3–2
The Athenians also took possession of all the towns on the mainland which the Mytilenaeans controlled,cf. 4.52.3, where they are called ἀκταῖαι πόλεις. and these were thereafter subject to the Athenians. Such was the course of events at Lesbos.
In the same summer, after the capture of Lesbos, the Athenians, under the command of Nicias son of Niceratus, made an expedition against the island of Minoa, which lies in front of Megara and was used as a garrison-station by the Megarians, who had built a tower upon it.
But Nicias was desirous that the watch which the Athenians kept should be maintained at that point, which would be at closer range for them, instead of at Budorum in Salamis, the purpose of the watch being to prevent the Peloponnesians from using the harbour of Megara as a base from which to send out unobserved either triremes, as they had done once before,Referring to Brasidas' attempt, described 2.93, 2.94. or expeditions of privateers, and at the same time to see to it that nothing was brought in by sea for the Megarians.