We have been sent to the Spartans to negotiate peace with them. We have very
little to negotiate with for our people are starving, but we shall do our best. The
Spartans are holding a meeting for all city-states that would like to participate.
They reached the city of Sparta within a days time. Upon entering the meeting with the Spartans, Theramenes realized the meeting was going to take much longer than he wanted it to. They were all seeted in the Throne room discussing the treaty.
"Corinthia believes we should not make a peace treaty with the Athenians. They must be annihilated for what they have done. They have not been a just people to their allies. They do not belong on this earth." A representative from Corinthia told the congregation. The Thebans agreed vehemently. The room became loud with arguments. People began to push their chairs back and yell across the room at each other.
"Quiet!" The Spartan king Pausanias yelled to quiet the rowdy bunch. He stared them all down with his feirce face, a scar running down his left eyelid. Agris II then spoke.
"We will not destroy Athens. They have done to many good things for Greece. We are all Greeks, we must remember this. No, Sparta will not, under any circumstances, annihilate Athens."
"Yes, but we do have some terms for the peace treaty. Those terms of course would be to knock down your walls that protect you, to give us all of your ships but twelve that you may keep, you must hand over all your overseas possessions, and you must have the same allies and enemies of Sparta. If we go on an overseas voyage or any voyage you must support us and join as well. These are the terms of the treaty." Pausanias told the Athenians. Theramenes stared at them and took it all in.
We truly do not have much of a choice. It is either starve
and die of diseases, or follow Sparta's plan that includes
surviving. I am positive that all of Athens would want this.
We will have to venture home now to vote on it in the
senate.
"We shall set off for Athens imidiately to share your terms with our council to vote. It is in serious consideration." Theramenes stated. The kings both nodded.
******
Once In Athens
"We cannot accept Sparta's terms for a treaty. Get rid of our protection, hand over our only defenses?! Never!" One member of the council shouted in response to hearing the terms Sparta had set. Much yelling was emanating from the council, too much yelling. The council was called to order and Theramenes stepped up to speak.
"I know that these terms are difficult for many here to accept, but they may be our only hope. One set of walls is not going to harm us, handing over our ships is not either. Being allied with an extremely powerful city-state is good. They will protect us, and we will once more have food. No children will starve, we will be able to cure our sick and finally leave this city. You must understand, this is our only chance of survival. The other city-states, such as Thebes and Corinth, wanted to destroy our city and put us all into slavery! These terms are our only hope!" He stepped down from the podium and took his seat once more. Everything was silent as his words sunk into the minds of the congregated citizens. Later that day they all agreed to the terms and followed through with them. Celebrations went out through the streets of Athens as flute girls played merry tunes. It could only get better from here, or so they thought.
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