History of the Peloponnesian War

Athenians, my advice is given you in a few words, but it is equally availing to brave men, and is intended to remind, rather than exhort you.

Let the thought then be en tertained by none of you, that we are improperly running this hazard in another people's territory. For though in these men's territory, the struggle will be for the good of our own; and if we conquer, the Peloponnesians will never invade your country, when deprived of the Boeotian horse; but in one battle you will both gain possession of this land, and confirm the liberty of that.

Advance to meet them, then, in a manner worthy of the state in which each of you boasts that he has the first country in Greece; and of your fathers, who, by defeating these men in battle at Aenophyta, under Myronides, once got possession of Boeotia.