[119] And that this state of affairs was due to the valor of our ancestors has been clearly shown in the fortunes of our city: for the very moment when we were deprived of our dominion marked the beginning of a dominion[109] of ills for the Hellenes. In fact, after the disaster which befell us in the Hellespont,[110] when our rivals took our place as leaders, the barbarians won a naval victory,[111] became rulers of the sea, occupied most of the islands,[112] made a landing in Laconia, took Cythera by storm, and sailed around the whole Peloponnesus, inflicting damage as they went.