CONTINUATION OF HISTORICAL GREECE.
FROM THE PEACE OF NIKIAS TO THE OLYMPIC FESTIVAL OF
Negotiations for peace during the winter after the battle of Amphipolis.—
Peace called the Peace of Nikias - concluded in March 421 B.C.
tions of peace.
Peace accepted at Sparta by the majority of members
of the Peloponnesian alliance. The most powerful members of the alli-
ance refuse to accept the truce-Boeotians, Megarians, Corinthians, and
Eleians. Position and feelings of the Lacedæmonians
anxiety for peace- their uncertain relations with Argos.. Steps taken
by the Lacedæmonians to execute the peace-Amphipolis is not restored
to Athens - the great allies of Sparta do not accept the peace. Sepa-
rate alliance for mutual defence concluded between Sparta and Athens.
Terms of the alliance.- Athens restores the Spartan captives. - Mis-
management of the political interests of Athens by Nikias and the peace
party. By the terms of the alliance Athens renounced all the advan-
tages of her position in reference to the Lacedæmonians
she gained
none of those concessions upon which she calculated, while they gained
materially.-Discontent and remonstrances of the Athenians against
Sparta in consequence of the non-performance of the conditions- they
repent of having given up the captives-excuses of Sparta. - New com-
binations in Peloponnesus-suspicion entertained of concert between
Sparta and Athens - Argos stands prominently forward- state of Argos
aristocratical regiment of one thousand formed in that city. - The
Corinthians prevail upon Argos to stand forward as head of a new Pelo-
ponnesian alliance.-Congress of recusant Peloponnesian allies at Corinth
the Mantineians join Argos-state of Arcadia — rivalship of Tegea
and Mantineia. - Remonstrances of Lacedæmonian envoys at the con-
gress at Corinth-redefence of the Corinthians-pretence of religious