And finally a hundred and twenty of their noblest citizens
were immured in the dungeons of Athens, and they were ready to make
great sacrifices to procure their release.
Accordingly, in the winter after the battle of Amphipolis,
negotiations were resumed, and early in the following spring a treaty
of peace was concluded between Athens and Sparta, on the understanding
that all places taken by force of arms should be restored, and all
prisoners set at liberty. Such was the Peace of Nicias, named after
its chief promoter, the former rival of Cleon, and now the leading
politician at Athens. It was really a private agreement between Athens
and Sparta, for the most important of the Spartan allies, who thought
that their interests were neglected, refused to sign the treaty.
Alarmed by this, the Spartans immediately concluded a second treaty
with Athens, binding both sides to mutual aid and defence, in case
their territories were attacked. The prisoners taken at Sphacteria
were now restored, but owing to the bungling of Nicias, the Athenians
failed to regain Amphipolis.
II
Six years elapsed after the conclusion of the Peace of Nicias, before
war was again openly declared; but it was a peace only in name, and
was broken by many acts of hostility on both sides.
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