History of the Peloponnesian War

It was also about the same period of this summer that the Plataeans, having no longer any provisions and being unable to endure the blockade, surrendered to the Peloponnesians in the following manner.

The enemy assaulted their wall and they were incapable of defending it. So when the Lacedaemonian commander was aware of their powerless condition, lie did not wish to take it by storm, (for such were his instructions from Lacedaemon, in order that if a treaty should ever be made with the Athenians, and they should agree to restore such places as they had respectively taken in the war, Plataea might not be given up, on the strength of its inhabitants having voluntarily gone over to them,) but he sent to them a herald with this question,

Were they disposed voluntarily to surrender their city to the Lacedaemonians, and submit to them as their judges;

and that they should punish the guilty, but no one contrary to justice?

When they were come, no charge was preferred against them; but they called them forward, and merely asked them this question,

Had they in any particular done the Lacedaemonians and the allies any service during the present war?

They made a speech [in reply], for they had requested permission to speak at greater length, and had deputed to plead their cause Astymachus the son of Asopolaus, and Lacon the son of Aeimnestus, who came forward and said as follows: