But Athens was not inclined either to revoke the decree, or to entertain their other proposals; she accused the Megarians of pushing their cultivation into the consecrated ground and the unenclosed land on the border, and of harbouring her runaway slaves.

At last an embassy arrived with the Lacedaemonian ultimatum.

The ambassadors were Ramphias, Melesippus, and Agesander.

Not a word was said on any of the old subjects; there was simply this: "Lacedaemon wishes the peace to continue, and there is no reason why it should not, if you would leave the Hellenes independent." Upon this the Athenians held an assembly, and laid the matter before their consideration.

It was resolved to deliberate once for all on all their demands, and to give them an answer.