The spring of the year B. C. 421 found Athens and Sparta alike weary of the long continuance of the Peloponnesian War, and alike disposed to put an end to the con?ict upon any fair and honourable terms. The War had now lasted exactly ten years: and as its fortunes alternated from side to side, Athens at one time, and Sparta at another, had been reduced to offer conditions of peace; but hitherto the very events, which had caused the offer to be made by one combatant, had themselves ensured its rejection by the other. Now, for the first time, the wishes of both coincided both felt that they had far more to lose than to gain by a further prolongation of hostilities both were therefore eager to terminate the War, and the desire of Peace was as ardent and as genuine on the one side as on the other.