THESE Lacedæmonians had lived about four hundred years under one form of government when the Peloponnesian war began. Their education was only to practise feats of arms; wherein they so excelled, that a very few of them were thought equal to very great numbers of any other people. They were poor and cared not much for wealth; every one had an equal portion of the common field, which sufficed to maintain him in such manner as they used. For bravery they had none, and curious building or apparel they regarded not. Their diet was simple, their feasts and ordinary meals being in common halls, where all fared alike. They used money of iron, whereof they could not be covetous or great hoarders. Briefly, they lived Utopian-like, save that they used no other occupation than war, placing all their felicity in the glory of their valour.

But the Athenians were in all points contrary to this. For they sought wealth, and measured the honours of their victories by the profit; they used mercenary soldiers in their wars, and exacted great tribute of their subjects, which were for the most part islanders compelled to obey them because the Athenian fleet was great.