ABSTRACT
At several places in his History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides assures us that in 431 B.C. the Spartans believed they could force a swift end to the Peloponnesian War by ravaging Athenian territory. In a re-examination of Spartan strategy in the Archidamian War, George L. Cawkwell has rightly recognized that such differences of opinion did exist. Russell Meiggs has argued forcefully that the early years of the decade of the 440s, and especially the year 447, were a time of troubles for the Athenians. Twice during the war Athenian fleets circumnavigated the Peloponnesus, and on each occasion achieved notable success. A fleet commanded by Tolmides set out from the Piraeus and for a brief time gained control of Laconian Methone and Gythium, where the Spartan dockyards were burned. In the spring of 426 Demosthenes had set out from Athens with a fleet of thirty ships, cruised the Peloponnesus, and, after ravaging the territory around Leucas, sailed on to Naupactus.
