Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 2.101

[1] After this Sitalces gave way to a conference with Perdiccas touching the motives of this war. And forasmuch as the Athenians were not arrived with their fleet (for they thought not that Sitalces would have made the journey, but had sent ambassadors to him with presents), he sent a part of his army against the Chalcideans and Bottiaeans, wherewith, having compelled them within their walled towns, he wasted and destroyed their territory.

[2] Whilst he stayed in these parts, the Thessalians southward, and the Magnetians, and the rest of the nations subject to the Thessalians, and all the Grecians as far as to Thermopylae were afraid he would have turned his forces upon them and stood upon their guard.

[3] And northward, those Thracians that inhabit the champaign country beyond Strymon, namely the Panaeans, Odomantians, Droans, and Dersaeans, all of them free states, were afraid of the same.

[4] He gave occasion also to a rumour that he meant to lead his army against all those Grecians that were enemies to the Athenians, as called in by them to that purpose by virtue of their league.

[5] But whilst he stayed, he wasted the Chalcidean, Bottiaean, and Macedonian territories; and when he could not effect what he came for and his army both wanted victual and was afflicted with the coldness of the season, Seuthes the son of Spardocus, his cousin-german and of greatest authority next himself, persuaded him to make haste away. Now Perdiccas had dealt secretly with Seuthes and promised him his sister in marriage and money with her;

[6] and Sitalces at the persuasion of him after the stay of full thirty days, whereof he spent eight in Chalcidea, retired with his army with all speed into his own kingdom. And Perdiccas shortly after gave to Seuthes his sister Stratonica in marriage, as he had promised. This was the issue of this expedition of Sitalces.

[1] Meanwhile Sitacles opened negotiations with Perdiccas on the objects of his expedition; and finding that the Athenians, not believing that he would come, did not appear with their fleet, though they sent presents and envoys, despatched a large part of his army against the Chalcidians and Bottiaeans, and cutting them up inside their walls laid waste their country.

[2] While he remained in these parts, the people farther south, such as the Thessalians, and the Hellenes as far as Thermopylae , all feared that the army might advance against them, and prepared accordingly.

[3] These fears were shared by the Thracians beyond the Strymon to the north, who inhabited the plains, such as the Panaeans, the Odomanti, the Droi and the Dersaeans, all of whom are independent.

[4] It was even matter of conversation among the Hellenes who were enemies of Athens whether he might not be invited by his ally to advance also against them.

[5] Meanwhile he held Chalcidice and Bottice and Macedonia , and was ravaging them all; but finding that he was not succeeding in any of the objects of his invasion, and that his army was without provisions and was suffering from the severity of the season, he listened to the advice of Seuthes, son of Sparadocus, his nephew and highest officer, and decided to retreat without delay. This Seuthes had been secretly gained by Perdiccas by the promise of his sister in marriage with a rich dowry.

[6] In accordance with this advice, and after a stay of thirty days in all, eight of which were spent in Chalcidice , he retired home as quickly as he could; and Perdiccas afterwards gave his sister Stratonice to Seuthes as he had promised. Such was the history of the expedition of Sitalces.

Inzwischen knüpfte Sitalkes wegen der Beschwerden,
die ihn zu dem Feldzuge veranlaßt hatten, mit Perdikkas Unter-
handlungen an, und da die Athener, die an sein Kommen nicht
glaubten, zwar mit ihren Schiffen nicht erschienen waren, aber
doch Gesandte und Geschenke an ihn geschickt hatten, so ent­
sandte er einen Teil seines Heeres gegen die Chalkidier und
Bottiaier, nötigte sie, sich in ihre Städte zurückzuziehen, und
verheerte ihnen daS platte Land. Während er mit seinem
Heere in jenen Gegenden stand, begannen die Thessaler und
Magneter weiter im Süden sowie die übrigen Untertanen der
Thessaler und die Griechen bis an die Thermopylen zu
fürchten, daß er damit auch ihnen ins Land kommen könne,
und machten sich für alle Fälle bereit. Von gleicher Furcht
befallen wurden aber auch die weiter im Norden, jenseits des
Strymon,in der Ebene sitzenden unabhängigen Thraker, Päonier,
Odomanter, Droer und Dersaier. Ja selbst bis nach Griechen­
land hinein wurde es den Feinden der Athener bedenklich, ob
er sich nicht infolge seines Bündnisses mit den Athenern ver­
anlaßt sehen würde, auch ihnen einen Besuch abzustatten. Er
blieb jedoch mit seinem Heere in Chalkidike, Bottike und Make­
donien und verheerte das Land. Da er aber keinen der Zwecke,
deretwegen er den Feldzug unternommen hatte, erreichte, auch
sein Heer nichts mehr zu leben hatte und unter den Beschwerden
des Winterfeldzuges litt, so ließ er sich von Seuthes, dem
Sohne des Spardakos, seinem Neffen, der nach ihm der mäch­
tigste Mann war, überreden, plötzlich wieder abzuziehen. Seuthes
aber war heimlich von Perdikkas gewonnen, indem er ihm seine
Schwester zur Frau und außerdem eine reiche Mitgift ver­
sprochen hatte. Auf seinen Rat also zog Sitalkes, nachdem
er dort im ganzen dreißig Tage und davon acht auch den
Chalkidiern im Lande gewesen war, mit seinem Heere schleunig
wieder nach Hause. Perdikkas aber gab später seine Schwester
Stratonike dem Seuthes zur Frau, wie er es ihm versprochen
hatte. So verlief der Feldzug des Sitalkes.

CI. Cependant Sitalcès traitait avec Perdiccas, relativement aux griefs qui avaient motivé son expédition. La flotte athénienne ne se montrait pas ; car les Athéniens, doutant qu’il dût arriver, s’étaient contentés de lui envoyer des ambassadeurs et des présents. Il fit donc marcher seulement une partie de son armée contre les Bottiéens et les Chalcidiens, les força à se renfermer dans les places et ravagea le pays. Pendant qu’il y campait, les Thessaliens du sud, les Magnètes et les autres sujets des Thessaliens, même les Grecs jusqu'aux Thermopyles, craignirent que cette armée ne marchât contre eux, et se tinrent prêts. Les mêmes inquiétudes avaient gagné les Thraces du nord, ceux qui occupent les plaines au delà du Strymon, Panéens, Odomantes, Droens et Derséens, tous peuples indépendants. Même dans la Grèce, cette expédition fit craindre aux ennemis d'Athènes que Sitalcès n’eùt été appelé par elle, à titre d’allié, pour les combattre. Pour lui, il ravageait en même temps la Chalcidique, la Bottique et la Macédoine. Cependant cette expédition ne lui avait procuré aucun des avantages qu’il en attendait : son armée manquait de vivres et souffrait des rigueurs de l’hiver ; il se laissa donc persuader, par son neveu Seuthès, fils de Sparadocus, l’homme le plus puissant du royaume après lui, de battre en retraite sans délai. Perdiccas avait secrètement gagné Seuthès, en lui offrant sa soeur avec de riches présents. Sitalcès, à son instigation, ramena en toute hâte son armée chez lui, après une expédition de trente jours en tout, dont huit passés dans la Chalcidique. Perdiccas donna ensuite à Seuthès Stratonice sa soeur, comme il l’avait promis. Telle fut l’expédition de Sitalcès.

Alors Sitalcès entama des pourparlers avec Perdiccas relativement aux motifs de son expédition; et, comme les Athéniens, comptant peu sur sa venue, ne paraissaient pas avec leurs vaisseaux, mais s’étaient contentés de lui envoyer des présents et des ambassadeurs, il détacha une partie de sa troupe contre les Chalcidéens et les Bottiéens, les renferma dans leurs murailles et ravagea leur pays. Pendant qu’il y campait, les peuples situés au midi, tels que les Thessaliens, les Magnètes et leurs autres sujets, enfin tout le reste des Grecs jusqu’aux Thermopyles, craignirent que cette armée ne se dirigeât contre eux et se mirent sur la défensive. L’alarme se répandit pareillement au delà du Strymon, chez ceux des Thraces septentrionaux qui habitent les plaines, c’est-à-dire chez les Panéens, les Odomantes, les Droens et les Derséens, tous peuples indépendants. Même en Grèce, les ennemis d’Athènes appréhendèrent que Sitalcès n’eût été appelé par elle, à titre d’allié, pour les combattre. Quant à lui, il suspendit sa marche pour dévaster simultanément la Chalcidique, la Bottique et la Macédoine. Mais, comme il n’atteignait aucun des buts de son expédition, et que son armée, mal approvisionnée, avait beaucoup à souffrir de l’hiver, il se laissa persuader par son neveu Seuthès fils de Spardacos, l’homme le plus puissant après lui, d’opérer immédiatement sa retraite. Seuthès avait été gagné en secret par Perdiccas, qui lui avait promis de lui donner sa sœur en mariage avec de grandes richesses. Sitalcès crut son neveu ; et, après une canàpagne de trente jours, dont huit passés en Chalcidique, il ramena promptement son armée dans ses foyers. Plus tard, Perdiccas tint parole à Seuthès en lui donnant sa sœur Stratonice. Telle fut l’expédition de Sitalcès.

[1] Sitalces now began to hold parleys with Perdiccas about the matters for which he had undertaken the expedition; and since the Athenians (who did not believe that Sitalces would come, though they sent gifts and envoys to him) had not arrived with their promised fleet, he despatched part of his army into the territory of the Chalcidians and Bottiaeans, and shutting them up within their walls ravaged their lands.

[2] But while he was staying in the neighbourhood of these places, the peoples which dwell to the south—the Thessalians, the Magnesians and other subjects of the Thessalians, and the Hellenes as far south as Thermopylaebecame frightened lest the host should come against them also, and so were making preparations.

[3] The same alarm was felt also by the Thracians who inhabit the plain beyond the Strymon to the north, that is, the Panaeans, Odomantians, Droans, and Dersaeans, independent tribes.

[4] He gave occasion also to a rumour which spread even to the Hellenes hostile to Athens, that the Thracians might be led on by the Athenians in accordance with the terms of their alliance and come against them too.

[5] But meanwhile Sitalces kept on ravaging at one and the same time Chalcidice, Bottice, and Macedonia; and then, since none of the original objects of his invasion was being accomplished, and his army was without food and was suffering from the winter, he was persuaded by Seuthes son of Sparadocus, a nephew and next to him in power, ¹ to go back home at once. Now Seuthes had been secretly won over by Perdiccas, who had promised to give him his sister in marriage and a dowry with her.

[6] So Sitalces yielded, and after a stay of only thirty days in all, eight of which had been spent among the Chalcidians, returned home with his army with all speed. And Perdiccas afterwards gave his sister Stratonice to Seuthes as he had promised. Such, then, is the history of the expedition of Sitalces.

[1] In the mean time, Sitalces conferred with Perdiccas on the objects of his expedition; and since the Athenians had not joined him with their fleet, (not believing that he would come,) but had sent presents and envoys to him, he sent a part of his forces against the Chalcidians and Bottiaeans, and after shutting them up within their walls, laid waste their country.

[2] While he was staying in these parts, the people towards the south, as the Thessalians, the Magnesians, with others who were subject to the Thessalians, and the Greeks as far as Thermopylae, were afraid that the army might advance against them, and were preparing [for such an event].

[3] The northward Thracians, too, beyond the Strymon were alarmed, as many as lived in a champaign country, namely, the Panaei, the Odomanti, the Droi, and the Dersaei; who are all independent.

[4] Nay, it afforded subject of discussion even with the Greeks who were enemies of the Athenians, whether they were not led on by that people on the strength of their alliance, and might not come against them also.

[5] Sitalces then was commanding at once Chalcidice, Bottica, and Macedonia, and was ravaging them all. But when none of the objects for which he made the expedition was being gained by him, and he found his army without provisions and suffering from the severity of the weather, he was persuaded by Seuthes the son of Spardacus, who was his nephew and next in authority to himself, to return with all speed. For Seuthes had been secretly won over by Perdiccas, who promised to give him his sister, and a sum of money with her.

[6] Thus persuaded then, after remaining [in the enemy's country] thirty days in all, and eight of them in Chalcidice, he retired home with his army as quickly as he could: and Perdiccas subsequently gave his sister Stratonice to Seuthes, as he had promised. Such were the events that happened in the expedition of Sitalces.

[1] Sitalces vero et cum Perdicca agere coepit de rebus, quarum causa bellum ipsi intulerat, et quoniam Athenienses eum classe non aderant, qui eum venturum non credebant, et dona potius et legatos ad ipsum miserant, quandam sua rura copiarum partem in Chalcidenses et Bottiaeos misit; quumque illos intra muros compulisset, agrum eorum vastabat.

[2] Dum autem castra stativa habet in his locis, Thessali, qui austrum versus habitant, et Magnetes et ceteri, qui Thessalorum imperio parent, et Graeci ad Thermopylas usque timuerunt, ne exercitus iste contra se quoque veniret, et in armis erant

[3] Timuerunt etiam Thraces , qui trans Strymonem boream versus loca campestria incolebant, Panaei et Odomanti et Droi et Dersaei; omnes autem hi sui juris sunt.

[4] Praebuit etiam occasionem rumoris inter Graecos Atheniensium liostes, ne per foedus adducti ab iis barbari se quoque invaderent

[5] Ille vero et Chalcidicum et Botticum et Macedonicum agrum simul complexus vastabat; et postquam nihil eorum, quorum causa infestis armis eo profectus erat, ipsi feliciter succedebat, et exercitus ejus coaimeatu deliciebatur et hiemis incommodis vexabatur, persuadetur ei ab Seuthe Spardaci filio , patrueli suo, qui apud ipsum potentia secundus erat, ut celeriter discederet. Seulhen autem Perdiccas sibi clam conciliaverat, pollicitus se in matrimonium ei sororem daturum, et cum ipsa pecunias etiam.

[6] Itaque Sitalces quidem ita inductus, quum omnino triginta dies ibi commoratus esset et horum octo apud Chalcidenses, cum exercitu domum celeriter se recepit; Perdiccas vero postea Stratonicen sororem suam Seuthae uxorem dedit, ut promiserat. Haec igitur Sitalcis expeditio hunc habuit exitum.

[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.

Intanto Sitalce dichiarava a Perdicca le cagioni della sua spedizione : ma siccome gli Ateniesi diffidando ch’ei v’anderebbe non erano comparsi colla flotta, e solo gli avevano inviato ambasciatori con dei presenti, prende il parti to di distaccare parte di sua gente contro i Calcidesi ed i Bottici, e rinchiusi che li ebbe dentro le castella, ne saccheggiò il territorio. In vedendolo osteggiare intorno a questi luoghi, i Tessali di mezzogiorno, i Magneti e gli altri sudditi dei Tessali, e gli altri Greci fino alle Termopile temettero ohe l’esercito potesse avanzarsi anche contro di loro, e già si andavano preparando. Impaurirono anche tutti i Traci settentrionali abitatori delle pianure di là dallo Strimone, i Panci, gli Odomanti, i Droi, i Dersei, popoli tutti independent}. Corse pur voce fino tra quei Greci che erano nemici dégli Ateniesi, che indotti da questi per titolo di alleanza marcerebbero anche contro di loro. Sitalce però, intanto che si tratteneva, dava il guasto alla Calcidica, alla Bottica ed alla Macedonia. Con tutto ciò non gli riuscendo nulla di quel per cui erasi mosso , tanto più che l' esercito era stremo di vettovaglia e molestato dal verno, si lascia persuadere a sollecitare la ritirata da Seute figliolo di Spardoco, suo nipote, che il guasto alla Migdpnia, alla Grestonia e ad Antemunte. I Macedoni poi non avetano neanche il pensiero di far aveva dopo lui la più grande autorità. Si era Perdicca conciliato segretamente Seute, colla promessa di dargli in isposa la sua sorella con ricca dote. Sitalce pertanto acconsenti e tornò sollecitamente a casa coll' esercito, dopo essersi fermato trenta giorni, otto dei quali presso i Calcidesi. Dipoi Perdicca, secondo che avea promesso, dà a Seute la sua sorella Stratonica. Cosi andò la spedizione di Sitalce.