Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 1.18

[1] But after that the tyrants, both of Athens and of the rest of Greece where tyrannies were, were the most and last of them, excepting those of Sicily, put down by the Lacedaemonians (for Lacedaemon, after that it was built by the Dorians that inhabited the same, though it hath been longer troubled with seditions than any other city we know, yet hath it had for the longest time good laws, and been also always free from tyrants; for it is unto the end of this war four hundred years and something more that the Lacedaemonians have used one and the same government, and thereby being of power themselves, they also ordered the affairs in the other cities); I say, after the dissolution of tyrannies in Greece, it was not long before the battle was fought by the Medes against the Athenians in the fields of Marathon. And in the tenth year again after that came the barbarian with the great fleet into Greece to subdue it.

[2] And Greece being now in great danger, the leading of the Grecians that league in that war was given to the Lacedaemonians, as to the most potent state. And the Athenians, who had purposed so much before and already stowed their necessaries, at the coming in of the Medes went a ship-board and became seamen. When they had jointly beaten back the barbarian, then did the Grecians, both such as were revolted from the king and such as had in common made war upon him, not long after divide themselves into leagues, one part with the Athenians and the other with the Lacedaemonians, these two cities appearing to be the mightiest, for this had the power by land and the other by sea.

[3] But this confederation lasted but awhile; for afterwards the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians, being at variance, warred each on other together with their several confederates. And the rest of Greece, where any discord chanced to arise, had recourse presently to one of these. In so much that from the war of the Medes to this present war being continually [exercised] sometimes in peace sometimes in war, either one against the other or against revolted confederates, they arrived at this war, both well furnished with military provisions and also expert because their practice was with danger.

[1] But at last a time came when the tyrants of Athens and the far older tyrannies of the rest of Hellas were, with the exception of those in Sicily , once and for all put down by Lacedaemon ; for this city, though after the settlement of the Dorians, its present inhabitants, it suffered from factions for an unparalleled length of time, still at a very early period obtained good laws, and enjoyed a freedom from tyrants which was unbroken; it has possessed the same form of government for more than four hundred years, reckoning to the end of the late war, and has thus been in a position to arrange the affairs of the other states. Not many years after the deposition of the tyrants, the battle of Marathon was fought between the Medes and the Athenians.

[2] Ten years afterwards the barbarian returned with the armada for the subjugation of Hellas . In the face of this great danger the command of the confederate Hellenes was assumed by the Lacedaemonians in virtue of their superior power; and the Athenians having made up their minds to abandon their city, broke up their homes, threw themselves into their ships, and became a naval people. This coalition, after repulsing the barbarian, soon afterwards split into two sections, which included the Hellenes who had revolted from the king, as well as those who had aided him in the war. At the head of the one stood Athens , at the head of the other Lacedaemon , one the first naval, the other the first military power in Hellas .

[3] For a short time the league held together, till the Lacedaemonians and Athenians quarrelled, and made war upon each other with their allies, a duel into which all the Hellenes sooner or later were drawn, though some might at first remain neutral. So that the whole period from the Median war to this, with some peaceful intervals, was spent by each power in war, either with its rival, or with its own revolted allies, and consequently afforded them constant practice in military matters, and that experience which is learnt in the school of danger.

Endlich wurden die Tyrannen in Athen und in den vielen
andern hellenischen Staaten, die schon vorher in den Händen von
Gewaltherrschern waren, mit Ausnahme derer in Sicilien durch die
Lakedämonier gestürzt. Lakedämon war nach der Ankunft der jetzt ¹
dort wohnenden Dotter, so viel wir wissen, die meiste Zeit von inne-«
ren Unruhen bewegt^), und erfreut sich doch seit sehr langer Zeit ^{2 3}
trefflicher Gesetze^) und ist immer frei von Tyrannen geblieben.
Denn bis auf das Ende dieses Krieges sind ungefähr vierhundert ⁴
Jahre verflossen und etwas darüber, seitdem die Lakedämonier dieselbe
Verfassung unverändert beobachten und eben dadurch stark genug
wurden, auch in andern Staaten als Ordner aufzutreten.

Nachdem nun die Tyrannen vom Hellenischen Boden vertrieben
waren, fand nicht lange danach bei Marathon die Schlacht zwischen ⁵
Persern und Athenern Statt. ^m zehnten Jahre danach kam dann ⁶
der Barbar wieder mit jenem grossen Heereszug, um Hellas in die
Knechtschaft zu zwingen. Da nun diese große Gefahr über Aller ^{7 8}
Häuptern schwebte, stellten sich die Lakedämonier, durch ihre Macht
vorragend, an der mitkämpfenden Hellenen Spitze, und die Athener
entschlossen sich beim Herannahen der Meder, die Stadt zu verlassen und
mit ihrer Habe zu Schiff zu gehen, und wurden so Seeleute. Als sie
darauf mit gemeinsamer Anstrengung den Barbaren zurückgewiesen
hatten, währte es nicht lange, so spalteten sich die vom großen König
abgefallenen Hellenen und die in jenem Kriege mitgekämpft hatten,
und hielten sich ein Theil zu den Athenern, ein Theil zu den
Lakedämoniern; denn diese beiden waren an Macht die hervorragendsten,
die Einen zu Lande, die Andern zur See. Zwar dauerte die
Kampfgenossenschaft noch einige Zeit, dann aber zerfielen die Lakedämonier
und Athener unter einander und bekriegten sich, indem jedem Theile
die Bundesgenossen zur Seite standen; und wo sonst unter den
andern Hellenen irgend Feindschaft bestand, schloß man sich seitdem an
eine dieser beiden Parteien. So hatten sie seit der Zeit des
Persereinfalls bis zum jetzigen Kriege ununterbrochen bald Waffenstillstand,
bald kämpften sie entweder unter einander, oder gegen ihre
abgefallenen Bundesgenossen, brachten aber dabei ihr Kriegswesen zu einer
gewissen Vollkommenheit und wurden darin, indem sie unter Gefahren
sich übten, immer kundiger.

Schließlich wurde dann aber der TyranniS in Athen und
den übrigen, meist schon länger von Tyrannen beherrschten
griechischen Städten durch die Lakedämonier, mit Ausnahme!
von Sizilien, fast überall ein Ende gemacht. In Lakedämon
hat es seit der Einwanderung seiner jetzigen dorischen Bevöl­
kerung, obgleich dort, soviel wir wissen, die inneren Kämpfe
kaum jemals abrissen, von jeher gute Gesetze und niemals
Tyrannen gegeben. Etwas über vierhundert Jahr sind es
ungefähr bis zu Ende dieses Krieges, daß die Lakedämonier ^
immer dieselbe Verfassung gehabt haben, und dem verdanken
sie ihren Einfluß auch auf die Verfassung anderer Staaten.
Wenige Jahre nach der Vertreibung der Tyrannen aus Griechen­
land wurde zwischen Persern und Athenern die Schlacht bei
Marathon geschlagen. Zehn Jahr später unternahm der
Perserkönig dann nochmals jenen gewaltigen Zug zur Unter­
werfung Griechenlands. Angesichts dieser großen Gefahr über­
nahmen die Lakedämonier als die Mächtigsten die Führung
der verbündeten griechischen Heere, die Athener aber entschlossen
sich, bei Ankunft der Perser ihre Stadt zu verlassen und sich
mit Hab und Gut auf die Schiffe zu begeben und von nun
an ihr Heil auf dem Wasser zu suchen. Aber schon bald.
nachdem sie die Angriffe der Perser mit vereinten Kräften
abgewiesen hatten, schieden sich die Griechen, sowohl die bis­
herigen Bundesgenossen wie die früheren Untertanen des Königs,
in zwei Parteien, von denen die eine sich den Athenern, die
andere den Lakedämoniern anschloß. Denn daS waren jetzt
entschieden die beiden ersten Mächte, die eine zur See, die
andere zu Lande. Eine Zeitlang hielt die alte Waffenbrüder­
schaft noch vor, dann aber zerfielen beide miteinander, und
es kam zwischen ihnen und ihren Bundesgenossen zum Kriege.
Wo immer es seitdem in Griechenland Händel gab, schloß
man sich jetzt ohne weiteres einem von ihnen an. So haben
. sie in der ganzen Zeit von den Perserkriegen bis zu diesem
Kriege bald Verträge miteinander geschlossen, bald unter sich
oder auch mit aufsässigen Bundesgenossen Krieg geführt und
dabei Gelegenheit gehabt, ihr Kriegswesen zu vervollkommnen,
und unter mancherlei Gefahren eine vortreffliche Schule für
den Krieg durchgemacht.

XVIII. Plus tard les tyrans d’Athènes et les derniers des nombreux tyrans qui longtemps avaient opprimé le reste de la Grèce furent chassés par les Lacédémoniens ¹ , à l’exception de ceux de Sicile ² . Quant à Lacédémone, des séditions presque continuelles l’agitèrent, aussi loin que nous puissions remonter, de son occupation ³ par les Doriens ses habitants actuels ; mais néanmoins elle eut très anciennement de bonnes lois ⁴ et se pré- serva toujours de la tyrannie. En effet, quatre cents ans et plus se sont écoulés de l’établissement de la législation qui régit encore aujourd’hui les Lacédémoniens à la fin de la guerre actuelle ⁵ . C’est à cette stabilité qu’ils durent la puissance qui leur permit d’intervenir pour régler les intérêts des autres villes. Peu d’années après l’expulsion des tyrans de la Grèce se livra la bataille de Marathon, entre les Athéniens et les Mèdes ⁶ . Ce fut dix ans plus tard que le Barbare revint à la tête de la grande expédition pour asservir la Grèce ⁷ . Devant l’imminence et la grandeur du danger les Lacédémoniens, supérieurs en puissance, prirent le commandement des Grecs alliés pour la résistance ; les Athéniens, à l’approche des Mèdes, eurent la pensée d’abandonner leur ville ; ils transportèrent tout ce qu’ils purent à bord de leurs vaisseaux et prirent la mer pour demeure ; puis, lorsque les barbares eurent été repoussés d’un commun effort, ceux des Grecs qui secouèrent le joug du roi, tout aussi bien que ceux qui l’avaient combattu d’abord, ne tardèrent pas à se partager entre les Athéniens et les Lacédémoniens : c’étaient là évidemment les deux puissances prépondérantes, l’une sur terre, l’autre sur mer. Leur union fut de courte durée : bientôt après, les Lacédémoniens et les Athéniens en vinrent à une rupture et se firent la guerre avec l’assistance de leurs alliés. Dès lors ceux des autres Grecs entre lesquels s’élevait quelque différend eurent recours à l’une des deux nations rivales ; et de cette sorte tout le temps qui sépare la guerre médique de la guerre actuelle se passa pour les Athéniens et les Lacédémoniens en alternatives continuelles de traités et de combats, soit entre eux, soit avec leurs alliés révoltés ; ils arrivèrent donc à la lutte parfaitement préparés, et avec toute l’expérience que donne l’habitude d’agir au milieu des dangers.

[1] But finally the tyrants, not only of Athens but also of the rest of Hellas (which, for a long time before Athens, had been dominated by tyrants)-at least most of them and the last that ever ruled, if we except tlose in Sicily—were put down by the Lacedaemonians. For although Lacedaemon, after the settlement there of the Dorians who now inhabit it, was, for the longest period of all the places of which we know, in a state of sedition, still it obtained good laws at an earlier time than any other land, and has always been free from tyrants; for the period during which the Lacedaemonians have been enjoying the same constitution ¹ covers about four hundred years or a little more down to the end of the Peloponnesian war. And it is for this reason that they became powerful and regulated the affairs of other states as well. Not many years after the overthrow of the tyrants in Hellas by the Lacedaemonians the battle of Marathon ² was fought between the Athenians and the Persians;

[2] and ten years after that the Barbarian came again with his great host against Hellas to enslave it. In the face of the great danger that threatened, the Lacedaemonians, because they were the most powerful, assumed the leadership of the Hellenes that joined in the war; and the Athenians, when the Persians came on, resolved to abandon their city, and packing up their goods embarked on their ships, and so became sailors. By a common effort the Barbarian was repelled; but not long afterwards the other Hellenes, both those who had revolted from the King and those who had joined the first confederacy against him, parted company and aligned themselves with either the Athenians or the Lacedaemonians; for these states had shown themselves the most powerful, the one strong by land and the other on the sea.

[3] The defensive alliance lasted only a little while; then the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians quarrelled and, with their respective allies, made war upon one another, and any of the rest of the Hellenes, if they chanced to be at variance, from now on resorted to one or the other. So that from the Persian invasion continually, to this present war, making peace at one time, at another time fighting with each other or with their own revolted allies, these two states prepared themselves well in matters of war, and became more experienced, taking their training amid actual dangers.

[1] But after the tyrants of the Athenians and those in the rest of Greece, (which even at an earlier period ¹ was for a long time subject to tyrants,) the most and last, excepting those in Sicily, had been deposed by the Lacedaemonians; (for Lacedaemon, after the settlement of the Dorians who now inhabit it, though torn by factions for the longest time of any country that we are acquainted with, yet from the earliest period enjoyed good laws, and was always free from tyrants; for it is about four hundred years, or a little more, to the end of this war, that the Lacedaemonians have been in possession of the same form of government; and being for this reason powerful, they settled matters in the other states also;) after, ² I say, the deposition of the tyrants in the rest of Greece, not many years subsequently the battle of Marathon was fought between the Medes and Athenians.

[2] And in the tenth year after it, the barbarians came again with the great armament against Greece to enslave it. And when great danger was impending, the Lacedaemonians took the lead of the confederate Greeks, as being the most powerful; and the Athenians, on the approach of the Medes, determined to leave their city, and having broken up their establishments, ³ went on board their slips, and became a naval people. And having together repulsed the barbarian, no long time after, both those Greeks who had revolted from the king, and those who had joined in the war [against him], were divided between the Athenians and Lacedaemonians. For these states respectively appeared the most powerful; for the one was strong by land, and the other by sea.

[3] And for a short time the confederacy held together; but afterwards the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, having quarrelled, waged war against each other with their allies: and of the rest of the Greeks, whoever in any quarter were at variance, now betook themselves to these. So that, from the Persian war all the time to this, making peace at one time, and at another war, either with each other or with their own revolting allies, they prepared themselves well in military matters, and became more experienced from going through their training in scenes of danger. ⁴

[1] Poetea vero quam et Atheniensium, et reliquae Graecia;, quae diu et ipsa ante tyrannide pressa fuerat, ple-rosque et postremos tyrannos, exceptis Siculis, Lacedaemonii sustulerunt (nam Lacedaemon post urbem conditam a Doriensibus, qui eam nunc incolunt, diutissime omnium , quantum scimus, seditionibus conflictata tamen ab antiquissimis usque temporibus et bonis legibus est usa, et tyrannidis immunis semper fuit; sunt enim anni maxime quadringenti et paulo plures usque ad hujus belli finem, ex quo Lacedaemonii eadem reipublicae forma utuntur; et hac ipsa de causa potentes in aliis quoque civitatibus res componebant), verumtamen tyrannis ex Graecia sublatis, non multis post annis Medorum quoque proelium cum Atheniensibus in campis Marathoniis est commissum;

[2] decimo vero post hanc pugnam anno iterum barbarus cum magnis copiis in Graeciam venit, ut eam in servitutem redigeret. Et cum magnum periculum impenderet, et Lacedaemonii Gra;co-rum, qui bellum illud communibus auspiciis susceperant, duces fuerunt quippe potentia praestantes, et Athenienses, Medis adventantibus, cum urbem relinquere in animum induxissent, et fortunis convasatis naves conscendissent, rei navalis studiosi exstiterunt; et quum communiter Graeci barbarum reppulissent, non multo post tam illi, qui a rege desciverant, quam qui conjunctis armis bellum ei fecerant, partim ad Athenienses, parlim ad Lacedaemonios divisi transierunt; horum enim maxima potentia exstiterat; hi enim terra, illi vero classe multum poterant.

[3] Ac breve quidem temporis spacium duravit haec armorum societas; postea vero Lacedaemonii et Athenienses dissociali bellum inter se gesserunt cum suis utrique sociis, et ex ceteris Graecis, si qui usquam inter se dissidebant, jam ad alterutros sese conferebant. Quamobrem a Medico bello ad hoc usque conti -nenter modo ftrdus facientes, modo bellum gerentes aut inter se, ant contra socios a se delicientes, praeclare res bellicas instruxerunt, et peritiores evaserunt, quum non citra pericula exercerentur.

Quando però i tiranni d’Atene, e la maggior parte di quelli del rimanente di Grecia anche di prima quasi tutta tiranneggiata, e quando anche gli ultimi che restavano , eccettuati quei di Sicilia , furono distrutti dai Lacedemoni , questi appunto perciò si resero potenti, e davano norma allo stato delle altre città. Ora Lacedemone, quantunque, da che fu fabbricata dai Dori che l’abitano adesso, sia stata più lungamente di quante altre sappiamo agitata da sedizioni, pure sino da remotissima età ebbe buone leggi, nè mai fu soggetta a tiranni; essendo sino all' esito di questa guerra circa quattrocent’anni o poco più, che i Lacedemoni serbano il medesimo reggimento. Non molti anni dopo estirpati i tiranni dalla Grecia accadde a Maratona la battaglia de’ Medi con gli Ateniesi : dieci anni dipoi tornò con numerosa armata il barbaro per mettere la Grecia in servaggio. Nell’ imminenza di sì grave pericolo , siccome i Lacedemoni superiori di forze presero il comando dei Greci associati con loro per questa guerra ; così gli Ateniesi alla invasione dei Medi deliberarono di abbandonar la città : «gombraronla di fatto, e saliti sulle navi si fecero gente di mate. Poscia che d’accordo ebbero rispinto il barbaro, poco dopo tanto quei che allora si erano ribellati dal re, quanto gli altri Greci collegati a combatterlo, si divisero fra Lacedemoni ed Ateniesi ; i due popoli che senza paragone si distinguevano in potenza, quelli per terra, questi per mare. Ma durarono poco nella confederazione : anzi venuti manifestamente in discordia combatteansi tra loro coll5 aiuto degli alleati; e d’allora in poi ricorrevano ad essi anche gli altri Greci nelle loro differenze : cosicché dal tempo de' Medi sino a questa guerra, facendo continovamente, ora tregue insieme, ora movendo le armi l' un contro l'altro, o contro gli alleati che si ribellassero, misero in buon assetto gli apparecchi di guerra, e si fecero più esperti esercitandosi in mezzo ai pericoli.