i8-2o] THE PELOPONNESIANS AT ACHARNAE 117 came from the Athenians, at last they marched on, and about the eightieth day after the entry of the Thebans into Plataea, in the middle of the summer a, T.n„;,^n • ./ ' ^ ' l^eavtitg Ut'fiop, they when the corn was in full ear, invaded enter Attka and manh Attica, under the command of Archi- *° Achanme, damus the son of Zeuxidamus the Lacedaemonian king. They encamped and ravaged, first of all, Eleusis and the plain of Thria, where they put to flight some Athenian horse near the streams called Rheiti ; they then advanced, keeping Mount Aegaleos on the right hand, through the district of Kropeia until they reached Acharnae, which is the largest of the Athenian townships or demes, as they are called ; and at Acharnae they encamped, and remained there a considerable time ravaging the country. In this first invasion Archidamus is said to have lingered 20 about Acharnae with his army ready where they linger, in the for battle, instead of descending into hope that the Athenians the plaint in the hope that the Athe- ^<Jiii ^ome out to fight. nians, who were now flourishing in youth and numbers and provided for war as they had never been before, would perhaps meet them in the field rather than allow their lands to be ravaged. When therefore they did not appear at Eleusis or in the plain of Thria, he tried once more whether by encamping in the neighbourhood of Acharnae he could induce them to come out. The situation appeared to be convenient, and the Acharnians, being a considerable section of the city and furnishing three thousand hoplites, were likely to be impatient at the destruction of their property, and would communicate to the whole people a desire to fight. Or if the Athenians did not come out to meet him during this invasion, he could henceforward ravage the plain with more confidence, and march right up to the walls of the city. The Achar- nians, having lost their own possessions, would be less willing to hazard their lives on behalf of their neighoours, " i.e. of the Attic summer, including spring, see note. i.e. the plain round Athens.
