to the island of Ptychia[*](cf. iii. lxxv. 5; now called Vido.) to be kept under custody there until they should be sent to Athens, and the understanding was that if anyone should be caught trying to run away the truce should be regarded as broken for them all.

But the leaders of the popular party at Corcyra were afraid that the Athenians would not put them to death on their arrival at Athens, and therefore resorted to the following stratagem.

They first tried to persuade a few of the men on the island to run away, by secretly sending thither friends who were instructed to say, with a show of good will, that the best course for them was to do this with no loss of time, and promising to have a boat ready; for the Athenian generals, they explained, were intending to deliver them up to the Corcyraean populace.