Sphacteria

The island which is called Sphacteria stretches along the land and is quite close to it, making the harbour safe and the entrances narrow; there is only a passage for two ships at the one end, which was opposite Pylos and the Athenian fort, while at the other the strait between the island and the mainland7 is wide enough to admit eight or nine.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

_Journey in the Morea_, "is formed by a deep indenture in the Morea, shut in by a long island, anciently called Sphacteria, famous for the defeat and capture of the Spartans, in the Peloponnesian war, and yet exhibiting the vestige of walls, which may have served as their last refuge.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 284, November 24, 1827 Various

Thus, by a single action, they wiped out the charge of cowardice, which was due to their misfortune at Sphacteria, and of general stupidity and sluggishness, then current against them in Hellas.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

Already a great and unexpected blow had fallen upon them at Sphacteria; Pylos and

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

Nicias perceived that the multitude were murmuring at Cleon, and asking 'why21 he did not sail in any case -- now was his time if he thought the capture of Sphacteria to be such an easy matter'; and hearing him find fault, he told him that, as far as they, the generals, were concerned, he might take any force which he required and try.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

For they had not consulted him, but had negotiated the peace through Nicias and Laches, despising his youth, and disregarding an ancient connexion with his family, who had been their proxeni; a connexion which his grandfather had renounced, and he, by the attention which he had paid to the captives from Sphacteria, had hoped to have renewed.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

These the Athenians determined to deposit in some of the islands; at the same time they allowed the other Cytherians to live in their own country, paying a tribute of four talents. 37 They resolved to kill all the Aeginetans whom they had taken in satisfaction of their long-standing hatred, and to put Tantalus in chains along with the captives from Sphacteria.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

One of them, Demosthenes, happened to be the greatest foe, and the other the greatest friend of the Lacedaemonians, both in the same matter of Pylos and Sphacteria.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

Athens within a few years; 14 and yet they had received a blow at Sphacteria such as Sparta had never experienced until then; their country was continually ravaged from

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007

Sicily being, as they heard, engaged in the siege of Sphacteria.

The History of the Peloponnesian War Thucydides 2007