History of the Peloponnesian War, Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ...then exhorted all who were present, as he had done before, " to prepare vigorously for war, and to withdraw all their effects from out of the country--by no means to march out against the enemy, but keep within the walls and mind the defence of the city;--to fit out their navy, in which their strength principally consisted, and keep a tight rein over all their dependants. By the large tributes levied upon these, he said, their power was chiefly to be supported, since success in war was a constant result from prudent measures and plentiful supplies. He exhorted them by no means to let their spirits droop, since, besides their certain revenue, six hundred talents were annually paid them by their tributary states, and they had still in the citadel six thousand talents of silver coined." Their primary fund was nine thousand seven hundred talents, out of which had been taken what defrayed the expense of refitting the gates of the citadel, of other public works, and the exigencies of Potidssa. " That, besides this, they had gold and silver uncoined, both in public and private repositories, many valuable vases destined for religious uses and their public solemnities, and the Persian spoils, the whole value of which would not amount to less than five hundred talents." He mentioned The account here given showeth Athens at this time to have been a very opulent state. Reduced to English money it stands thus--The tribute paid them annually amounted to 116,2501. sterling. The fund yet remaining in the citadel was 1,162,500(. sterling. They had expended lately on their public works 3,700 talents, which is equal to 716,875(. sterling. The weight of the gold on the statue of Minerva was 40 talents, which, computing the talent only at 65tb. troy, to avoid...