later, when the Messenians were expelled from Ithome, and driven into
exile, the Athenians settled them with their families at Naupactus, an
important strategic position on the north of the Corinthian Gulf,
which has recently fallen into the hands of Athens.

Deeply offended by the affront received at Ithome, the Athenians now
formed an alliance with Argos, the ancient rival and bitter enemy of
Sparta. Thessaly, connected with Athens by old ties of friendship,
joined the league; and Megara, now suffering from the oppressions of
Corinth, made a fourth.

Within sight of the shores of Attica lies the island of Aegina, famous
in legend as the home of Aeacus, grandfather of Achilles, and
distinguished for its school of sculpture, and for its mighty breed of
athletes, whose feats are celebrated in the laureate strains of
Pindar. The Aeginetans had obtained the first prize for valour
displayed in the battle of Salamis, and for many years they had
pressed the Athenians hard in the race for maritime supremacy. They
were now attacked by an overwhelming Athenian force, and after a
stubborn resistance were totally defeated, and compelled to enroll
themselves among the subjects of Athens. A still harder fate was
reserved for the hapless Dorian islanders in the next generation.

In the following nine years [Footnote: B.C. 456-447.] the power of
Athens reached its greatest height, and for a moment it seemed as if
she were destined to extend her empire over the whole mainland of
Greece. By the victory of Oenophyta, gained over the Boeotians just
before the reduction of Aegina, Athens became mistress of all the
central provinces of the Greek peninsula, from the pass of Thermopylae
to the gulf of Corinth. The alliance of Megara, lately united by long