Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Élie-Ami Bétant (Translator), 2.8

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

De part et d’autre on ne formait que de vastes projets et l’on était plein de feu pour cette guerre. Il ne faut pas s’en étonner : c’est toujours au début qu’on déploie le plus d’ardeur. Ajoutez à cela qu’il y avait à cette époque, soit dans le Péloponèse, soit à Athènes, une nombreuse jeunesse qui, par inexpérience, ne demandait pas mieux que d’essayer de la guerre. Tout le reste de la Grèce était dans l’attente, à la veille do ce conflit des plus puissants États. Dans les cités rivales comme dans les autres, ce n’étaient que présages et que devins qui allaient chantant des oracles. De plus, chose inouïe jusqu’alors, Délos avait éprouvé, peu auparavant, une secousse de tremblement de terre ¹, et l’on voyait dans ce phénomène un pronostic des événements qui se préparaient. Toutes les particularités de ce genre étaient recueillies avec avidité. Du reste, la sympathie générale se prononçait hautement en faveur des Lacédémoniens, surtout depuis qu’ils avaient annoncé l’intention d’affranchir la Grèce. Villes et particuliers rivalisalent de zèle pour les seconder selon leur pouvoir, soit en paroles soit en actions; chacun s’imaginait que les affaires souffriraient de son absence. Tant l’animosité contre les Athéniens était grande, les uns voulant se soustraire à leur domination, les autres craignant de la subir.

History of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides. Élie-Ami Bétant (Translator). Paris. 1863.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition First1KGreek

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése (French) (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése. Bétant, Élie-Ami, translator. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1863.)

Editions (1)

Ἱστορίαι Perseus (Thucydides. Historiae, Vol 1-2. Jones, Henry Stuart, editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1910. (1942 printing).) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] ὀλίγον τε ἐπενόουν οὐδὲν ἀμφότεροι, ἀλλ’ ἔρρωντο ἐς τὸν πόλεμον οὐκ ἀπεικότως· ἀρχόμενοι γὰρ πάντες ὀξύτερον ἀντιλαμβάνονται, τότε δὲ καὶ νεότης πολλὴ μὲν οὖσα ἐν τῇ Πελοποννήσῳ, πολλὴ δ’ ἐν ταῖς Ἀθήναις οὐκ ἀκουσίως ὑπὸ ἀπειρίας ἥπτετο τοῦ πολέμου, ἥ τε ἄλλη Ἑλλὰς ἅπασα μετέωρος ἦν ξυνιουσῶν τῶν πρώτων πόλεων.

[2] καὶ πολλὰ μὲν λόγια ἐλέγετο, πολλὰ δὲ χρησμολόγοι ᾖδον ἔν τε τοῖς μέλλουσι πολεμήσειν καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἄλλαις πόλεσιν.

[3] ἔτι δὲ Δῆλος ἐκινήθη ὀλίγον πρὸ τούτων, πρότερον οὔπω σεισθεῖσα ἀφ’ οὗ Ἕλληνες μέμνηνται· ἐλέγετο δὲ καὶ ἐδόκει ἐπὶ τοῖς μέλλουσι γενήσεσθαι σημῆναι. εἴ τέ τι ἄλλο τοιουτότροπον ξυνέβη γενέσθαι, πάντα ἀνεζητεῖτο.

[4] ἡ δὲ εὔνοια παρὰ πολὺ ἐποίει τῶν ἀνθρώπων μᾶλλον ἐς τοὺς Λακεδαιμονίους, ἄλλως τε καὶ προειπόντων ὅτι τὴν Ἑλλάδα ἐλευθεροῦσιν. ἔρρωτό τε πᾶς καὶ ἰδιώτης καὶ πόλις εἴ τι δύναιτο καὶ λόγῳ καὶ ἔργῳ ξυνεπιλαμβάνειν αὐτοῖς· ἐν τούτῳ τε κεκωλῦσθαι ἐδόκει ἑκάστῳ τὰ πράγματα ᾧ μή τις αὐτὸς παρέσται.

[5] οὕτως 〈ἐν〉 ὀργῇ εἶχον οἱ πλείους τοὺς Ἀθηναίους, οἱ μὲν τῆς ἀρχῆς ἀπολυθῆναι βουλόμενοι, οἱ δὲ μὴ ἀρχθῶσι φοβούμενοι.

Translations (10)

The History of the Grecian War Perseus (Thucydides. The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Hobbes, Thomas. translator. London: John Bohn, 1843.) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] Neither side conceived small matters but put their whole strength to the war, and not without reason. For all men in the beginnings of enterprises are the most eager. Besides, there were then in Peloponnesus many young men, and many in Athens, who for want of experience not unwillingly undertook the war. And not only the rest of Greece stood at gaze to behold the two principal states in combat,

[2] but many prophecies were told and many sung by the priests of the oracles both in the cities about to war and in others.

[3] There was also a little before this an earthquake in Delos, which in the memory of the Grecians never shook before, and was interpreted for and seemed to be a sign of what was to come afterwards to pass. And whatsoever thing then chanced of the same nature, it was all sure to be inquired after.

[4] But men's affections for the most part went with the Lacedaemonians, and the rather, for that they gave out they would recover the Grecians' liberty. And every man, both private and public person, endeavoured as much as in them lay both in word and deed to assist them and thought the business so much hindered as himself was not present at it.

[5] In such passion were most men against the Athenians, some for desire to be delivered from under their government and others for fear of falling into it. And these were the preparations and affections brought unto the war.

History of the Peloponnesian War Perseus (Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Crawley, Richard, translator. London and Toronto: J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd.; New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1914.) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] And if both sides nourished the boldest hopes and put forth their utmost strength for the war, this was only natural. Zeal is always at its height at the commencement of an undertaking; and on this particular occasion Peloponnese and Athens were both full of young men whose inexperience made them eager to take up arms, while the rest of Hellas stood straining with excitement at the conflict of its leading cities.

[2] Everywhere predictions were being recited and oracles being chanted by such persons as collect them, and this not only in the contending cities.

[3] Further, some while before this, there was an earthquake at Delos , for the first time in the memory of the Hellenes. This was said and thought to be ominous of the events impending; indeed, nothing of the kind that happened was allowed to pass without remark.

[4] The good wishes of men made greatly for the Lacedaemonians, especially as they proclaimed themselves the liberators of Hellas . No private or public effort that could help them in speech or action was omitted; each thinking that the cause suffered wherever he could not himself see to it.

[5] So general was the indignation felt against Athens , whether by those who wished to escape from her empire, or were apprehensive of being absorbed by it.

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Wahrmund, Adolf, translator. Stuttgart: Krais and Hoffmann, 1864.) — 2.8 focus

Und Nichts Geringes hatte man beiderseits im Sinn,
sondern mit allem Eifer entbrannte man für den Krieg. Natürlich, denn
im Ansange nehmen Alle einen scharfen Anlauf, und damals gab es
überdies noch eine zahlreiche Jugend, sowohl im Peloponnes wie in
Athen, die aus Mangel an Erfahrung sich gern im Kriege versucht
hätte. Das ganze übrige Hellas aber ward in die höchste
Spannung und Erregung versetzt, da es zwischen den zwei mächtigsten
Staaten zum Tanz kam. Man konnte auch viele Prophezeiungen hören, und
die Weissager weissagten unverdrossen, sowohl unter den Teilnehmern
am kommenden Kampse, als auch in den andern Staaten. Dazu kam
noch, daß kurz vor dem die Insel Delos erbebte, die nie vorher von
einem Erdbeben erschüttert worden war, soweit der Hellenen Gedenken
reichte. Das, sagten die Leute, sei ein Vorzeichen der Dinge, die da
kommen sollten, und es wurde auch geglaubt, wie man denn auch
besonders nachsorschte, was Alles dergleichen sich zugetragen habe. Die
guten Wünsche der Menge fielen aber bei Weitem mehr den
Lakedämoniern zu, zumal diese auch erklärten, sie wollten nun Hellas freimachen.
Jeder aber, Privatmann wie Gemeinwesen, war höchlich bemüht, in
Wort und That sich als hülsreicher Freund zu zeigen, und Jeder glaubte,
der gute Fortgang der Dinge sei gehemmt, wo er nicht selbst dabei sei.
So großen Haß nährten die Meisten gegen die Athener, — die Einen,
weil sie deren Joch sich vom Halse schütteln wollten, die Andern, weil
sie auch unter ihre Obmacht zu gerathen sürchteten. In solcher Rüst-
Lust und Thätigkeit brannte man nach des Kriegs Ausbruch.

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Braun, Theodor, translator. Leipzig: Insel-Verlag, 1917.) — 2.8 focus

Beiden standen die Gedanken nicht niedrig, und sie stürzten
sich mit vollem Eifer in den Krieg. Anfangs will eben jeder
hoch hinaus, und zumal die zahlreiche Jugend, die es damals
im Peloponnes sowohl wie in Attika gab, welche den Krieg
noch nicht kannte, brannte vor Kriegslust. Ganz Griechenland
abei^schwebte in banger Erwartung, als die beiden ersten
Staaten gegeneinander in die Schranken traten. Man hörte
viel von Weissagungen, und überall ließen sich Propheten ver
nehmen, nicht nur in den zum Kriege rüstenden Staaten,
sondern auch anderswo. Dazu war die Insel Delos kürzlich
von einem Erdbeben betroffen, wo bis dahin, soweit man in
Griechenland zurückdenken konnte, noch nie ein Erdbeben ge
wesen war. Auch das, so hieß es und glaubte man, deute
auf die Dinge hin, die da kommen sollten. Und allem, was
sich der Art etwa sonst zugetragen, wurde eifrig nachgeforscht.
Die öffentliche Meinung aber war ganz überwiegend für die
Lakedämonier, schon weil sie die Freiheit Griechenlands auf
ihre Fahne schrieben. Alle Welt, einzelne wie Staaten,
konnte sich nicht genugtun, ihnen mit Wort und Tat be
hilflich zu sein, und jeder glaubte, er müsse auch mit dabei
sein, wenn aus der Sache was werden solle. So allgemein
war die Erbitterung gegen die Athener; die einen wollten
ihre Herrschaft abschütteln, die andern fürchteten, unter ihre
Fuchtel zu geraten.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponèse First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése, Vol. 1-2. Zévort, Marie Charles, translator. Paris: Charpentier, 1852.) — 2.8 focus

VIII. De part et d’autre on ne formait que de vastes desseins, et on se préparait à la guerre de toutes ses forces. Cela se conçoit ; au début, on embrasse toujours avec plus d’ardeur ; et, d’ailleurs, il y avait alors, dans le Péloponnèse et à Athènes, une nombreuse jeunesse qui n’était pas fâchée, grâce à son inexpérience, d’essayer de la guerre. Tout le reste de la Grèce contemplait, dans une attente inquiète, la lutte engagée entre les États souverains. De nombreuses prédictions circulaient ; partout les devins chantaient des oracles, soit dans les villes qui allaient en venir aux mains, soit dans le reste de la Grèce¹, Délos avait éprouvé peu auparavant un tremblement de terre, ce qui n’était pas arrivé encore², aussi haut que remontassent les souvenirs des Grecs. On disait et on croyait que c’était là un présage des événements qui se préparaient, et on recherchait curieusement dans le passé tous les indices du même genre. On était, en général, beaucoup plus porté pour les Lacédémoniens, par ce motif surtout qu’ils avaient annoncé l’intention d’affranchir la Grèce. De toutes parts, villes et particuliers rivalisaient d’ardeur et s’empressaient à embrasser leur cause, soit en paroles, soit en action ; chacun croyait que quelque chose pécherait là où il ne serait pas de sa personne ; conséquence naturelle de l’exaspération générale contre les Athéniens ! les uns voulant s’affranchir de leur domination, les autres craignant d’y être soumis. Tels étaient les préparatifs et les dispositions réciproques quand on se jeta dans la lutte.

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides, Vol. 1-4. Smith, Charles Foster, translator. London and Cambridge, MA: Heinemann and Harvard University Press, 1919-1923.) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] There was nothing paltry in the designs of either side; but both put their whole strength into the war, and not without reason, for men always lay hold with more spirit at the beginning, and at this time, in addition, the young men, who were numerous both in the Peloponnesus and in Athens, were unfamiliar enough with war to welcome it. All the rest of Hellas was in anxious suspense as its foremost cities came into conflict with each other.

[2] And many were the prophecies recited and many those which oracle-mongers chanted, both among the peoples who were about to go to war and in the Hellenic cities at large.

[3] Moreover, only a short time before this, Delos had been shaken, although it had not before been visited by an earthquake within the memory of the Hellenes.¹ This was said and believed to be ominous of coming events, and indeed every other incident of the sort which chanced to occur was carefully looked into.

[4] The general good-will, however, inclined decidedly to the side of the Lacedaemonians, especially since they proclaimed that they were liberating Hellas. Every person and every state was strongly purposed to assist them in every possible way, whether by word or by deed, and each man thought that wherever he could not himself be present, there the cause had suffered a check.

[5] To such an extent were the majority of the Hellenes enraged against the Athenians, some wishing to be delivered from their sway, others fearful of falling under it.

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides. The history of the Peloponnesian War, Volume 1-2. Dale, Henry, translator. London: Heinemann and Henry G. Bohn, 1851-1852.) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] Indeed both parties had no small designs, but put forth their strength to the war: and not unnaturally; for all men at the beginning apply themselves to it more eagerly; and at that time the young men, being numerous in the Peloponnese, and also at Athens, were, through their inexperience, not unwilling to engage in the war. And the rest of Greece was all in excitement at the conflict of the principal states.

[2] And many ¹ prophecies were repeated, and reciters of oracles were singing many of them, both amongst those who were going to war and in the other states.

[3] Moreover, Delos had been visited by an earthquake a short time before this, though it had never had a shock before in the memory of the Greeks; and it was said and thought to have been ominous of what was about to take place. And whatever else of this kind had happened to occur was all searched up.

[4] The good wishes of men made greatly for the Lacedaemonians, especially as they gave out that they were the liberators of Greece. And every individual, as well as state put forth his strength to help them in whatever he could, both by word and deed,; and each thought that the cause was impeded at that point at which he himself would not be present. So angry were the generality with the Athenians;

[5] some from a wish to be released from their dominion, others from a fear of being brought under it. With such preparations and feelings then did they enter on the contest.

Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci First1KGreek (Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci. Haase, Friedrich, translator. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1869.) — 2.8.1 focus

[1] Utrique autem nihil parvum animis versabant, sed totis viribus in hoc bellum incumbebant, idque non injuria. Omnes enim mortales rerum initia ardentius capessere solent ; tunc vero etiam magna juventutis copia, quae in Peloponneso , magna item, quae Athenis erat, propter rerum imperitiam non invita bellum suscipiebat, et reliqua Graecia tota animis erat erecta, quum primae civitates concurrerent.

[2] Multa quoque oracula ferebantur, multa vates canebant, tam in iis civitatibus, quae bellum erant gesturae, quam in aliis.

[3] Praeterea Delus etiam paulo ante haeo tremuit, quae nunquam antea post Graecorum memoriam mola fuerat. Haec autem et dicebantur et videbantur esse rerum futurarum prodigia. Et, si qua alia hujusmodi signa forte contigissent, omnia conquirebantur.

[4] Hominum autem benivolentia longe major ad Lacedaemonios inclinabat, praecipue quod illi Graeciam a se in libertatem vindicari praedicarant. Et pro se quisque et privati et civitates omni ope nitebantur, si quo modo illos aut verbis aut factis adjuvare possent; et in eo singuli moram rebus gerendis allatam arbitrabantur, si ipsi rebus non interessent.

[5] Ea erat indignatio, qua plerique in Athenienses ferebantur, alii quod eorum imperio se liberari cupiebant, alii quod metuebant, ne illorum Imperio parere cogerentur.

Vier Staatsreden aus Thucydides First1KGreek (Thucydides. Vier Staatsreden aus Thucydides. Gürsching, Heinrich, translator. Augsburg: Wirth, 1856.) — 2.35.1 focus

[1] Wenn es bisher bei den Rednern an dieser Stätte fast allgemeiner Brauch geworden, den Mann zu rühmen, der mit der Bestattung diese Rede verband, weil an dem Grabe gefallener Krieger ein ehrendes Wort sich zieme, so würde ich es für hinreichend gehalten haben, dass man Helden der That mit einer festlichen Handlung ehre, — wie das denn der Staat durch die Bestattung gethan hat, deren Zeugen ihr so eben gewesen — und würde die Verherrlichung so vieler Männer nicht einem Einzelnen und der zufälligen Wirkung seines Vortrags anheimgegeben haben.

La storia di Tucidide First1KGreek (Thucydides. Della storia di Tucidide volgarizzata libri otto. Anonymous translator. Florence: Tipografia Galileiana, 1835.) — 2.8 focus

Grandi pensieri ravvolgevano entrambi nella mente,, e con tutto l’ardore si disponevano alla guerra : nè meraviglia; perchè tutti nel cominciamento delle cose hanno maggior veemenza. Era allora il tempo che la numerosa gioventù del Peloponneso e d’Atene di buona voglia intraprendeva la guerra, perchè di essa inesperta ; e tutto il rimanente di Grecia era in gran sollevazione dell’animo, in vedendo le due primarie Repubbliche venir tra loro a contesa. Molto si udiva parlare di risposte d’oracoli, molti presagi in versi cantavano gli indovini, sì nei luoghi oy’ era bramosia di guerra, sì negli altri. Senza di che poco innanzi a. questi avvenimenti fu scossa da terremoto Deio, che a memoria dei Greci non aveva mai per lo addietro sofferto ciò; e dicevasi e credevasi comunemente essere quello stato il segnale delle future calamità ; e qualunque cosa di simil fatta accadesse, tutto particolarmente si investigava. Ciò non pertanto la benevolenza dei popoli inchinava maggiormente ai Lacedemoni, tanto più ch’ei si spacciavano per liberatori della Grecia : e ciascuno in particolare e le città insieme , tutti travagliavansi ansiosamente per cooperare con esso loro con parole o con fatti, avvisando ognuno dover restare impediti gli affari là appunto, ove mancasse l’opera sua. A tal seguo ]a maggior parte avevano in odio gli Ateniesi ; desiderando alcuni d’esser liberati dal loro dominio, altri temendo di non esservi sottoposti. Con tale apparecchio e concitamento dell’animo erano in su le mosse.

Notes on the current edition

History of the Peloponnesian War

Nouveau démenti donné à Hérodote, lequel (VI, xcvm) affirme que Délos éprouva un tremblement de terre peu avant la guerre Médique. On a cherché assez inutilement «à concilier ces deux assertions contradictoires.

Commentary

Commentary on Thucydides Book 2 (Thucydides, Book II. Marchant, Edgar C., editor. London: Macmillan and Company, 1891.) focus

Οὔτε ... τε —the two results, like the two causes, are introduced by parallel clauses.

ἔπεμπον κελεύοντες —c. 6, 2.

Οἱ Π. καὶ οἱ ξ. —the former=those sent with Cnemus, the latter the Ambraciots and barbarians. See c. 9, 2.

λόγοις ... ἔργῳ —the antithesis gives a good idea of their confidence that they would succeed.

Μέσον —art. omitted, as with δεξιὸν κέρας. προς‐ ῇσαν— i.e. ᾗσαν πρὸς την πόλιν.

Διὰ φυλακῆς ἔ. —cf. c. 13, 2, but here ἔχειν is intrans., as in VII. 8, 3.

ἀξιούμενοι —‘considered,’

οὔτ’ ἐπέσχον —sc. τὸν νοῦν, ‘had no intention.’ This description is slightly sarcastic.

τὸ στρατόπεδον — i.e. the camp which they had arranged to form, 2 above.

καταλαβεῖν —‘occupy,’ establish themselves in, as III. 31 τῶν πόλεων καταλαβεῖν τινα. (According to Behrendt's conjecture, the sense would be ‘did not pause in their effort to occupy Stratus before the Greeks’; τὸ belonging to the infin., cf. VII. 33, 3 ἐπέσχον τὸ εὐθέως ἐπιχειρεῖν.)

αὐτοβοεὶ —noted by Marcellinus as ἀρχαιότερον τῶν κατ’ αὐτὸν χρόνων. Cf. c. 77, 3 φακέλους.

Ἔτι προσιόντας — i.e. that they had not halted, like the Greeks. Cf. ἔτι προσελθεῖν below and c. 21, 1.

ὁμοίως —‘as they had intended.’

ὁμόσε χωρήσαντες —c. 62, 3.

Καταστάντων — i.e. τῶν Χαόνων καὶ τῶν ἄλλων. M. T. 848.

Οἰηθῆναι —sc. τοὺς Ἕλληνας. For the change of sub- ject, cf. c. 3, 4.

καταληψομένους —sc. τοὺς βαρβάρους.

ἀνελάμβανον —as they arrived in scattered bodies.

ἄνευ ὅ. κινηθῆναι —without arms they could not stir, and even ξὺν ὅπλοις it was dangerous for small foraging parties.

τοῦτο ποιεῖν — i.e. σφενδονᾶν. Cf. c. 11, 8.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 2.8

Élie-Ami Bétant (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition First1KGreek

Notes on the current edition

Commentary

Stable identifiers