Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.38

[1] In the meantime the governors of Boeotia thought fit that an oath should first be taken by themselves and by the ambassadors from Corinth, Megara, and the confederates upon Thrace to give mutual assistance upon any occasion to them that should require it and neither to make war nor peace without the common consent; and next that the Boeotians and Megareans (for these two ran the same course) should make a league with the Argives.

[2] But before this oath was [to be] taken, the governors of Boeotia communicated the business to the four Boeotian councils, in the which the whole authority of the state consisteth, and withal presented their advice that any city that would might join with them in the like oath for mutual assistance.

[3] But they that were of these councils approved not the proposition, because they feared to offend the Lacedaemonians in being sworn to the Corinthians that had revolted from their confederacy. For the governors of Boeotia had not reported unto them what had passed at Lacedaemon, how Cleobulus and 38enares, the ephores, and their friends there had advised them to enter first into league with the Argives and Corinthians and then afterwards to make the same league with the Lacedaemonians; for they thought that the councils, though this had never been told them, would have decreed it no otherwise than they upon premeditation should advise.

[4] So the business was checked and the ambassadors from Corinth and from the cities upon Thrace departed without effect. And the governors of Boeotia, that were before minded, if they had gotten this done, to have league themselves also with the Argives, made no mention of the Argives in the councils at all nor sent the ambassadors to Argos, as they had before promised; but a kind of carelessness and delay possessed the whole business.

[1] In the meantime it was decided by the Boeotarchs, the Corinthians, the Megarians, and the envoys from Thrace first to interchange oaths together to give help to each other whenever it was required and not to make war or peace except in common; after which the Boeotians and Megarians, who acted together, should make the alliance with Argos .

[2] But before the oaths were taken the Boeotarchs communicated these proposals to the four councils of the Boeotians, in whom the supreme power resides, and advised them to interchange oaths with all such cities as should be willing to enter into a defensive league with the Boeotians.

[3] But the members of the Boeotian councils refused their assent to the proposal, being afraid of offending Lacedaemon by entering into a league with the deserter Corinth ; the Boeotarchs not having acquainted them with what had passed at Lacedaemon and with the advice given by Cleobulus and Xenares and the Boeotian partisans there, namely, that they should become allies of Corinth and Argos as a preliminary to a junction with Lacedaemon ; fancying that, even if they should say nothing about this, the councils would not vote against what had been decided and advised by the Boeotarchs.

[4] This difficulty arising, the Corinthians and the envoys from Thrace departed without anything having been concluded; and the Boeotarchs, who had previously intended after carrying this to try and effect the alliance with Argos , now omitted to bring the Argive question before the councils, or to send to Argos the envoys whom they had promised; and a general coldness and delay ensued in the matter.

Unterdessen beschlossen die Böotarchen und die Korinther
sammt den Megarern und den Thrakischen Gesandten, sich zuerst ¹
unter einander gegenseitig Eide zu schwören, im Fall der Noth
treulich dem beizustehen, der es bedürfen solle, und weder Krieg zu
führen noch Frieden zu schließen ohne gemeinsame Übereinkunft; und so
sollten denn sogleich die Boöter und Megarer, — denn hier waltete
Einstimmigkeit ob —, mit den Argivern den Vertrag abschließen.
Bevor jedoch die Eide geshcworen wurden, machten die Böotarchen
darüber Mittheilung an die vier Rathsbehörden der Böoter, welche
in allen Dingen die oberste Entscheidung haben, und trugen darauf
an, daß alle Städte den Schwur leisten sollten, welche sich ihnen zu
gemeinsamem Nutzen eidlich verbinden wollten. Die im Rath der
Böoter gingen aber darauf nicht ein aus Besorgniß, sie möchten etwas
den Lakedämoniern Anstößiges thun, wenn sie Eidgenossen der
Korinther würden, die von jenen abgefallen waren. Denn die
Böotarchen hatten ihnen nicht mitgetheilt, welche Nachrichten aus Lakedämon
mitgebracht worden waren, — daß nämlich die Ephoren Kleobnlos
und Xenares und deren Freunde aufgefordert hatten, zuerst
Bundesgenossen der Argiver und Korinther und dann mit diesen Verbündete
der Lakedämonier zu werden —, in der Meinung, der Rath werde
auch ohne diese Mittheilung nichts Anderes beschließen, als was sie
selbst vorher ausgemacht und dann zum Beschluß empfohlen hatten.
Da nun so ein Riegel vorgeschoben war, so reisten die Korinther
und die von Thrakien gekommenen Gesandten unverrichteter Dinge
wieder ab; die Böotarchen aber, welche, wenn sie erst damit
durchgedrungen wären, beabsichtigt hatten, den Abschluß eines Waffen-
bündnisses mit den Argivern zu versuchen, stellten jetzt gar keine
Anträge mehr an die Nathsbehörden in Betreff der Argiver und
schickten nicht einmal die versprochene Gesandtschaft nach Argos, wie
denn das ganze Geschäft nachlässig und schläfrig betrieben wurde.

Inzwischen beschlossen die Böotarchen, die Korinther, die
Megarer und die Gesandten aus Thrakien, sich zunächst gegen­
seitig eidlich zu verpflichten, daß sie Vorkommendenfalls auf
Verlangen einander beistehen und ohne Zustimmung aller mit
niemand Krieg anfangen oder Bündnisse eingehen wollten,
und so sollten dann auch die Böotier und Megarer, die hierin
einen Strang zogen, das Bündnis mit Argos schließen. Be­
vor es jedoch zur Eidesleistung kam, machten die Böotarchen
den vier hohen Ratshöfen der Böotier, denen in allem die
letzte Entscheidung zusteht, hiervon Mitteilung und schlugen
ihnen vor, mit allen Städten, die es in ihrem Interesse fänden,
sich ihnen anzuschließen, ein solches Bündnis einzugehen. Die
Ratsherren aber wollten davon nichts hören, aus Furcht, den
Lakedämoniern durch ein Bündnis mit den von ihnen ab­
gefallenen Korinthern Anstoß zu geben. Die Böotarchen hatten
ihnen nämlich von den Verhandlungen in Lakedämon, daß die
Ephoren A'enares und Kleobulos und ihre dortigen Freunde
ihnen geraten, erst mit Korinth und Argos und dann auch
mit Lakedämon ein Bündnis einzugehen, nichts gesagt, in der
Annahme, sie würden auch ohne dies nichts anderes beschließen,
als was sie ihnen auf Grund der vorläufigen Verabredungen
ihrerseits vorschlügen. Als die Sache auf Hindernisse stieß,
reisten die Korinther und die Gesandten aus Thrakien wieder
ab, ohne etwas zuwege gebracht zu haben. Die Böotarchen
aber, welche ursprünglich gehofft, wenn sie das erreicht, auch
das Bündnis mit Argos durchsetzen zu können, kamen nun
den Ratshöfen gar nicht mehr^mit den Argeiern, schickten
auch die Gesandten nicht nach Argos, wie sie versprochen
hatten. Die ganze Sache wurde überhaupt lau und lässig
betrieben.

XXXVIII. Cependant les Béotarques, les Corinthiens, les Mégariens et les députés de la Thrace jugèrent à propos de s’engager d’abord par des serments mutuels à s’entr’aider dans l’occurrence, et à ne faire ni la guerre ni la paix avec qui que ce fût que d’un commun accord. Ces réserves stipulées, les Béotiens et les Mégariens, qui faisaient cause commune, devaient ensuite traiter avec les Argiens. Avant de prêter le serment, les Béotarques firent part de ce projet aux quatre conseils de la Béotie, en qui résident tous les pouvoirs, et demandèrent qu’on se liât par serment avec toutes les villes qui voudraient prendre le même engagement avec eux pour la défense commune. Mais les conseils des Béotiens repoussèrent ces propositions, dans la crainte de se mettre en opposition avec les Lacédémoniens, en s’unissant aux Corinthiens qui avaient rompu avec eux ¹ . Car les Béotarques ne leur avaient pas communiqué ce qui s’était passé à Lacédémone, à savoir l’invitation faite par les éphores Xenarès et Cléobule, ainsi que par leurs amis, de s’allier d’abord avec les Argiens et les Corinthiens, pour entrer ensuite dans l’alliance de Lacédémone : ils avaient pensé que, même sans cette déclaration, les conseils voteraient, sur leur proposition, tout ce qu’ils auraient arrêté d’avance. L’affaire ayant pris un tour différent, les Corinthiens et les députés de la Thrace s’en allèrent sans avoir rien fait. Les Béotarques, qui précédemment étaient résolus, s’ils avaient réussi sur ce point, à travailler à une alliance avec les Argiens, ne firent dès lors aucune proposition aux conseils relativement à Argos, et n’envoyèrent pasdans cette ville les députés qu’ils avaient promis : tout languit et fut ajourné.

[1] In the meantime it was determined by the boeotarchs and the Corinthians, the Megarians, and the envoys from Thrace, first, to bind themselves by oaths one to another, that assuredly when occasion offered they would assist the one that needed help and would not go to war with anyone or make peace without a common agreement; and that then and only then the Boeotians and the Megarians—for they were acting in concert ¹ — should make a treaty with the Argives.

[2] But before the oaths were sworn the boeotarchs communicated these resolutions to the four councils of the Boeotians which have supreme authority, and recommended that oaths be exchanged with such cities as wished to take oaths with them for mutual assistance.

[3] But the members of the Boeotian council did not accept the proposal, fearing that they might offend the Lacedaemonians by taking oaths with the Corinthians who had seceded from their confederacy. For the boeotarchs did not tell them what had happened at Lacedaemon—that it was the ephors, Cleobulus and Xenares, and their own friends who advised them first to become allies of the Argives and Corinthians, and then in conjunction with these to become allies of the Lacedaemonians; for they thought that the council, ² without their making any such statement, would not vote for any other course than that which they had previously resolved upon and now recommended.

[4] But now, when this difficulty arose, the Corinthians and the envoys from Thrace went away without accomplishing their purpose; and the boeotarchs, who had before intended, if they carried these measures, to try to effect also the alliance with the Argives, did not now bring before the councils the matter concerning the Argives, nor did they send to Argos the envoys they had promised; and there was neglect and delay in the whole business.

[1] In the mean time it was determined by the Boeotarchs, the Corinthians, the Megareans, and the ambassadors from Thrace, in the first place, to bind themselves by oaths to each other, that assuredly, when occasion offered, they would assist the party which needed it; and that they would carry on war with none, or make peace, without common assent; and that so the Boeotians and Megareans (for they had the same object before them) should then enter into treaty with the Argives.

[2] But before the oaths were taken, the Boeotarchs communicated these resolutions to the four councils of the Boeotians, which have the sole power of ratifying measures; and recommended to them that oaths should be exchanged with such cities as wished to league with them for mutual assistance.

[3] However, the members of the Boeotian councils did not accede to the plan, fearing that they should do what was displeasing to the Lacedaemonians, if they leagued with the Corinthians, who had separated from them. For the Boeotarchs did not tell them of what had taken place at Lacedaemon, namely, that Cleobulus and Xenares, amongst the ephors, and their friends, advised them first to enter into alliance with the Argives and Corinthians, and then to join the Lacedaemonians; as they imagined, that though they should not mention it, the council would decree nothing different from what they had ¹ previously determined on, and now recommended to their country.

[4] When the business had met with this check, the ambassadors from Corinth and Thrace departed without concluding any thing; while the Boeotarchs, who before intended, if they carried these measures, to attempt also to effect the alliance with the Argives, did not now bring the question of the Argives before the councils, or send to Argos the ambassadors they had promised; but there arose an indifference and procrastination in the whole business.

[1] Interea vero boeotarchis et Corinthiis et Megarensibus et legatis ex Thracia missis primum placebat, ut jurejurando interposito fidem sibi mutuo darent, quo-tiescunque res hoc flagitaret, opem ei se laturos, qui ope indigeret, nec se bellum cuiquam illaturos neque compositionem facturos, nisi de communi sententia, et ita nunc jam Boeoti et Megarenses (idem enim faciebant) cum Argivis foedus facere.

[2] Verum antequam jusjurandum juraretur, boeotarchae rem communicarunt cum quatuor Boeotorum consiliis, quae summam rerum Boeoticarum potestatem habent, et suadebant, ut jurejurando interposito foedus cum illis civitatibu$ iniretur, quaecunque mutui auxilii gratia secum foedus adhibito jurejurando facere vellent.

[3] At Boeoti, qui in illis consiliis erant, rem non probarunt, veriti, ne Lacedaemoniis adversarentur, si cum Corinthiis, qui ab illis defecerant, interposito jurejurando foedus facerent; neque enim boeotarchae ipsis dixerant ea, quae Lacedaemone allata erant, et ex ephoris Cleobulum et Xenarem, et alios arhicos suadere, ut prius cum Argivis et Corinthiis societatem inirent, deinde cum Lacedaemoniis eandem facerent, rati, illos qui erant in consilio, quamvis haec non dixissent, tamen nihil aliud decreturos, quam quod ipsi a se prius deliberatum iis suasissent.

[4] Sed quum res contra cecidisset, Corinthii quidem et legati ex Thracia missi infecto negotio abierunt; boeotarchae vero, qui, si haec persuadere potuissent, operam dare statuerant, ut etiam cum Argivis societatem inirent, nec de Argivis quicquam amplius ad consilia retulerunt, nec legatos, quos se missuros promiserant, Argos miserunt, sed incuria quaedam incedebat et rerum omnium procrastinatio.

In questo parve ai Beotarchi, ai Corintii, ai Megaresi ed ai legati di Tracia che prima si giurasse tra loro scambievolmente di portare all’occorrenza soccorso a chi ne li pregasse ; e di non far guerra o accomodamenti senza il generale consentimento ; e che allora poi i Beozii e i Megaresi, i quali facevano causa comune, stringessero pure alleanza con gli Argivi. Prima però che si dessero il giuramento, i Beotarchi comunicarono queste proposizioni ai quattro consigli dei Beozii, i quali hanno piena autorità: e li esortarono a far giuramento con quelle città che per difesa scambievole volessero con loro giurare alleanza. Ma quei Beozii che erano di consiglio, temendo che farebbero contro ai Lacedemoni se si congiungessero co’Corintii già ribellati ad essi, rigettano la proposta; avvegnaché i Beotarchi (stimando che il consiglio, quantunque non ragguagliato della cosa, pure non decreterebbe altrimenti da quello che essi proponevano dopo fattone esame) non li avessero informati dell’ accaduto a Sparta, cioè qualmente non solo gli efori Cleobulo e Xenara , ma anche i loro aderenti li confortavano a far prima lega con gli Argivi e co’Corintii, e quindi ad entrare in quella de’Lacedemoni. Così incagliato l’affare, i Corintii e i legati di Tracia partirono senza nulla concludere. I Beotarchi, i quali da prima, se avessero ottenuta su di ciò P approvazione de' consigli, erano determinati di adoprarsi per fare alleanza anche con Argo, non fecero più verun rapporto ai consigli per conto degli Argivi , e neppure spedirono ad Argo i legati, come avevano promesso ; anzi tutto procedeva con traacnraggine e lentezza.