History of the Peloponnesian War

Afterwards, on the attack of the Athenians and their allies, the Messanians too capitulated, giving hostages and [*]( Satisfying the Athenians in all other points. Lit. presenting all other things of such a nature as to be satisfactory. —Arnold.) all other securities.

The same summer the Athenians despatched thirty ships to cruise about the Peloponnese, under the command of Demosthenes son of Alcisthenes, and Procles son of Theodorus, and sixty ships and two thousand heavy-armed against Melos, under the command of Nicias son of Niceratus.

For as the Melians were islanders, and yet would not submit to them nor join their confederacy, they wished to reduce them.

When, however, they did not surrender to them on the wasting of their territory, they sailed to Oropus, on the coast opposite Attica; and having landed at night, the heavy-armed immediately marched from their ships to Tanagra in Boeotia;