History of the Peloponnesian War

At the very beginning of the following winter, the Lacedaemonians led out an army and came to Tegea, whence they sent on to Argos proposals for peace.

There had been before this partisans of theirs at Argos who wished to put down the democracy there, and after the battle had been fought they were far better able to persuade the people to come to an agreement with Sparta. They wished, after they had first made a treaty with the Lacedaemonians, to conclude later an alliance also, and having done so to attack the democracy.

And now there arrived at Argos Lichas son of Arcesilaus, proxenus of the Argives, bringing from the Lacedaemonians two proposals: the one stating on what conditions they should make war, if they wished that; the other, how they should keep the peace, if they preferred that. And after much opposition—for Alcibiades chanced to be present— the men who were working for the Lacedaemonians, venturing now to act openly, persuaded the Argives to accept the proposal for peace, which was as follows:

"It seems good to the assembly of the Lacedaemonians to make an agreement with the Argives on the following terms: 1. "The Argives shall restore to the Orchomenians[*](cf. 5.61.5.) their children and to the Maenalians[*](cf. 5.61.4, though the Maenalians are not expressly mentioned there.) their men, and to the Lacedaemonians[*](cf. 5.61.5.) the men they deposited at Mantinea. 2.

"They shall evacuate Epidaurus and demolish the fortification there. And if the Athenians do not withdraw from Epidaurus, they shall be enemies to the Argives and Lacedaemonians, and to the allies of the Lacedaemonians and to the allies of the Argives. 3.

"If the Lacedaemonians have in custody any children, they shall restore these in all cases to their cities. 4.