History of the Peloponnesian War

but we have good allies, whom we must not give up to the Athenians, nor decide the question with suits and words, while it is not also in word that we are injured; but we must assist them with speed and with all our might. And let no one tell me that it is proper for us to deliberate who are being wronged.

It is for those who are about to commit the wrong that it is much more proper to deliberate for a long time.

Vote then, Lacedaemonians, for war, as is worthy of Sparta; and neither permit the Athenians to become greater, nor let us betray our allies; but with the help of the gods let us proceed against those who are wronging them.

Having spoken to this effect he himself, as ephor, put the question to the assembly of the Lacedaemonians.

As they decide by acclamation and not by vote, he said that he did not distinguish on which side the acclamation was greater; but wishing to instigate them the more to war [*]( Because individuals might be afraid of openly opposing the popular wish, which was decidedly for the war.) by their openly expressing their views, he said,

Whoever of you, Lacedaemonians, thinks the treaty to have been broken, and the Athenians to have been guilty, let him [*]( For another instance of a compound of ἵστημι used in the same pregnant manner as ἀναστήτω is here, see I. 101. 2. ἐς Ἰθώμην ἀπέστηταν) rise and go yonder

and whoever does not think so, let him go to the other side.

They arose and divided, and there was a large majority who thought that the treaty had been broken.