Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 1.95

[1] But Pausanias, being now grown insolent, both the rest of the Grecians and especially the Ionians who had newly recovered their liberty from the king, offended with him, came to the Athenians and requested them for consanguinity's sake to become their leaders and to protect them from the violence of Pausanias.

[2] The Athenians, accepting the motion, applied themselves both to the defence of these and also to the ordering of the rest of the affairs there in such sort as it should seem best to themselves.

[3] In the meantime the Lacedaemonians sent for Pausanias home to examine him of such things as they had heard against him. For great crimes had been laid to his charge by the Grecians that came from thence;

[4] and his government was rather an imitation of tyranny than a command in war. And it was his hap to be called home at the same time that the confederates, all but the soldiers of Peloponnesus, out of hatred to him had turned to the Athenians.

[5] When he came to Lacedaemon, though he were censured for some wrongs done to private men, yet of the greatest matters he was acquit, especially of Medising, the which seemed to be the most evident of all.

[6] Him therefore they sent general no more, but Dorcis, and some others with him, with no great army, whose command the confederates refused;

[7] and they, finding that, went their ways likewise. And after that the Lacedaemonians sent no more, because they feared lest such as went out would prove the worse for the state, as they had seen by Pausanias, and also because they desired to be rid of the Persian war, conceiving the Athenians to be sufficient leaders and at that time their friends.

[1] But the violence of Pausanias had already begun to be disagreeable to the Hellenes, particularly to the Ionians and the newly liberated populations. These resorted to the Athenians and requested them as their kinsmen to become their leaders, and to stop any attempt at violence on the part of Pausanias.

[2] The Athenians accepted their overtures, and determined to put down any attempt of the kind and to settle everything else as their interests might seem to demand.

[3] In the meantime the Lacedaemonians recalled Pausanias for an investigation of the reports which had reached them. Manifold and grave accusations had been brought against him by Hellenes arriving in Sparta ; and, to all appearance, there had been in him more of the mimicry of a despot than of the attitude of a general.

[4] As it happened, his recall came just at the time when the hatred which he had inspired had induced the allies to desert him, the soldiers from Peloponnese excepted, and to range themselves by the side of the Athenians.

[5] On his arrival at Lacedaemon , he was censured for his private acts of oppression, but was acquitted on the heaviest counts and pronounced not guilty; it must be known that the charge of Medism formed one of the principal, and to all appearance one of the best-founded articles against him.

[6] The Lacedaemonians did not, however, restore him to his command, but sent out Dorkis and certain others with a small force; who found the allies no longer inclined to concede to them the supremacy.

[7] Perceiving this they departed, and the Lacedaemonians did not send out any to succeed them. They feared for those who went out a deterioration similar to that observable in Pausanias; besides, they desired to be rid of the Median war, and were satisfied of the competency of the Athenians for the position, and of their friendship at the time towards themselves.

Schon längst aber waren die Griechen über sein herrisches
Wesen empört und niemand mehr als die Jonier und alle,
die eben erst von der Herrschaft des Königs befreit worden
waren. Sie wandten sich deshalb an die Athener und baten
sie, als ihre alten Landsleute, den Oberbefehl über sie zu über­
nehmen und die Übergriffe des Pausanias nicht länger zu
dulden. Die Athener ließen sich das nicht zweimal sagen und
nahmen gern die Gelegenheit wahr, auf diese Weise das Heft
überhaupt in die Hand zu bekommen. Inzwischen wurde Pau­
sanias von den Lakedämoniern abberufen und mit Rücksicht
auf die Dinge, die ihnen zu Ohren gekommen waren, in Unter­
suchung gezogen. Mehrfach nämlich hatten sich Griechen, die
nach Sparta gekommen, über den Mißbrauch seiner Gewalt
beklagt, und er war darnach offenbar eher wie ein Tyrann
als wie ein Feldherr aufgetreten. Die Abberufung erfolgte
grade in dem Augenblick, wo die Bundesgenossen, mit Aus­
nahme der Mannschaften aus dem Peloponnes, aus Erbitterung
über ihn zu den Athenern übergingen. In Lakedämon an­
gekommen, wurde er auch wegen verschiedener Vergehen, die
er sich gegen diesen und jenen hatte zuschulden kommen lassen,
verurteilt, in der Hauptsache dagegen freigesprochen. Der
Hautvorwurf aber, den man ihm machte, war der, daß er mit
den Persern durchgesteckt habe, und nach der allgemeinen
Meinung unterlag das auch keinem Zweifel. Auch schickte
man ihn als Oberbefehlshaber dann auch nicht wieder hinaus,
sondern statt seiner Dorkis und ein paar andere mit nur wenig
Mannschaft, welche die Bundesgenossen sich jedoch als Ober­
befehlshaber nicht mehr gefallen lassen wollten und die dann
auch, als sie das merkten, wieder abzogen. Nachher schickten
die Lakedämonier niemand mehr hinaus aus Furcht, ihre Leute
könnten draußen auf schlechte Wege kommen, wie sie das ja
an Pausanias erlebt hatten. Überhaupt beteiligten sie sich
von nun an nicht weiter am Kriege gegen die Perser, weil
sie annahmen, daß die Athener damit schon fertig werden
würden und einstweilen mit ihnen noch auf gutem Fuße
ständen.

XCV. Mais déjà la dureté de Pausanias commençait à peser aux Grecs ¹ particulièrement aux Ioniens et à tous ceux qui s’étaient récemment soustraits à la domination du roi ² . Ils allèrent trouver les Athéniens, et les prièrent, au nom de leur commune origine ³ , de se mettre à leur tête, et de les protéger au besoin contre les violences de Pausanias. Les Athéniens accueillirent cette demande et leur témoignèrent les meilleures dispositions, s’engageant à leur donner l’appui qu’ils réclamaient, et à prendre sur tout le reste les mesures qu'ils jugeraient les meilleures. Sur ces entrefaites les Lacédémoniens rappelèrent Pausanias pour le juger sur les faits venus à leur connaissance ⁴ . Les Grecs qui venaient à Lacédemone se plaignaient vivement de ses injustices ; dans son commandement il agissait plutôt en tyran qu’en général. Il fut donc rappelé au moment même où, en haine de lui, tous les alliés, à l’exception des soldats du Péloponnèse, se rangeaient sous les ordres des Athéniens ⁵ . Arrivé à Lacédémone, il fut condamné pour violences envers des particuliers, mais absous sur les faits capitaux. Et pourtant on l’accusait surtout de médisme ⁶ et le reproche paraissait fondé. Le com- mandement ne lui fut pas rendu ; on envoya à sa place Dorcis et quelques collègues, à la tête d’une armée peu nombreuse. Mais les alliés refusèrent de se placer sous leurs ordres ; ils se retirèrent alors et ne furent pas remplacés. Les Lacédémoniens craignaient qu’au dehors leurs généraux ne se corrompissent, comme il était arrivé pour Pausanias ⁷ . D’ailleurs, ils voulaient se débarrasser de la guerre médique ; ils croyaient les Athéniens en état de la conduire et étaient à cette époque en bons rapports avec eux.

Mais le caractère altier de Pausanias ne tarda pas à indisposer les Grecs, surtout les Ioniens et tous ceux qui s’étaient récemment soustraits à la domination du roi. Ils s’adressèrent donc aux Athéniens et les prièrent, en vertu de leur commune origine, de se placer à leur tête et de les protéger au besoin contre les violences de Pausanias. Les Athéniens accueillirent cette demande et s’occupèrent de prendre les mesures les plus convenables pour être en état d’y satisfaire.

Sur ces entrefaites, les Lacédémoniens rappelèrent Pausanias pour lui faire son procès à l’occasion des faits dont ils avaient été informés. Les Grecs qui arrivaient à Lacédémone étaient unanimes à l’accuser, et son généralat ressemblait fort à la tyrannie . Il fut précisément rappelé au moment où les alliés, sauf les troupes du Péloponèse, passaient sous les ordres des Athéniens. De retour à Lacédémone, il fut condamné sur quelques chefs particuliers, mais absous des accusations les plus graves; on l’accusait surtout de médisme ¹ , et le reproche paraissait fondé. On lui retira donc le commandement ; on fit partir à sa place, avec peu de monde, Dorcis et d’autres, dont les alliés déclinèrent l’autorité. Ces chefs aussitôt se retirèrent; dès lors les Lacédémoniens n’en envoyèrent plus. L’exemple de Pausanias leur faisait craindre qu’ils ne se pervertissent en sortant du pays ; d’ailleurs ils étaient las de la guerre Médique; ils se reposaient sur les Athéniens du soin de la conduire, car en ce moment les deux peuples étaient amis.

[1] But, since he had already become headstrong, ¹ the rest of the Hellenes became disaffected, especially the Ionians and all who had been recently emancipated from the King. So they waited upon the Athenians and begged them in the name of their kinship ² to become their leaders, and to resist Pausanias if he should attempt to coerce them. ³

[2] The Athenians accepted their proposals and gave full attention to the matter with the determination to endure Pausanias' conduct no longer and to settle all other matters as should seem best to themselves.

[3] Meanwhile the Lacedaemonians recalled Pausanias in order to interrogate him about reports they were hearing, for much wrongdoing was charged against him by the Hellenes who came to Sparta, and his behaviour seemed an aping of despotic power rather than the conduct of a general.

[4] And it so happened that he was cited before the court at the very time that the allies in vexation at him had gone over to the side of the Athenians, all except the soldiers from the Peloponnesus.

[5] And although, on his return to Lacedaemon, Pausanias was held to account for any personal wrongs he had committed against individuals, yet on the principal charges he was acquitted of misconduct; for he was accused most of all of treasonable relations with the Persians, and it seemed to be a very clear case.

[6] And they did not again send him out as commander, but Dorcis, together with some others, with an inconsiderable force; but the allies did not entrust these with the chief command.

[7] And they, being now aware of the situation, went back home; and the Lacedaemonians sent out no other commanders thereafter, fearing that any who went out might be corrupted, as they saw had happened in the case of Pausanias; they also wanted to be rid of the Persian war, and thought that the Athenians were competent to take the leadership and were friendly to themselves at the time.

[1] But when he was now acting with violence, the rest of the Greeks were offended, and especially the Ionians, and such as had lately been liberated from the king; and going to the Athenians, they begged them to become their leaders, on the ground of their relationship; and not to overlook it in Pausanias, if in any case he should treat them with violence.

[2] The Athenians received their proposals, and attended to them with a determination not to overlook it, and to settle all other matters as might seem best to them.

[3] At this time the Lacedaemonians sent for Pausanias, to bring him to account for what they had heard of him; for ¹ many charges were brought against him by the Greeks who came to them; and it appeared to be an imitation of a tyranny, rather than the command of a general.

[4] It happened that he was summoned at the very time the allies, through their hatred of him, went over and ranged themselves with the Athenians, except the soldiers from the Peloponnese.

[5] So when he came to Lacedaemon, he was censured for the wrongs he had done to any one individually; but was acquitted, as not guilty, on the heaviest charges. (He was especially accused of medizing, and it appeared to be most clearly established.)

[6] Him they sent out no more as commander, but Dorcis and some others with him, with no great number of troops; but the allies would no longer give up the command to them.

[7] On finding this, they returned; and the Lacedaemonians sent out no others after them; fearing that they might find those who went abroad becoming corrupted, just as they saw in the case of Pausanias; and also because they wished to be rid of the Median war, and considered the Athenians competent to take the lead, and well disposed towards themselves at that time.

[1] Quum autem hic insolentias jam imperaret, quum alii Graeci rem iniquo animo ferebant, tum vero praecipue Iones, et quotquot regio dominatu recens erant liberali. Quamobrem ad Athenienses commeantes volebant, ut hi duces sibi existerent pro necessitudiue, quae iis cum ipsis intercedebat, neve Pausaniie concederent, si quam vfan in ferre vellet.

[2] Atheniensibus vero haec verba accepta fuerunt atque animis in istam curam incumbebant, ul eos non neglecturi, et celera constituturi, quemadmodum sibi e re maxime futurum videretur.

[3] Interea vero Lacedaemouii Pausaniam accersebant, quaestionem habituri de rebus, quas audiebant. Eteuim multa ejus injusta facinora deferebantur a Graecis, qui Lacedaemona veniebant; et videbatur ea magis tyrannidis quaedam imitatio quam praetura.

[4] Forte autem accidit, ut eodem temporis articulo et ille arcesseretur domum, et socii ejus odio ad Athenienses transirent, praeter milites ex Peloponneso profectos.

[5] Lacedaemona autem profectus, privatarum quidem in aliquos injuriarum damnatus est; maximarum vero est absolutus, et innocens habitus. Praecipue vero accusabatur, quod cum Medis sensisset et videbatur hoc esse manifestissimam.

[6] Atque illum quidem non amplius praetorem emiserunt, sed Dorcin, et cum eo nonnullos alios, non magnum exercitum habentes; quibus socii imperium non amplius permittebant.

[7] Illi vero hac re cognita dicessenint, nec ullos alios Lacedaemonii postea emiserunt, veriti, ne illi, qui peregre proficiscerentur, deteriores sibi fierent, id quod in Pausania animadverterant; simul etiam cupientes bello Medico liberari et rati Athenienses satis idoneos duces esse, et in iliis rebus sibi non adversos.

[1] Diesen Grundsätzen, die wir von unsern Vätern überkommen und selber stets bewährt erfunden haben, lasst uns nicht ungetreu werden und nicht binnen weniger Stunden über so viel Menschenleben und Eigenthum, über Staatenglück und Ehre einen übereilten Beschluss fassen, sondern uns Zeit nehmen. Wir haben den Vortheil der Macht, um nichts zu versäumen. Nach Athen also sendet wegen Potidäas und wegen der Beschwerden der Bundesgenossen, besonders da sie eine gerichtliche Entscheidung nicht ablehnen. Wer diese anbietet, den hat man kein Recht als bereits Verurtheilten anzugreifen. Aber zugleich rüstet euch auch zum Kriege. Dies ist das Beste, was ihr beschliessen könnt, und wird bei dem Feind am meisten Eindruck machen.

Ma già Pausania usava nel comando modi insolenti , onde erano disgustati gli altri Greci, e principalmente gli Ionii e quanti eransi di poco sottratti al servaggio del re. Questi prontavano presso gli Ateniesi , e pel titolo di parentela gli pregavano volessero essere loro duci , e non permettessero a Pausania le sue soperchierie. Gli Ateniesi prestarono orecchio alle loro parole, e presero a considerarle con intendimento di non lasciar correre, e di ordinare le altre cose nella maniera la più utile per loro. In questo i Lacedemoni richiamano Pausania per fare il processo dei rapporti che avevano di lui : avvegnaché da' Greci che arrivavano a Sparta gli fossero imputate grandi ingiustizie, per le quali compariva più tiranno che generale. Nel tempo istesso del suo richiamo accadde che anche gli alleati, salvo le milizie del Peloponneso , per l’odio concepito contro di lui passarono a parte Ateniese. Giunto egli a S parta fu dichiarato reo di private avanie contro alcuno, ma restò assoluto come innocente delle imputazioni più criminose ; perocché veniva principalmente accusato di seguir la parte del Medo, e la cosa pareva manifestissima. Il perchè non fu più spedito generale , ma inviarono Dorci ed alcuni altri con piccol numero di soldatesca, ai quali gli alleati non vollero rimettere il comando. Come essi il riseppero tornarono indietro , e i Lacedemoni non spedironvi più alcuno , si perchè temevano che andati colà non si guastassero, come era addivenuto di Pausania , si perchè bramavano disbrigarsi della guerra col Medo , e reputavano gli Ateniesi capitani sufficienti, e in quel tempo loro amici.