and drawn up in order, they retreated to the neighbouring cities, and openly made war against the Spartans, having won over no small number of the Perioeki to their side, while the Messenians also joined them in attacking their own old enemies.  At this crisis the Spartans sent Perikleides as an ambassador to Athens to demand assistance.  This is the man whom Aristophanes ridiculed in his play as sitting by the altars as a suppliant, with a pale face and a scarlet cloak, begging for an army.

We are told by Kritias that Ephialtes vigorously opposed his mission, and besought the Athenians not to assist in restoring a state which was the rival of Athens, but to let the pride of Sparta be crushed and trampled in the dust.  Kimon, on the other hand, postponing the interests of his own country to those of the Lacedaemonians, persuaded the people of Athens to march a numerous body of men to assist them.  The historian Ion has preserved the argument which had most effect upon the Athenians, and says that Kimon besought them not to endure to see Greece lame of one foot and Athens pulling without her yoke-fellow.

XVII.  When Kimon with his relieving force marched to help the Lacedaemonians, he passed through the territory of Corinth.  Lachartus objected to this, saying that he had marched in before he had asked leave of the Corinthians, and reminded him that when men knock at a door, they do not enter before the master of the house invites them to come in.  Kimon answered, “Lachartus, you Corinthians do not knock at the doors of the cities of Megara or of Kleonae, but break down the door and force your way in by the right of the stronger, just as we are doing now.”  By this timely show of spirit he silenced the Corinthians, and passed through the territory of Corinth with his army.

The Lacedaemonians invited the aid of the Athenians a second time, to assist in the reduction of the fortress of Ithome, which was held by the Messenians and revolted helots; but when they arrived the Lacedaemonians feared so brilliant and courageous a force, and sent them back, accusing them of revolutionary ideas, although they did not treat any other of their allies in this manner.  The Athenians retired, in great anger at the treatment they had received, and no longer restrained their hatred of all who favoured the Lacedaemonians.  On some trifling pretext they ostracised Kimon, condemning him to exile for ten years, which is the appointed time for those suffering from ostracism.  During this time the Lacedaemonians, after setting Delphi free from the Phokians, encamped at Tanagra, and fought a battle there with the Athenians, who came out to meet them.  On this occasion Kimon appeared, fully armed, and took his place in the ranks among his fellow-tribesmen.  However, the senate of the five hundred hearing of this, became alarmed, and, as his enemies declared that his only object was to create confusion during the battle and so to betray his countrymen to the