FOURTH YEAR OF THE WAR- REVOLT OF MITVLENE. CHAPTER L. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTH YEAR OF TUB PELOPONNESIAN WAR DOWN TO THE REVOLUTIONARY COM- MOTIONS AT KORKYRA. THE second and third years of the war had both been years of great suffering with the Athenians, from the continuance of the epidemic, which did not materially relax until the winter of the third year (B.C. 429-428). It is no wonder that, under the pres- sure of such a calamity, their military efforts were enfeebled, although the victories of Phormio had placed their maritime reputation at a higher point than ever. To their enemies, the destructive effects of this epidemic effects still felt, although the disorder itself was suspended during the fourth year of the war afforded material assistance as well as encouragement to persevere ; and the Peloponnesians, under Archidamus, again repeated during this year their invasion and ravage of Attica, which had been intermitted during the year preceding. As before, they met with no serious resistance : entering the country about the beginning of May, they continued the process of devas- tation until their provisions were exhausted. 1 To this damage the Athenians had probably now accustomed themselves : but they speedily received, even while the invaders were in their country, intelligence of an event far more embarrassing and formidable, the revolt of Mitylene and of the greater part of Lesbos. This revolt, indeed, did not come even upon the Athenians wholly unawares ; but the idea of it was of longer standing than they suspected, for the Mitylencean oligarchy had projected it before the war, and had made secret application to Sparta for aid, but without success. Some time after hostilities broke out, they resumed the design, which was warmly promoted by the Breotians, kinsmen of the Lesbians in JEollc lineage and dialect. The Mi- tylenaean leaders appear to have finally determined on revolt
1 Thucyd. iii, 1.
