by Manolis Spanakis

by Manolis Spanakis

Milos 2


Milos of Venus part 2 The cave Sykea (or Sykia)

The Greek historian Thucydides wrote in his History of the Peloponnesian War of how, in 416 BC, Athens attacked Melos for refusing to submit tribute and refusing to join Athen's alliance against Sparta.

The invasion of Melos occurred during the second phase of the Peloponnesian War (431 to 404 BC). The Melians remained neutral throughout this conflict. In 425 BC Athens claimed suzerainty over Melos and had demanded tribute. The second attack on Melos occurred five years after Athens and Sparta had signed a peace agreement. In the summer of 416 BC the Athenians sent diplomats to negotiate a surrender, offering to spare the Melians if they joined the Athenian-dominated Delian League and paid tribute to Athens. The Melians rejected the ultimatum. The Athenians laid siege to the city. For months the Melians withstood the siege, but the Athenians took the city that winter. In the aftermath the Athenians executed all the adult men, and sold the women and children into slavery.


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