Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 2.80

[1] Not long after this, the same summer, the Ambraciotes and Chaonians, desiring to subdue all Acarnania and to make it revolt from the Athenians, persuaded the Lacedaemonians to make ready a fleet out of the confederate cities and to send a thousand men of arms into Acarnania, saying that if they aided them both with a fleet and a land army at once, the Acarnanians of the seacoast being thereby disabled to assist the rest, having easily gained Acarnania they might be masters afterward both of Zacynthus and Cephalonia and the Athenians hereafter less able to make their voyages about Peloponnesus, and that there was a hope beside to take Naupactus.

[2] The Peloponnesians assenting sent thither Cnemus, who was yet admiral, with his men of arms in a few galleys immediately, and withal sent word to the cities about, as soon as their galleys were ready, to sail with all speed to Leucas.

[3] Now the Corinthians were very zealous in the behalf of the Ambraciotes, as being their own colony. And the galleys which were to go from Corinth, Sicyonia, and that part of the coast were now making ready;

[4] and those of the Leucadians, Anactorians, and Ambraciotes were arrived before and stayed at Leucas for their coming. Cnemus and his thousand men of arms, when they had crossed the sea undescried of Phormio, who commanded the twenty Athenian galleys that kept watch at Naupactus, presently prepared for the war by land.

[5] He had in his army of Grecians, the Ambraciotes, Leucadians, Anactorians, and the thousand Peloponnesians he brought with him; and of barbarians, a thousand Chaonians, who have no king but were led by Photius and Nicanor, which two being of the families eligible had now the annual government. With the Chaonians came also the Thesprctians, they also without a king.

[6] The Molossians and Atintanians were led by Sabylinthus, protector of Tharups their king, who was yet in minority. The Parauaeans were led by their king Oroedus; and under Oroedus served likewise, by permission of Antiochus their king, a thousand Orestians.

[7] Also Perdiccas sent thither, unknown to the Athenians, a thousand Macedonians;

[8] but these last were not yet arrived. With this army began Cnemus to march without staying for the fleet from Corinth. And passing through Argeia, they destroyed Limnaea, a town unwalled. From thence they marched towards Stratus, the greatest city of Acarnania, conceiving that if they could take this first, the rest would come easily in.

[1] The same summer, not long after this, the Ambraciots and Chaonians, being desirous of reducing the whole of Acarnania and detaching it from Athens , persuaded the Lacedaemonians to equip a fleet from their confederacy and send a thousand heavy infantry to Acarnania , representing that if a combined movement were made by land and sea, the coast Acarnanians would be unable to march; and the conquest of Zacynthus and Cephallenia easily following on the possession of Acarnania , the cruise round Peloponnese would be no longer so convenient for the Athenians. Besides which there was a hope of taking Naupactus .

[2] The Lacedaemonians accordingly at once sent off a few vessels with Cnemus, who was still high admiral, and the heavy infantry on board; and sent round orders for the fleet to equip as quickly as possible and sail to Leucas .

[3] The Corinthians were the most forward in the business; the Ambraciots being a colony of theirs. While the ships from Corinth , Sicyon and the neighborhood were getting ready, and those from Leucas , Anactorium and Ambracia , which had arrived before, were waiting for them at Leucas ,

[4] Cnemus and his thousand heavy infantry had run into the gulf, giving the slip to Phormio, the commander of the Athenian squadron stationed off Naupactus , and began at once to prepare for the land expedition.

[5] The Hellenic troops with him consisted of the Ambraciots, Leucadians, and Anactorians, and the thousand Peloponnesians with whom he came; the barbarian of a thousand Chaonians, who, belonging to a nation that has no king, were led by Photius and Nicanor, the two members of the royal family to whom the chieftainship for that year had been confided. With the Chaonians came also some Thesprotians, like them without a king,

[6] some Molossians and Atintanians led by Sabylinthus, the guardian of king Tharyps who was still a minor, and some Paravaeans, under their King Oroedus, accompanied by a thousand Orestians, subjects of King Antiochus and placed by him under the command of Oroedus.

[7] There were also a thousand Macedonians sent by Perdiccas without the knowledge of the Athenians, but they arrived too late.

[8] With this force Cnemus set out, without waiting for the fleet from Corinth . Passing through the territory of Amphilochian Argos , and sacking the open village of Limnaea, they advanced to Stratus the Acarnanian capital; this once taken, the rest of the country, they felt convinced would speedily follow.

Im Laufe desselben Sommers, nicht lange nach diesen
Vorfällen, wollten die Amprakioten und Chaoner ganz Akarnanien sich
unterwerfen und den Athenern abwendig machen und überredeten die
Lakedämonier, aus Bundesmitteln eine Flotte zu rüsten und Tausend
Schwerbewaffnete nach Akarnanien zu werfen. Wenn die Spartaner,
sagten sie, mit Landtrnppen und mit Schiffen kämen, so daß dadurch
die Akarnanier des Binnenlandes verhindert wären, zu Hülfe zu
kommen, so könnten sie leicht Akarnanien besetzen und von hier aus auch
die Inseln Zakynthos (Zante) und Kephallenia in ihre Gewalt
bekommen, und dann könnten auch die Athener nicht mehr wie früher
den Peloponnes umschiffen; vielleicht könne man sogar Naupaktos
wegnehmen. Die Lakedämonier ließen sich bereden und schickten den
Knemos, der noch Befehlshaber der Flotte war, und die
Schwerbe waffneten auf wenigen Schiffen sogleich ab; der Flotte befahlen sie ¹
allsogleich nach vollendeter Ausrüstung gen Leukas zu segeln. Den
meisten Eifer für die Amprakioten zeigten die Korinther, deren
Pslanzvolk jene waren. Die Schiffe von Korinth nun und Sikyon und den
andern dortigen Plätzen waren noch m der Ausrustung begriffen, die
von Leukas aber und Anaktorion und Amprakia waren schon am
Platze und warteten bei Leukas. Knemos und seine Tausend
Schwerbewaffneten waren übergefahren, ohne daß Phormio, Befehlshaber der
zwanzig attischen Schiffe, die bei Naupaktos aus Wache standen, es
bemerkt hätte, und trafen nun sogleich ihre Anstalten zum Landfeldzuge.
Bei ihm waren von Hellenen Amprakioten, Leukadier und Anaktorier
und die Tausend Peloponnesier, die er selbst führte; von Barbaren
Tausend Chaoner, welche keinen König haben; ihre Anführer, welche
immer auf ein Jahr aus dem herrschenden Geschlecht gewählt werden,
waren Photyos und Nikanor. Mit den Chaonern zogen auch
Thesproter zu Felde, die ebenfalls nicht unter königlicher Herrschast stehen.
Die Molofser und Atintaner führte Sabylinthos, Vormund des
Königs Tharyps, der noch ein Kind war; die Paraväer ihr König
Oroidos; Tausend Orestier, deren König Antiochos ist, standen mit des
Antiochos Erlaubniß mit den Paraväern unter den Befehlen des
Oroidos. Auch Perdikkas hatte, ohne daß die Athener es merkten,
Tausend Makedonier abgeschickt, die aber zu spät kamen.

Mit diesem Heere setzte sich Knemos in Marsch, ohne die Flotte
von Korinth abzuwarten. Durch ^das amphilochische^ Argos ziehend,
verwüsteten sie den offenen Flecken Limnäa. Dann zogen sie gegen
Stratos, die größte Stadt Akarnaniens, in der Meinung, daß Alles
übrige ihnen leicht zufallen würde, wenn sie erst diese genommen
hätten.

In demselben Sommer, nicht lange nach diesen Ereig­
nissen, wollten die Amprakier und Chaoner ganz Akarnanien
unterwerfen und es den Athenern abwendig machen. Sie
schlugen deshalb den Lakedämoniern vor, von Bundes wegen
eine Flotte auszurüsten und tausend Hopliten nach Akarna­
nien zu schicken; denn, so setzten sie ihnen auseinander, wenn
sie zugleich zu Lande und zur See dort ershcienen, würden
die Akarnanier aus dem Innern ihren Landsleuten nicht zu
Hilfe kommen können, sie aber in der Lage sein, mit Leich­
tigkeit Akarnanien und dann auch Zakynthos und Kephallenia
zu unterwerfen und damit den Athenern die Möglichkeit ab­
zuschneiden, so wie bisher mit ihren Schiffen den Peloponnes
zu umfahren, ja selbst Aussicht haben, auch Naupaktos zu
nehmen. Die Lakedämonier gingen daraus auch ein und
schickten Knemos, der noch Befehlshaber der Flotte war, mit
den Hopliten auf ein paar Schiffen sogleich hinaus, gaben
aber auch der Flotte Befehl, sich fertigzumachen und nn­
verzüglich nach Leukas abzugehen. Dabei war niemand eifriger
für die Amprakier als die Korinther, deren alte Landsleute
sie ja waren. Während die Schiffe in Korinth, Sikyon und
anderen Orten dort in der Gegend erst noch ausgerüstet wurden,
waren die aus Leukas und Amprakia schon zur Stelle und
warteten bei Leukas auf die anderen. Nachdem Knemos mit
seinen tausend Hopliten an Phormion, der ihm mit zwanzig
attischen Schiffen bei Naupaktos aufpaßte, unbemerkt vorbei-
gekommen war, traf er sofort Anstalt zu einem Landfeldzuge.
An Griechen hatte er Amprakier, Leukadier, Anaktorier und
seine tausend Peloponnesier unter sich, an Barbaren tausend
Chaoner. Diese, die keinen König haben, standen unter dem
Befehl von Photyos und Nikanor, den beiden Mitgliedern des
herrshcenden Geschlechts, welche für das Jahr an der Re­
gierung waren. Den Chaonern hatten sich die Thesproten
angeschlossen, die auch keinen König haben. Die Molosser
und Atintaner führte Sabylinthos als Vormund des noch
unmündigen Königs Tharypos, die Parauaier ihr König
Oroidos. Tausend Orester, die den Feldzug mitmachten,
standen mit Genehmigung ihres Königs Antiochos mit den
Paranaiern unter Oroidos'Befehl. Auch Perdikkas schickte, ohne
daß die Athener darum wußten, tausend Makedonier, die
jedoch zu spät kamen. Mit diesen Truppen setzte Knemos
sich in Marsch, ohne die Ankunft der Flotte von Korinth ab­
zuwarten. Auf dem Zuge durchs Argaiische zerstörten sie
Limnaia, einen offenen Flecken, und rückten dann vor Stratos,
die größte Stadt Akarnaniens, in der Meinung, wenn sie die
erst erst eingenommen hätten, würde ihnen alles übrige von
selbst zufallen.

Le même été, peu après ces événements, les Ambraciotes et les Chaoniens, désirant soumettre toute l’Acarnanie et la détacher d’Athènes, obtinrent des Lacédémoniens l’armement de cent vaisseaux alliés et l’envoi de mille hoplites en Acarnanie. Ils assuraient qu’en attaquant ce pays par mer et par terre, on empêcherait les Acarnaniens de la côte de se réunir à ceux de l’intérieur ; qu’une fois en possession de ΓΔ-carnanie, on s’emparerait aisément de Zacynthe et de Céphallé-nie, ce qui enlèverait aux Athéniens la facilité de faire le tour du Péloponèse ; qu’enfin il se pourrait qu’on prît Naupacte ellemême. Les Lacédémoniens persuadés envoyèrent aussitôt leurs hoplites et quelques bâtiments sous la conduite de Cnémosy encore navarque à cette époque ¹ . Leurs alliés eurent ordre de diriger au plus tôt sur Leucade leurs vaisseaux en état de tenir la mer. Les Corinthiens appuyaient chaudement les Ambraciotes leurs colons. Les vaisseaux de Corinthe, de Sicyone et des villes voisines étaient en armement ; ceux de Leucade, d’A-nactorion et d’Ambracie, arrivés les premiers au rendez-vous, les y attendaient. Cnémos, avec ses mille hoplites, trompa, dans sa traversée, la surveillance de Phormion, en croisière à Naupacte avec vingt vaisseaux athéniens, et prépara sans délai son expédition de terre.

Son armée se composait de Grecs et de barbares. Les premiers étaient des Ambraciotes, des Leucadiens, des Anactoriens et les mille Péloponésiens qu’il avait amenés. Quant aux barbares, c’étaient d’abord mille Chaoniens indépendants ² , commandés par leurs chefs annuels, Photios et Nicanor, de la famille dominante. Avec les Chaoniens marchaient des Thes-protes également indépendants. Venaient ensuite des Molosses et des Atintanes, commandés par Sabylinthios, tuteur de leur roi Tharypas encore enfant, des Paravéens, conduits par leur roi Orœdos, auquel Antiochos, roi des Orestes, avait confié mille hommes de cette nation. Perdiccas avait aussi envoyé, à l’insu des Athéniens, mille Macédoniens ; mais ceux-ci arrivèrent trop tard.

Ce fut avec cette armée que Cnémos se mit en marche, sans attendre la flotte de Corinthe. Il traversa le pays des Argiens ³ , pilla Limnéa, village sans défense, et se porta contre Stratos, principale ville de l’Acarnanie, dans la pensée que, s’il parvenait à s’en rendre maître, le reste du pays se soumettrait sans difficulté.

[1] During the same summer, not long after these events, the Ambraciots and Chaonians, wishing to subdue the whole of Acarnania and detach it from Athens, persuaded the Lacedaemonians to fit out a fleet from the countries of the Doric alliance and to send a thousand hoplites against Acarnania, saying that, if they joined forces with them, bringing ships and infantry, it would be an easy matter first to occupy Acarnania since the Acarnanians on ¹ the seacoast would be unable to aid those inland, and then to make themselves masters of Zacynthus and Cephallenia also: after that the Athenians would no longer be able to sail round the Peloponnesus in the same way as before;

[2] and there was a chance of taking Naupactus also. The Lacedaemonians agreed and at once despatched Cnemus, who was still admiral, ² and the hoplites on a few ships, and sent round orders to the allied fleet to make their preparations and sail as soon as possible to Leucas.

[3] And the Corinthians were especially eager to support the enterprise of the Ambraciots, who were colonists of theirs. The contingent of the fleet to come from Corinth and Sicyon and the places in that quarter was still under preparation, but that from Leucas and Anactorium and Ambracia, arriving first, waited at Leucas.

[4] As for Cnemus and the thousand hoplites, as soon as they had succeeded in crossing over without being detected by Phormio, who was in command of the twenty Athenian ships that were on guard off Naupactus, ³ they began at once to prepare for the expedition by land.

[5] He had with him, of Hellenic troops, some Ambraciots, Anactorians and Leucadians, and the thousand Peloponnesians whom he himself brought; of barbarians, a thousand Chaonians, who, having no king, were led by Photius and Nicanor of the ruling clan who had the annual presidency. With the Chaonian contingent were also some Thesprotians, who likewise have no king.

[6] A force of Molossians and Atintanians were led by Sabylinthus, the guardian of king Tharyps, who was still a boy, and of Paravaeans by their king, Oroedus. With the Paravaeans were a thousand Orestians whose king, Antiochus, had entrusted them to Oroedus.

[7] And Perdiccas also sent, without the knowledge of the Athenians, a thousand Macedonians, who arrived too late.

[8] With this army Cnemus set out, not waiting for the fleet from Corinth; and as they passed through the territory of Argos ⁴ they sacked Limnaea, an unwalled village. Finally they arrived at Stratus, the largest city of Acarnania, thinking that if they could take this first, the other places would readily come over to them.

[1] Tile same summer, not long after these events, the Ambraciots and Chaonians wishing to subdue the whole of Acarnania, and to separate it from its connexion with Athens, persuaded the Lacedaemonians to equip a fleet from their confederacy, and to send one thousand heavy-armed to Acarnania; saying that if they were to join them with both a naval and land force, while the Acarnanians on the coast were unable to succour [their countrymen], after gaining possession of Acarnania, they would easily make themselves masters of Zacynthus and Cephallenia; and so the Athenians would no longer find the circumnavigation of the Peloponnese what it had hitherto been. They suggested too that there was a hope of taking Naupactus also.

[2] Being thus persuaded, the Lacedaemonians despatched immediately Cnemus, who was still high-admiral, and the heavy-armed on board a few vessels; while they sent round orders for the fleet to prepare as quickly as possible, and sail to Leucas.

[3] Now the Corinthians were most hearty in the cause of the Ambraciots, who were a colony of theirs; and the squadrons from Corinth and Sicyon, and those parts were in preparation; while those from Leucas, Anactorium, and Ambracia had arrived before, and were waiting for them at Leucas.

[4] In the mean time Cnemus and the one thousand heavy-armed with him had effected a passage unobserved by Phormio, who commanded the twenty Athenian ships that kept guard off Naupactus; and they immediately prepared for the expedition by land. There were with him, of the Greeks, the Ambraciots, Leucadians, Anactorians, and his own force of one thousand Peloponnesians;

[5] of the barbarians, one thousand Chaonians, who were not under kingly government, but who were led by Photys and Nicanor, of the family to which the chieftainship was confined, with a yearly exercise of that power. With the Chaonians some Thesprotians also joined the expedition, being [like them] not under kingly government.

[6] Some Molossians and Atintanians were led by Sabylinthus, as guardian of Tharypus, their king, who was yet a minor; and some Paravaeans by Oroedus their king. One thousand of the Orestians, of whom Antiochus was king, accompanied the Paravaeans, Oroedus being intrusted with the command of them by that monarch.

[7] Perdiccas also, without the knowledge of the Athenians, sent one thousand Macedonians, who arrived too late.

[8] With this force Cnemus commenced his march, without waiting the arrival of the fleet from Corinth: and in their passage through the Argive country they sacked Limnaea, an unfortified village; and then went against Stratus, the capital city of Acarnania, thinking that if they took that first, the other towns would readily surrender to them.

[1] Eadem aestate non multo post haec Ampraciotae et Chaones cupientes totam Acarnaniam subigere et ab Atheniensibus alienare Lacedaemoniis persuaserunt, ut classem ex sociis civitatibus pararent, et mille gravis armaturae milites in Acarnaniam mitterent; dicebant enim, illos, si cum navibus simul et peditatu secum venirent, quod Acarnanes, qui maritimam oram incolebant, copiis coactis opem suis ferre non possent, Acarnania facile potitos, Zacynthum etiam et Cephalleniam in suam potestatem redacturos , ut non amplius ita libera Atheniensibus circum Peloponnesum navigatio esset; quinetiam Naupacti capiendae spem esse.

[2] Lacedaemonii voro illorum verbis adducti Cnemum, qui classis praetor adhuc erat, et gravis armaturae milites cum paucis navibus e vestigio mittunt, nuntiis autem circummissis imperarunt sociis, ut classem' expedirent et primo quoque tempore Leucadem venirent.

[3] Corinthii autem potissimum Ampraciolis colonis suis studiose favebant; et Corinthiorum quidem classis et Sicyoniorum et oppidorum in illa regione sitorum instruebatur, Leucadiorum autem et Anactoriorum et Ampraciotaruni jam ante eo profecta ad Leucada mansit.

[4] Cneraus vero et mille gravis armaturae milites, quos secum ducebat, postquam mare trajecerunt clam Phormione, qui viginli navibus Atticis praeerat, quae circa Naupactum in praesidio erant, se confestim ad expeditionem itinere terrestri faciendam parare coeperunt.

[5] Lique praesto erant ex Graecis quidem Ampraciotae et Leucadii et Anactorii et mille Peloponnesii, quos ipse secum adduxerat, ex barbaris vero mille Cliaones, qui regio dominatu non regebantur, quibus praeerant annuum magistratum gerentes e principali familia Pltolyus et Nicanor; cum Chaonibus vero militabant et Thesproti, qui et ipsi dominatu regio non gubernabantur.

[6] Molossos vero ducebat et Atinlanas Saby-linthus, Tharypis regis adhuc pupilli tutelam gerens, et Parauaeos Oroedus rex. Mille etiam Orestae, permissu Antiochi, qui rex ipsorum erat, cum Parauaeis et Oroedo ad eandem militiam proficiscebantur.

[7] Miserat etiam Perdiccas clam Atheniensibus mille Macedonas, qui postea supervenerunt.

[8] Cum hoc exercitu Cnemus proficiscebatur non exspectata Corinthiorum classe; et per agrum Argivum iter facientes, Limnaeam pagum nullis cinctum muris diripuerunt. £t ad Stratum pervenerunt, maximam Acarnaniae urbem, existimantes, si hanc primam cepissent, cetera etiam haud aegre in suam potestatem ventura.

[1] So biete ich denn, obschon ich, wie anfangs gesagt, den mächtigsten Staat vertrete, der eher zum Angriff als zur Abwehr berufen erscheint, in Erwägung der Folgen die Hand zum Nachgeben. Warum auch in thörichter Rachsucht sich selber den grössten Schaden zufügen oder in der Verblendung der Leidenschaft hinsichtlich des Schicksals, dem man nicht gebieten kann, sich ebenso als eigenen Herren dünken, wie in seinen eigenen Entschliessungen, und nicht lieber der Billigkeit sich fügen? Folget nun auch ihr meinem Beispiel, eh' ihr euch dazu vor dem Feinde, nicht mehr vor Landsleuten bequemen müsst. Denn das ist keine Schande, dem eigenen Volksgenossen sich zu fügen, nicht blos der Dorier dem Dorier, oder der Chalcidenser seinem Stammverwandten, sondern wir alle als Nachbarn, als Bewohner der einen, von der Natur umgrenzten Heimat, als Träger des gemeinsamen Namens Sikelioten. Unsere Kriege, wenn es sein soll, müssen wir fortan für uns allein führen, oder auch sie beilegen, wie es uns gemeinsam recht dünkt, wider den Fremdling aber, wenn er kommt, in vernünftiger Eintracht zusammenhalten, so gewiss die Niederlage der Einzelnen dem Ganzen Gefahr bringt; Bundesgenossen aber oder Schiedsrichter sollen nie mehr ins Land gerufen werden. Bei diesem Verfahren werden wir für jetzt Sicilien der frohen Aussicht nicht berauben, der Athener und des Bürgerkrieges mit einemmale los zu werden, und in Zukunft in unabhängiger Freiheit und vom Ausland weniger behelligt darin wohnen.

Non molto dopo, nella medesima estate , gli Amhracioti ed i Caoni desiderosi di soggiogare tutta l’Acarnania e staccarla dagli Ateniesi, confortano i Lacedemoni ad allestire una flotta raccolta da’ paesi alleati, e a spedire mille soldati di grave armatura neU’Acamania. Per questo modo , dicevano, concorrendo con loro ad assaltarla per mare e per terra ad un tempo stesso , e non potendo gli Acarnani di sulle coste unirsi a soccorso degli altri, vincerebbero facilmente l’Acamnnia, e s' impadronirebbero anche di Zacinto e di Cefallene : cosi gli Ateniesi non potrebbero con tanta sicurezza correr colle navi attorno- al Peloponneso, e di più vi sarebbe speranza di prendere? Naupatto. Udirono le loro richieste i Lacedemoni, e tosto su poche navi spediscono la soldatesca grave con Cnemo che era tuttora ammiraglio. Mandavano altresì avviso in ¿nro a tutti gli alleati di trovarsi al più presto possibile a Leucqde con quelle navi che avessero in ordine. I Corintli sovra tutti erano in quest’impresa solleciti per gli Ambracioti, perché loro coloni. La ilotta di Corinto, di Sidone e degli altri luoghi di quei dintorni si andava allestendo, intanto che quella di Lcucadc, di Anattorio e di Ambraeia gli aspettava a Lcucadc, ove ella era di prima arrivata. Ma Cnemo co’ suoi mille di grave armatura traversato il mare, senza ne avesse seniore Formionc che comandava le venti navi attiche di presidio sulle coste di Naupatto, ordinava immediatamente una spedizione per terra. Erano sotto i suoi ordini (oltre mille Peloponnesi co’quali era venuto) gli Ambracioti, i Leucadii, gli Anattorii tra i Greci : tra i barbari, mille Caoni gente senza re , guidati con annual comando da Fozio e Nicànore discendenti dal lignaggio sortito a quella carica ; e con essi marciavano anro i Tesproti, gente pur senza re. Sabilinto , tutore del re Taripo ancor giovinetto, conduceva i Molossi e gli Aostani; Oredo i Paravei dei quali era re, e con essi si unirono mille Orestii guidati dallo stesso Oredo per consci' timento d’Antioco re loro; e Perdicca, senza la saputa degli Ateniesi, vi spedì mille Macedoni che arrivaron più tardi. Con questo esercito, non aspettata la flotta da Corinto , erasi Cnemo messo in cammino ; e marciando per il territorio argivo, e saccheggiato il borgo di Limnea sprovveduto di mura, giungono a Strato città la più considerabile dell'Acarnania ; persuasi che prendendo questa la prima , anche gli altri luoghi si sarebbero facilmente resi.