[1] When the news was told at Athens, they believed not a long time, though it were plainly related and by those very soldiers that escaped from the defeat itself that all was so utterly lost as it was. When they knew it, they were mightily offended with the orators that furthered the voyage, as if they themselves had never decreed it. They were angry also with those that gave out prophecies and with the soothsayers and with whosoever else had at first by any divination put them into hope that Sicily should be subdued.

[2] Every thing, from every place, grieved them; and fear and astonishment, the greatest that ever they were in, beset them round. For they were not only grieved for the loss which both every man in particular and the whole city sustained of so many men of arms, horsemen, and serviceable men, the like whereof they saw was not left, but seeing they had neither galleys in their haven nor money in their treasury nor furniture in their galleys, were even desperate at that present of their safety; and thought the enemy out of Sicily would come forthwith with their fleet into Peiraeus, especially after the vanquishing of so great a navy, and that the enemy here would surely now, with double preparation in every kind, press them to the utmost both by sea and land and be aided therein by their revolting confederates.

[3] Nevertheless, as far as their means would stretch, it was thought best to stand it out and, getting materials and money where they could have it, to make ready a navy and to make sure of their confederates, especially those of Euboea; and to introduce a greater frugality in the city, and to erect a magistracy of the elder sort, as occasion should be offered to preconsult of the business that passed.

[4] And they were ready, in respect of their present fear (as is the people's fashion), to order every thing aright. And as they resolved this, so they did it. And the summer ended.

[1] Such were the events in Sicily . When the news was brought to Athens , for a long while they disbelieved even the most respectable of the soldiers who had themselves escaped from the scene of action and clearly reported the matter, a destruction so complete not being thought credible. When the conviction was forced upon them, they were angry with the orators who had joined in promoting the expedition, just as if they had not themselves voted it, and were enraged also with the reciters of oracles and soothsayers, and all other omenmongers of the time who had encouraged them to hope that they should conquer Sicily .

[2] Already distressed at all points and in all quarters, after what had now happened, they were seized by a fear and consternation quite without example. It was grievous enough for the state and for every man in his proper person to lose so many heavy infantry, cavalry, and able-bodied troops, and to see none left to replace them; but when they saw, also, that they had not sufficient ships in their docks, or money in the treasury, or crews for the ships, they began to despair of salvation. They thought that their enemies in Sicily would immediately sail with their fleet against Piraeus , inflamed by so signal a victory; while their adversaries at home, redoubling all their preparations, would vigorously attack them by sea and land at once, aided by their own revolted confederates.

[3] Nevertheless, with such means as they had, it was determined to resist to the last, and to provide timber and money, and to equip a fleet as they best could, to take steps to secure their confederates and above all Euboea , to reform things in the city upon a more economical footing, and to elect a board of elders to advise upon the state of affairs as occasion should arise.

[4] In short, as is the way of a democracy, in the panic of the moment they were ready to be as prudent as possible.
  These resolves were at once carried into effect.

Als diese Nachrichten nach Athen gekommen waren, wollte qiz
man lange nicht glauben, daß Alles so durchaus verloren sei, nicht ^hr.
einmal den angesehensten Kriegsleuten, die aus dem Kampf selber
entronnen waren und zuverlässige Meldung thaten. Als sie aber
endlich die Wahrheit erkannten, geriethen sie in Zorn gegen die
Redner, die zu dem Seezug mitgerathen hatten, als ob sie nicht selber
dafür gestimmt hätten, und auch auf die Zeichendeuter und
Wahrsager-zürnten sie und auf Alle, welche damals durch Götterzeichen'
die Hoffnung in ihnen angeregt hatten, daß sie Sicilien nehmen
würden. In. jeder Beziehung und von allen Seiten bedrängte sie
Bekümmerniß, und Furcht und höchste Bestürzung überkam sie wegen
des Geschehenen. Denn sowohl jeder Einzelne für sich hatte Verlust
erfahren, und auch der Staat sah sich so vieler Schwerbewaffneter und
Reiter und junger Mannschaft beraubt, für die kein neuer
Ersatz-vorhanden war. Dann sahen sie auch auf den Werften keine Schiffe in
genügender Zahl, noch Geld im Staatsschatz, oder
Rudermann-schaft für die Schiffe, und so verzweifelten sie unter solchen
Umständen an ihrer, Rettung und glaubten, die Feinde würden mit der
Flotte von Sicilien aus grade auf den Piräeus lossegeln, da sie
einen so gewaltigen Sieg erfochten hätten. Und ihre Feinde in
Griechenland selbst, die damals in aller Hinsicht doppelt stark gerüstet
waren, würden jetzt mit aller Macht zu Land und zu Wasser über sie
herfallen, und mit ihnen ihre eigenen Bundesgenossen. Gleichwohl
glaubten sie, so weit die vorhandenen Mittel erlaubten, nicht
nachgeben zu dürfen, und beschlossen eine Flotte zu rüsten und Holz und ^{1 2 3}
Geld dazu von wo immer aufzutreiben, und sich ihrer Bundesgenossen
zu versichern, vor allen Dingen aber Euböa's. Zn ihrem städtischen
Wesen wollten sie der Ersparungen halber sich einschränken und eine
Behörde von älteren Männern wählen, welche über die Vorkommnisse
nach Zeit und Umständen vorberathen sollten. In allen Dingen
waren sie der augenblicklichen Furcht halber bereit, die schönste
Ordnung einzuführen, wie es eben das Volk zu thun Pflegt. Und wie
sie beschlossen hatten, so thaten sie auch, und damit ging der Sommer
zu Ende.

Als die Nachricht nach Athen kam, wollte man dort auch
den angesehensten Kriegern, die selbst nur mit genauer
Not davongekommen waren und zuverlässige Nachrichten vom
Kriegsshcauplätze mitbrachten, lange nicht glauben, daß die
ganze Unternehmung so völlig gescheitert sei. Nachdem man
sich endlich doch davon überzeugt, richtete sich die Erbitterung
gegen die Redner, die dazu geraten, als ob man nicht selbst
auch dafür gestimmt hätte, aber auch gegen die Zeichendeuter,
Wahrsager und alle, welche damals durch Prophezeiungen die
Hoffnung erregt hatten, daß man Sizilien erobern würde. All
und jedes trug dazu bei, den Athenern das Herz schwer zu
machen, und das eingetretene Mißgeschick versetzte sie aufs
äußerste in Schrecken und Bestürzung. Denn nicht nur emp­
fanden sie die Verluste der einzelnen und den so unersetzlichen
Verlust, den die Stadt an Fußvolk, Reiterei und junger Mann­
schaft erlitten, mit tiefstem Schmerz, sondern sie sahen auch,
daß sie aus den Werften nicht Schiffe genug, im Staatsschatze
kein Geld und für die Flotte keine Seeleute mehr hatten, und
gaben alle Hoffnung auf, sich unter diesen Umständen noch weiter
behaupten zu können. Außerdem fürchteten sie, die Feinde in
Sizilien würden nach einem solchen Siege mit ihrer Flotte
sogleich vor dem Peiraieus erscheinen, ihre hiesigen, nunmehr
ja doppelt so starken Feinde aber ihnen die Bundesgenossen
abtrünnig machen und mit diesen zu Lande und zur See über
sie hersallen. Gleichwohl beschlossen sie, soweit es ihre Mittel
gestatteten, nicht nachzugeben, womöglich eine neue Flotte aus­
zurüsten und dazu Holz und Geld zusammenzubringen, auch
sich der Bundesgenossen und namentlich Enboias zu versichern.
In der Stadt aber sollte auf die größte Sparsamkeit Bedacht
genommen und eine Behörde von älteren Männern eingesetzt
werden, um die jeweilig zu ergreifenden Maßregeln vorher zu
begutachten. Wie immer im ersten Schrecken, so war das
ganze Volk auch jetzt willig und bereit, seine Pflicht zu tun.
Und wie sie beschlossen, so gingen sie dann auch ans Werk.
Damit endete der Sommer.

Quand ces nouvelles furent arrivées à Athènes, on refusa longtemps de croire à un désastre si complet, malgré les assertions formelles des témoins les plus dignes de foi, échappés du milieu même de la déroute. Il fallut bien cependant se rendre à l’évidence. Alors le peuple se déchaîna, d’une part contre les orateurs qui avaient poussé à l’expédition , comme si lui-même ne l’eût pas votée ; de l’autre contre les colporteurs d’oracles, les devins et tous ceux qui, dans le temps, avaient par leurs prédictions éveillé l’espoir de conquérir la Sicile. On n’avait sous les yeux que des sujets de tristesse, d’effroi, de consternation. Les citoyens, chacun en particulier, avaient fait des pertes cruelles. La ville avait à regretter cette foule d'hoplites, cette cavalerie , cette jeunesse , qu’il était devenu impossible de remplacer. L’aspect des chantiers dégarnis, Yé-puisement du trésor, le manque d'équipage pour la flotte, tout se réunissait pour faire désespérer du salut. Au premier jour on s’attendait à voir les ennemis de Sicile cingler contre le Pirée après la victoire éclatante qu’ils venaient de remporter; ceux de Grèce, dont les forces étaient doublées, venir fondre sur Athènes par terre et par mer ; enfin les alliés soulevés leur donner la main. Néanmoins il fut décidé qu'on résisterait avec les ressources disponibles ; qu'on équiperait tant bien que mal une flotte, en rassemblant des bois et de l’argent ; qu’on surveillerait les alliés et particulièrement l’Eubée ; qu’on introduirait dans l’administration la plus sévère économie ; enfin qu’on élirait un conseil de vieillards pour donner leur avis préalable sur toutes les mesures à prendre ¹ . Dans ce premier moment de terreur le peuple, selon sa coutume, était disposé à tout régulariser. Ces résolutions arrêtées forent mises à exécution sur-le-champ. L’été finit.

[1] When the news reached Athens, even though the actual soldiers who had escaped from the action itself gave a clear report, they for long refused to believe that the armament could have been so utterly destroyed. When, however, they were convinced, they were angry with the orators who had taken part in promoting the expedition—as though they had not voted for it themselves—and they were also enraged at the oracle-mongers and soothsayers and whoever at that time by any practice of divination had led them to hope that they would conquer Sicily.

[2] Everything indeed on every side distressed them, and after what had happened they were beset with fear and utmost consternation. For having lost, both each man separately and as a state, many hoplites and horsemen and the flower of the youth, while they saw none like it left them, they were heavy of heart; and again, seeing no ships in the docks in sufficient number nor money in the treasury nor crews for the ships, they were at the moment hopeless of safety. They thought that their enemies in Sicily would sail with their fleet straight for the Peiraeus, especially as they had won so great a victory, and that their foes at home, now doubly prepared in all respects, would attack them at once with all their might both by land and by sea, and that their own allies would revolt and join them.

[3] Nevertheless it was their opinion that, as far as their present circumstances permitted, they should not give up, but should both make ready a fleet, providing timber and money from whatever source they could, and put their relations with their allies, and especially with Euboea, on a safe footing; moreover, that they should reduce the expenses of the city to an economical basis, and should select a board of elderly men who should prepare measures with reference to the present situation as there might be occasion.

[4] In the panic of the moment they were ready, as is the way with a democracy, to observe discipline in everything. And as they had determined, so they proceeded to act; and the summer ended.

[1] WHEN the news was brought to Athens, for a long time they disbelieved even the most respectable of the soldiers, who had escaped from the very scene of action, and gave them a correct account of it; not crediting that their forces could have been so utterly destroyed. When, however, they were convinced of it, they were angry with those of the orators who had joined in promoting the expedition; (as though they had not voted for it themselves;) and were enraged with the soothsayers and reciters of oracles, and whoever at that time by any practice of divination had put them on hoping that they should subdue Sicily.

[2] Every thing, indeed, on every side distressed them; and after what had happened, fear and the greatest consternation overwhelmed them. For they were at once weighed down by the loss which every man individually, as well as the whole state at large, had experienced, by the destruction of so many heavy-armed, and horsemen, and troops in the flower of their youth, like which they saw they had none left; and at the same time being aware that they had no competent number of ships in the docks, nor money in the treasury, nor crews for their vessels, they were at present without hope of saving themselves. They thought, too, that they should have their enemies in Sicily directly sailing with their fleet against the Piraeus, especially after they had gained such a victory; and that their foes at home, then doubly equipped on all points, would surely now press them with all their might, both by land and by sea, and their own allies with them in revolt.

[3] But nevertheless it was determined, that, as far as their present resources allowed, they ought not to submit, but to equip a fleet, by whatever means they could, providing by contribution both timber and money; and to put matters on a secure footing amongst the allies, especially in Euboea: and, moreover, to reform every thing in the city, with a view to greater economy, and elect a council of elders, who should deliberate beforehand on their present measures, as there might be occasion.

[4] And through their excessive fear at the moment they were ready, (as is the people's fashion,) to be orderly in every thing. Having thus determined, they acted accordingly, and so the summer ended.

[1] Athenas autem postquam hic nuntius allatus est diu quidem iidem non habebant ne praecipuis quidem militibus, qui ex ipso certamine evaserant, et rem compertam nuntiabant, certe quidem non sic funditus oinnia eversa credentes; sed postquam cognoverunt, infensi erant oratoribus, qui cum ceteris studiose egerant, ut susciperetur expeditio, quasi eam non ipsi decrevissent, atque irascebantur etiam ariolis et vatibus, et quotquot tunc eos rebus divinis in spem erexerant, fore ut caperent Siciliam.

[2] Omnia autem ab omnibus partibus molesta iis accidebant, et incesserat undique super casum illum pavor animique consternatio maxima. Simul enim orbati et privatim pro se quisque, et publice multo et peditatu et equitatu, et juventutis flore, qualem alterum non videbant superesse, graviter ferebant; simul etiam, quod navium videbant non satis esse in navalibus , nec satis pecuniae in aerario, nec ministeriorum ad nauticos usus, spem nullam habebant in praesentia fore ut salvi essent, et hostes ex Sicilia cum classe confestim in Piraeeum adversus se venturos arbitrabantur, praesertim tanta victoria politos, et simul hostes, qui illic apud se erant, tunc certe cum bellico rerum omnium apparatu duplo majore jam totis viribus terra marique sibi instaturos, et una cmn iis socios suos, ad illos delicientes.

[3] Verumtamen, ut iu praesenti rerum statu facultas dabatur, videbatur oportere non cedere malis, sed et classem parare, materia et pecunia, undecunque possent, comparata, et socios praesidiis iir mare, et praecipue Eubceam, et res urbanas aliquanto sapientius in parsimoniam temperare, et creare aliquem magistratum virorum seniorum, qui de praesenti rerum statu, ut temporis opportunitas ferret, ante populum consultarent.

[4] Denique in omnibus rebus propter prasenli» metus magnitudinem, ut in populari statu lieri solet, parati erant, se modestos et obedientes praebere. Et ut lia# iis visa sunt, sic etiam faciebant; atque liaec aestas liniebatur.

Portate ad Atene le novelle di Sicilia, per lunga pezza «kob si credeva poter essere stato sì generale l’eccidio, quantunque «oldati ragguardevolissimi scampali propio dalla battaglia lo contassero apertamente. Ma poi accertatisi del fatto, erano turbati contro gli oratori che gli avevan confortati a quella spedizione {come se non l’avessero essi medesimi decretata), e si adiravano con gli arioli e gli aruspici , e con tutti quelli che allora eccitandoli mediante qualche sacra ispirazione, aveano lor fatto sperare la conquista di quel paese. Tutto per ogni parte li attristava , e pensando all’accaduto erano circondati da timore e sbigottimento veramente grandissimo. Imperocché trovavansi afflitti i cittadini dalle proprie perdite, e ia Repùbblica orbata di numerosa fanteria e cavalli, e di coiai gioventù alla quale altra simile non rimaneva : ed insieme non vedendo essi navi a sufficienza negli arsenali, nè equipaggio per corredarle, nè denari nell’erario, dispera vano al presente di potersi salvare. Oltre a ciò si aspettavano che ad ora ad ora i nemici di Sicilia, specialmente dopo sì segnalata vittoria, navigherebbero contro il Pireo, e che quei di Grecia raddoppiati allor daddovero tutti g£ apparecchi, tosto li stringerebbero vigorosamente per terra e per mare, d’accordo con gli alleati che ad Atene si ribellerebbero. Ciò nondimeno determinarono, per quanto restava loro di forze, di non doversi dare per vinti, ma di mettere in ordine la flotta raccogliendo legname e denaro dondechè si potesse ; rendersi sicuri degli alleati, e in ispecie dell’ Eubea ; ridurre ad una certa parsimonia le spese del Comune ; e creare un magistrato di personaggi provetti che all’occasione fossero i primi a dar consiglio sull’attuale stato delle cose. Insomma per il presente grave timore (come suol fare il popolo) erano pronti a mantenere in tutto il buon ordine. Mettevano intanto ad effetto le prese risoluzioni e finiva l’estate.