A well-known ancient example is the Siege of Plataea in 429–427 BC, during the Peloponnesian War. The town of Plataea, a staunch ally of Athens, persistently stood a prolonged siege by the Spartans and their allies - finally surrendering to the Spartans, as all supplies they had were exhausted and no hope of help remained. They had trusted the Spartans to a fair trial, as the Spartans had promised to "judge them all fairly", and that "only the guilty should be punished" if they yielded. Yet, when the Plataean prisoners were brought before the judges, no trial was held and they could offer no real defense. The Spartans simply asked each of the prisoners if they had done the Spartans and allies any service in the war - to which the prisoners ultimately had to no choice but to answer "no". It was well-known to anybody involved that during the entire war the Plataeans had fought on the Athenian side, against the Spartans - that being the duly declared policy of their city state. Upon the Plataeans giving that negative answer, they were one by one put to death - over 200 of them. Thucydides clearly considered that this was an unfair judicial procedure.