Alcidas, the Spartan commander sent to assist the Mytileneans, fails, however, to do anything for them.
On its surrender (427), the city narrowly escapes the wholesale executions of its citizens and enslavements of women and children that Cleon—whose decree passes—recommends, but only as a result of second thoughts, the next day, on the part of the Assembly (these events and decisions form the context of the famous “Mytilene debate”).
It is to the Athenians' credit that some of them are moved by the thought that their original decision was bloodthirsty, and rescind the decree.
The Athenians kill only the leaders of the revolt.
