ATHENIAN E.>IPIRE. 287 all, they were on the point of partially recovering themselves in 408 B.C., when the unexpected advent of Cyrus set the seal to their destiny. The bloodshed after the recapture of Mitylene and Skione, and still more that which succeeded the capture of Melos, are disgraceful to the humanity of Athens, and stand in pointed con- trast with the treatment of Samos when reconquered by Perikles. But they did not contribute sensibly to break down her power ; though, being recollected with aversion after other incidents were forgotten, they are alluded to in later times as if they had caused the fall of the empire. 1 I have thought it important to recall, in this short summary, the leading events of the seventy years preceding 405 B.C., in order that it may be understood to what degree Athens was politically or prudentially to blame for the great downfall which she then underwent. That downfall had one great cause we may almost say, one single cause the Sicilian expedition. The empire of Athens both was, and appeared to be, in exuberant strength when that expedition was sent forth; strength more than sufficient to bear up against all moderate faults or moderate misfortunes, such as no government ever long escapes. But the catastrophe of Syracuse was something overpassing in terrific calamity all Grecian experience and all power of foresight. It was like the Russian campaign of 1812 to the emperor Napoleon ; though by no means imputable, in an equal degree, to vice in the original project. No Grecian power could bear up against such a death-wound, and the prolonged struggle of Athens after it is not the least wonderful part of the whole war. Nothing in the political history of Greece is so remarkable as the Athenian empire ; taking it as it stood in its completeness, from about 460-413 B.C., the date of the Syracusan catastrophe, or still more, from 460-424 B.C., the date when Brasidas made his conquests in Thrace. After the Syracusan catastrophe, the conditions of the empire were altogether changed ; it was irre- trievably broken up, though Athens still continued an energetic 1 This I apprehend to have been in the mind of Xcnophon, DC Rcditibug, y, 6. 'ETTEIT lircl Uftuf iiyav 66i;aea TT poa rnrtvt tv f, Ctc.
