[XLIX] From the Beginning of the Second Year down to the End of the Third Year of the Peloponnesian War

At the close of one year after the attempted surprise of Platæa by the Thebans, the belligerent parties in Greece remained in an unaltered position as to relative strength. In spite of mutual damage inflicted — doubtless in the greatest measure upon Attica - no progress was yet made towards the fulfilment of those objects which had induced the Peloponnesians to go to war. Especially the most pressing among all their wishes - the relief oi Potidaea - was noway advanced; for the Athenians had not found it necessary to relax the blockade of that city. The result of the first year's operations had thus been to disappoint the hopes of the Corinthians and the other ardent instigators of war, while it justified the anticipations both of Periklêes and of Archidamus.