History of the Peloponnesian War

Besides this, our navy gave them some apprehension: it was always possible that it might unite with you or with some other power, and become dangerous to Athens.

The court which we paid to their commons and its leaders for the time being, also helped us to maintain our independence.

However, we did not expect to be able to do so much longer, if this war had not broken out, from the examples that we had had of their conduct to the rest.