The Mytilenaeans,
they argued, were without excuse: they were not subjects of Athens,
who might wish to escape from their burdens, but free and privileged
allies. They had treacherously plotted against Athens, when she was
sunk deep in calamity, and brought a Peloponnesian fleet within the
sacred circle of her empire. For a long time past they had evidently
been hatching a vile conspiracy against the very existence of Athens.
Having once come to this decision, the Athenians lost no time, but
sent off a trireme on the same day, with orders to Paches to carry the
decree into effect.
But after a night of cool reflection they began to repent of their
haste. It was a cruel and monstrous thing, they now thought, to
butcher the population of a whole city, innocent and guilty alike. The
Mytilenaean envoys, who had been sent to Athens on the surrender of
the city, perceived that there was a change in the public temper, and
acting in concert with influential Athenians who were in their
interest, they induced the magistrates to summon a second assembly,
and re-open the debate.
It is on this occasion that we first catch sight [Footnote: That is,
in the narrative of Thucydides.] of the notorious demagogue Cleon, who
for the next six years will be the most prominent figure in Athenian
public life.
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