[sect. 2]
Hephaestia and Myrina are the two towns of the islands. The
former in the north-east (Palaeopoli), though not very strong for
defence, was well situated for commerce (Tozer, I. Aeg. p. 268);
the latter (Kastro) in the south-west occupies a striking position
which marks it out as the natural capital (ib. p. 246). The
former paid twice as much tribute as Myrina to Athens in 444 B. C.
and later.
The capture of Lemnos forms an admirable finale, making
a pause in the history before the great war, and recalling the great
services of the hero Miltiades instead of closing the book with his
miserable death.
