Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Adolf Wahrmund (Translator), 2.5

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Die übrigen Thebaner, die noch in der Nacht mit der ganzen
Streitmacht hätten bei der Hand sein sollen, für den Fall, daß den
Eingedrungenen etwas in den Weg käme, erhielten auf dem Marsche
die Botschaft von dem Vorgefallenen und rückten nun eilends heran.
Nun ist Platäa von Theben 70 Stadien entfernt, und'der bei der
Nacht gefallene Regen hatte ihnen den Marsch erschwert; denn der
Fluß Asopos war hoch angeschwollen und nicht leicht zu durchschreiten.
Da sie also im Regen marschirten und nicht leicht über den Fluß setzen
konnten, so kamen sie erst an, als ihre Leute zum Theil schon um's ¹
Leben gekommen und die Andern bereits gefangen waren. Als die'
Thebaner nun sahen, was vorgefallen war, so trachteten sie diejenigen
von den Platäern in ihre Hände zu bekommen, die sich noch außerhalb
der Stadt befanden; dein es waren noch Leute und Gerätschaften
aus den Feldern, weil der schlimme Vorfall sich ganz unerwartet und
mitten im Frieden zutrug. Sie dachten nämlich die, welche ihnen
allenfalls in die Hände geriethen, als Geiseln für die drinnen zu
behalten, wenn vielleicht Einige noch lebend gefangen gehalten würden.
Das war ihre Absicht. Während' sie sich aber noch beriethen, schick»
ten die Platäer einen Herold zu ihnen heraus, denn sie vermutheten
etwas dergleichen und waren um ihre Leute draußen besorgt. Durch
den ließen sie den Thebanern sagen: sie hätten schon dadurch großes
Unrecht auf sich geladen, daß sie mitten im Frieden ihre Stadt
wegzunehmen versuchten, und sie sollten sich nun nicht auch noch an dem
Eigenthum außerhalb der Stadt vergreifen, sonst würden auch sie
ihnen die Männer tödten, welche sie gefangen hielten; wollten sie aber
von ihrem Gebiet wieder abziehen, so würden sie ihnen diese Männer
herausgeben. So wenigstens berichten die Thebaner und behaupten,
daß jene obendrein sich noch mit einem Eide verpflichtet hätten. Die
Platäer aber wollten nicht zugeben, daß sie versprochen hätten, die
Gefangenen sogleich freizugeben, sondern erst, wenn Verhandlungen
gepflogen worden wären, um eine Vereinbarung zuwege zu bringen,
und eidlich gebunden, sagen sie, hätten sie sich nicht. In der That
räumten indes; die Thebaner ihr Gebiet, ohne irgendwie Schaden
gethan zu haben, die Platäer aber brachten in der Eile Alles vom
Lande in die Stadt und tödteten dann sogleich die Gefangenen; es
waren deren aber hundert und achtzig in ihre Hände gefallen, und
darunter auch Eurymachos, mit welchem die Verräther sich in's
Einvernehmen gesetzt hatten.

History of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides. Adolf Wahrmund (Translator). Stuttgart. 1864.

Current edition First1KGreek

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs (German) (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Wahrmund, Adolf, translator. Stuttgart: Krais and Hoffmann, 1864.)

Editions (1)

Ἱστορίαι Perseus (Thucydides. Historiae, Vol 1-2. Jones, Henry Stuart, editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1910. (1942 printing).) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] οἱ δ’ ἄλλοι Θηβαῖοι, οὓς ἔδει ἔτι τῆς νυκτὸς παραγενέσθαι πανστρατιᾷ, εἴ τι ἄρα μὴ προχωροίη τοῖς ἐσεληλυθόσι, τῆς ἀγγελίας ἅμα καθ’ ὁδὸν αὐτοῖς ῥηθείσης περὶ τῶν γεγενημένων ἐπεβοήθουν.

[2] ἀπέχει δὲ ἡ Πλάταια τῶν Θηβῶν σταδίους ἑβδομήκοντα, καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ γενόμενον τῆς νυκτὸς ἐποίησε βραδύτερον αὐτοὺς ἐλθεῖν· ὁ γὰρ Ἀσωπὸς ποταμὸς ἐρρύη μέγας καὶ οὐ ῥᾳδίως διαβατὸς ἦν.

[3] πορευόμενοί τε ἐν ὑετῷ καὶ τὸν ποταμὸν μόλις διαβάντες ὕστερον παρεγένοντο, ἤδη τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν μὲν διεφθαρμένων, τῶν δὲ ζώντων ἐχομένων.

[4] ὡς δ’ ᾔσθοντο οἱ Θηβαῖοι τὸ γεγενημένον, ἐπεβούλευον τοῖς ἔξω τῆς πόλεως τῶν Πλαταιῶν· ἦσαν γὰρ καὶ ἄνθρωποι κατὰ τοὺς ἀγροὺς καὶ κατασκευή, οἷα ἀπροσδοκήτου κακοῦ ἐν εἰρήνῃ γενομένου· ἐβούλοντο γὰρ σφίσιν, εἴ τινα λάβοιεν, ὑπάρχειν ἀντὶ τῶν ἔνδον, ἢν ἄρα τύχωσί τινες ἐζωγρημένοι. καὶ οἱ μὲν ταῦτα διενοοῦντο,

[5] οἱ δὲ Πλαταιῆς ἔτι διαβουλευομένων αὐτῶν ὑποτοπήσαντες τοιοῦτόν τι ἔσεσθαι καὶ δείσαντες περὶ τοῖς ἔξω κήρυκα ἐξέπεμψαν παρὰ τοὺς Θηβαίους, λέγοντες ὅτι οὔτε τὰ πεποιημένα ὅσια δράσειαν ἐν σπονδαῖς σφῶν πειράσαντες καταλαβεῖν τὴν πόλιν, τά τε ἔξω ἔλεγον αὐτοῖς μὴ ἀδικεῖν· εἰ δὲ μή, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔφασαν αὐτῶν τοὺς ἄνδρας ἀποκτενεῖν οὓς ἔχουσι ζῶντας· ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ πάλιν ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἀποδώσειν αὐτοῖς τοὺς ἄνδρας.

[6] Θηβαῖοι μὲν ταῦτα λέγουσι καὶ ἐπομόσαι φασὶν αὐτούς· Πλαταιῆς δ’ οὐχ ὁμολογοῦσι τοὺς ἄνδρας εὐθὺς ὑποσχέσθαι ἀποδώσειν, ἀλλὰ λόγων πρῶτον γενομένων ἤν τι ξυμβαίνωσι, καὶ ἐπομόσαι οὔ φασιν.

[7] ἐκ δ’ οὖν τῆς γῆς ἀνεχώρησαν οἱ Θηβαῖοι οὐδὲν ἀδικήσαντες· οἱ δὲ Πλαταιῆς ἐπειδὴ τὰ ἐκ τῆς χώρας κατὰ τάχος ἐσεκομίσαντο, ἀπέκτειναν τοὺς ἄνδρας εὐθύς. ἦσαν δὲ ὀγδοήκοντα καὶ ἑκατὸν οἱ ληφθέντες, καὶ Εὐρύμαχος εἷς αὐτῶν ἦν, πρὸς ὃν ἔπραξαν οἱ προδιδόντες.

Translations (10)

The History of the Grecian War Perseus (Thucydides. The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Hobbes, Thomas. translator. London: John Bohn, 1843.) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] But the rest of the Thebans that should with their whole power have been there before day for fear the surprise should not succeed with those that were in, came so late with their aid that they heard the news of what was done by the way.

[2] Now Plataea is from Thebes seventy furlongs, and they marched the slower for the rain which had fallen the same night. For the river Asopus was swollen so high that it was not easily passable.

[3] So that what by the foulness of the way and what by the difficulty of passing the river, they arrived not till their men were already some slain and some taken prisoners.

[4] When the Thebans understood how things had gone, they lay in wait for such of the Plataeans as were without (for there were abroad in the villages both men and household stuff, as was not unlikely, the evil happening unexpectedly and in time of peace), desiring, if they could take any prisoners, to keep them for exchange for those of theirs within, which (if any were so) were saved alive.

[5] This was the Thebans' purpose. But the Plataeans, whilst they were yet in council, suspecting that some such thing would be done and fearing their case without, sent a herald unto the Thebans whom they commanded to say that what they had already done, attempting to surprise their city in time of peace, was done wickedly, and to forbid them to do any injury to those without, and that otherwise they would kill all those men of theirs that they had alive, which, if they would withdraw their forces out of their territory, they would again restore unto them.

[6] Thus the Thebans say, and that the Plataeans did swear it. But the Plataeans confess not that they promised to deliver them presently but upon treaty if they should agree, and deny that they swore it.

[7] Upon this the Thebans went out of their territory; and the Plataeans, when they had speedily taken in whatsoever they had in the country, immediately slew their prisoners. They that were taken were one hundred and eighty; and Eurymachus, with whom the traitors had practised, was one.

History of the Peloponnesian War Perseus (Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Crawley, Richard, translator. London and Toronto: J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd.; New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1914.) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] the rest of the Thebans who were to have joined them with all their forces before daybreak, in case of anything miscarrying with the body that had entered, received the news of the affair on the road, and pressed forward to their succor.

[2] Now Plataea is nearly eight miles from Thebes , and their march was delayed by the rain that had fallen in the night, for the river Asopus had risen and was not easy of passage;

[3] and so, having to march in the rain, and being hindered in crossing the river, they arrived too late, and found the whole party either slain or captive.

[4] When they learned what had happened, there at once formed a design against the Plataeans outside the city. As the attack had been made in time of peace, and was perfectly unexpected, there were of course men and stock in the fields; and the Thebans wished if possible to have some prisoners to exchange against their countrymen in the town, should any chance to have been taken alive.

[5] Such was their plan. But the Plataeans suspected their intention almost before it was formed, and becoming alarmed for their fellow-citizens outside the town, sent a herald to the Thebans, reproaching them for their unscrupulous attempt to seize their city in time of peace, and warning them against any outrage on those outside. Should the warning be disregarded, they threatened to put to death the men they had in their hands, but added that, on the Thebans retiring from their territory, they would surrender the prisoners to their friends.

[6] This is the Theban account of the matter, and they say that they had an oath given them. The Plataeans, on the other hand, do not admit any promise of an immediate surrender, but make it contingent upon subsequent negotiation: the oath they deny altogether.

[7] Be this as it may, upon the Thebans retiring from their territory without committing any injury, the Plataeans hastily got in whatever they had in the country and immediately put the men to death. The prisoners were a hundred and eighty in number; Eurymachus, the person with whom the traitors had negotiated, being one.

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Braun, Theodor, translator. Leipzig: Insel-Verlag, 1917.) — 2.5 focus

Als die anderen Thebaner, welche für den Fall, daß den
Eindringlingen was in die Quere käme, schon in der Nacht
mit ihrer Hauptmacht zur Stelle sein sollten, unterwegs die
Nachricht erhielten, wie die Sache abgelaufen, beschleunigten
sie ihren Marsch. Platää ist von Theben siebzig Stadien ent
fernt, und da es über Nacht stark geregnet hatte, kamen sie
nur langsam vorwärts. Der Asopos war hoch angeshcwollen.
und schwer zu überschreiten. Und da sie im Regen marschieren
mußten und beim Übergange über den Fluß viel Zeit verloren
hatten, kamen sie zu spät, so daß ihre Landsleute entweder
schon tot oder gefangen waren. Als sie das erfuhren, suchten
sie die außerhalb der Stadt befindlichen Platäer einzufangen;
denn da der Überfall so urplötzlich mitten im Frieden erfolgt
war, waren noch Leute und Gerätschaften draußen auf dem
Lande. Die eingefangenen Platäer aber sollten ihnen als
Geiseln dienen für ihre noch am Leben befindlichen gefangenen
Landsleute. Während sie sich die Sache noch überlegten,
schickten die Platäer, die etwas der Art vermuteten und für
ihre Leute draußen fürchteten, aus der Stadt einen Herold
an sie ab und ließen ihnen sagen, es sei schon schweres Un
recht gegen sie gewesen, mitten im Frieden einen solchen Ge
waltstreich gegen ihre Stadt zu führen, und man solle sie jetzt
draußen im Frieden lassen. Wo nicht, so würden auch sie die
Gefangenen töten, denen sie bisher das Leben gelassen und die
sie ihnen herausgeben würden, wenn sie ihr Gebiet räumten.
So wenigstens sagen die Thebaner und versichern sogar, die
Platäer hätten sich eidlich dazu verpflichtet. Die Platäer aber
stellen in Abrede, die sofortige Herausgabe der Gefangenen
versprochen zu haben, behaupten vielmehr, sie hätten sich dazu
nur bereit erklärt, falls es auf Grund weiterer Verhandlungen
zu einem Vergleich kommen würde, eidlich aber hätten sie sich
überhaupt zu nichts verpflichtet. Die Thebaner räumten denn
auch ihr Gebiet, ohne dort weiter Schaden zu tun. Die Pla
täer aber brachten alles, was draußen war, schnell in die Stadt
und töteten dann die Gefangenen auf der Stelle. Im ganzen
waren es hundertundachtzig, unter ihnen auch Eurymachos, mit
dem die Verräter die Sache eingefädelt hatten.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponèse First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése, Vol. 1-2. Zévort, Marie Charles, translator. Paris: Charpentier, 1852.) — 2.5 focus

V. D’autres Thébains étaient en marche, et tout un corps d’armée devait arriver avant la fin de la nuit, pour appuyer ceux qui étaient entrés, s’ils rencontraient quelque difficulté. Ils reçurent en chemin la nouvelle de ce qui s’était passé, et continuèrent à avancer au secours des leurs. Platée est à quatre-vingt-dix stades de Thèbes ; la pluie qui survint la nuit retarda leur marche ; le fleuve Asopus se gonfla et devint difficile à traverser. Ils cheminèrent sous la pluie, ne passèrent le fleuve qu'avec peine, et arrivèrent trop tard ; déjà les leurs étaient ou tués, ou prisonniers. A cette nouvelle, les Thébains songèrent à un coup de main contre ceux des Platéens qui étaient hors de la ville ; car naturellement beaucoup d’habitants, ne pouvant prévoir cette surprise en pleine paix, étaient à la campagne avec leurs effets. Les Thébains voulaient faire quelques prisonniers qui leur répondissent de leurs compatriotes enfermés dans la ville, s’il y en avait à qui on eût laissé la vie. Tel était leur dessein : ils délibéraient encore quand les Platéens, soupçonnant leurs projets et inquiets pour ceux qui étaient au dehors, envoyèrent un héraut leur déclarer que leur tentative sur Platée, en pleine paix, était une violation des lois les plus sacrées ; qu’ils eussent à ne faire aucun mal à ceux du dehors, s’ils ne voulaient que les Platéens missent à mort les prisonniers qu’ils avaient entre les mains ; que si, au contraire, ils sortaient du territoire, on s’engageait à les leur rendre. Tel est du moins le récit des Thébains, et ils ajoutent que cette convention fut jurée. Les Platéens prétendent, au contraire, qu’ils ne s’étaient pas engagés tout d’abord à rendre les prisonniers, mais seulement après pourparlers et en cas d’accommodement ; ils nient s’être liés par serment. Les Thébains sortirent donc du pays, sans faire aucun mal. Les Platéens, après avoir rentré en toute hâte ce qui était au dehors, massacrèrent aussitôt leurs prisonniers. Parmi eux se trouvait Eurymaque, avec qui les traîtres s’étaient concertés.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése. Bétant, Élie-Ami, translator. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1863.) — 2.5 focus

Tel fut le sort des Thébains entrés dans Platée. D’autres devaient, cette nuit même, arriver de Thèbes en corps d’armée pour les soutenir au besoin. Ils apprirent en route ce qui se passait et pressèrent le pas. Platée est à soixante-dix stades de Thèbes; l’orage de la nuit retarda leur marche ; le fleuve Asopos s’enfla et devint difficile à franchir; ils cheminèrent par la pluie, traversèrent le fleuve à grand’peine, et n’arrivèrent qu’après la prise ou la mort de leurs gens. En conséquence ils se mirent en devoir de dresser des embûches à ceux des Pla-téens qui étaient hors de la ville ; car il y avait dans la campagne bon nombre d’hommes, avec tout l'attirail qui s’y trouve en temps de paix èt de sécurité. Ils voulaient que ceux qu’ils réussiraient à prendre leur répondissent des captifs. Comme ils délibéraient, les Platéens, soupçonnant leurs intentions et alarmés pour ceux du dehors, envoyèrent un héraut pour dire aux Thébains que c’était une impiété à eux d’avoir cherché à s'emparer de leur ville en pleine paix; qu’ils se gardassent bien de toucher à ceux de l’extérieur, s’ils ne voulaient pas que les Platéens missent à mort les prisonniers tombés entre leurs mains ; s’engageant d’ailleurs à les rendre si les Thébains évacuaient le territoire. C’est là du moins ce que disent les Thébains, et ils ajoutent que cette convention fut confirmée par serment. Les Platéens au contraire soutiennent qu’ils n’avaient pas promis de rendre immédiatement les prisonniers, mais qu’ils étaient entrés simplement en pourparlers, pour essayer d’en venir à un accord, et ils affirment n'avoir rien juré. Quoi qu’il en soit, les Thébains quittèrent le pays sans y avoir fait aucun mal, tandis que les Platéens n’eurent pas plus tôt retiré dans leurs murs ce qui était dans les campagnes, qu’ils massacrèrent tous les prisonniers, au nombre de cent quatre-vingts. Parmi ces derniers se trouvait Eurymachos, le principal agent de la trahison.

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides, Vol. 1-4. Smith, Charles Foster, translator. London and Cambridge, MA: Heinemann and Harvard University Press, 1919-1923.) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] but the main body of the Thebans, who were to have come in full force while it was still night, on the chance that things might not go well with those who had entered the city, received while on the way news of what had happened and were now hastening to the rescue.

[2] Now Plataea is about seventy stadia distant from Thebes, and the rain that had come on during the night delayed their coming; for the river Asopus was running high and was not easy to cross.

[3] And so, marching in the rain and crossing the river with difficulty, they arrived too late, some of their men having already been slain and others taken captive alive.

[4] And when the Thebans learned what had happened, they began to plot against the Plataeans who were outside the city—there were, of course, men in the fields and household property, as the trouble had come unexpectedly in time of peace—for they desired to have such men as they could lay hands on as hostages for those within, in case any of them had chanced to be taken captive. Such then were their plans;

[5] but the Plataeans, while the Thebans were still deliberating, suspected that something of the sort would be done, and fearing for those outside sent out a herald to the Thebans, saying that they had done an impious thing in trying to seize their city in time of peace, and they ;blde them do no injury outside the walls; if they did, they on their part would put to death the men whom they held captive, but if the Thebans withdrew from their territory they would restore the men to them. Now this is the account which the Thebans give, and they allege that the Plataeans confirmed their promise with an oath;

[6] the Plataeans do not admit that they promised to restore the men at once, but only that they would do so in case they should come to an agreement after preliminary negotiations, and they deny that they swore to it.

[7] At any rate, the Thebans withdrew from their territory without doing any injury; but the Plataeans, as soon as they had hastily fetched in their property from the country, straightway slew the men. And those who had been taken captive were one hundred and eighty in number, one of them being Eurymachus, with whom the traitors had negotiated.

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides. The history of the Peloponnesian War, Volume 1-2. Dale, Henry, translator. London: Heinemann and Henry G. Bohn, 1851-1852.) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] The rest of the Thebans, who were to have joined them with all their forces while it was still night, in case those who had entered should be at all unsuccessful, on receiving on their march the tidings of what had happened, advanced to their succour.

[2] Now Plataea is seventy stades distant from Thebes, and the rain which had fallen in the night made them proceed the slower; for the river Asopus was flowing with a full stream, and was not to be crossed easily.

[3] So by marching through the rain, and having passed the river with difficulty, they arrived too late; as some of the men had been by this time slain, and others of them were kept alive as prisoners.

[4] When the Thebans learned what had happened, they formed a design against those of the Plataeans who were outside the city, (for there were both men and stock in the fields, inasmuch as the evil had happened unexpectedly in time of peace,) for they wished to have all they could take to exchange for their own men within, should any happen to have been taken alive. Such were their plans.

[5] But the Plataeans, while they were still deliberating, having suspected that there would be something of this kind, and being alarmed for those outside, sent out a herald to the Thebans, saying that they had not acted justly in what had been done, by endeavouring to seize their city in time of treaty; and told them not to injure what was without; else they also would put to death the men whom they had alive in their hands; but if they withdrew again from the territory, they would give the men back to them.

[6] The Thebans give this account of the matter, and say that they swore to it. But the Plataeans do not acknowledge that they promised to give back the men immediately, but when proposals had first been made, in case of their coming to any agreement: and they deny that they wore to it. ¹

[7] At any rate the Thebans retired from the territory without having done any injury; but the Plataeans, after getting in as quickly as possible whatever they had in the country, immediately put the men to death. Those who had been taken were one hundred and eighty, and Eurymachus, with whom the traitors had negotiated, was one of them.

Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci First1KGreek (Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci. Haase, Friedrich, translator. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1869.) — 2.5.1 focus

[1] Ceteri vero Thebani, quos in ipsa adhuc nocte cum omnibus copiis adesse oportuerat, siquid forte minus succederet illis, qui urbem intrarant, cum iis in ipso itinere nuntius de rebus gestis allatus esset, auxilio veniebant.

[2] Abest autem Platea a Thebis septuaginta stadia, et aqua, quae illa nocte deciderat, eiTecit, ut iter tardius conficerent. Asopus enim fluvius multus fluxerat, nec facile transiri poterat.

[3] Quare per pluviam iter facientes, fluvioque vix trajecto, sero venerunt, quum illorum milites partim jam es- sent interfecti, partim vivi detinerentur.

[4] Postquam vero Thebani intellexerunt id, quod acciderat, Plataeensibus, qui erant extra urbem, insidias struebant. Nam et homines in agris erant, ut supellex, quippe quod hoc malum inopinatum pacis tempore contigisset. Volebant enim, si quem cepissent, eum sibi eorum loco esse, qui in urbe erant, si qui forte vivi capti essent.

[5] Atque hi quidem haec in animo habebant. Plataeenses vero, cum illi adhuc consultarent, suspicati aliquid hujusmodi eventurum, sollicitiquc de civibus, qui foris erant, caduceatorem ad Thebanos emiserunt, dicentes, neque fas iis fuisse facere ea, quae facta erant, qui stante foedere suam urbem occupare conati essent; et quae foris erant, dicebant ne affligerent. Alioqui dicebant, fore, ut et ipsi illorum milites interficerent, quos vivos haberent ; si vero ex suo agro recederent, hos illis redderent.

[6] Thebani quidem liaec dicunt, et illos etiam Jusjurandum addidisse perhibent. Plataeenses vero negant, se slatim pollicitos esse, ut captivos redderent, sed colloquio prius habito si quam compositionem inter se facere potuissent, et jusjurandum addidisse negant.

[7] Recesserunt igitur Thebani ex illorum finibus, nulla injuria facta, Plataeenses vero, simul atque ex agris omnia in urbem comportarunt, confe-stim captivos interfecerunt. Erant autem numero centum et octoginta, qui capti erant, et ex illis unus erat Eurymachus, cum quo proditores egerant.

Vier Staatsreden aus Thucydides First1KGreek (Thucydides. Vier Staatsreden aus Thucydides. Gürsching, Heinrich, translator. Augsburg: Wirth, 1856.) — 2.35.1 focus

[1] Wenn es bisher bei den Rednern an dieser Stätte fast allgemeiner Brauch geworden, den Mann zu rühmen, der mit der Bestattung diese Rede verband, weil an dem Grabe gefallener Krieger ein ehrendes Wort sich zieme, so würde ich es für hinreichend gehalten haben, dass man Helden der That mit einer festlichen Handlung ehre, — wie das denn der Staat durch die Bestattung gethan hat, deren Zeugen ihr so eben gewesen — und würde die Verherrlichung so vieler Männer nicht einem Einzelnen und der zufälligen Wirkung seines Vortrags anheimgegeben haben.

La storia di Tucidide First1KGreek (Thucydides. Della storia di Tucidide volgarizzata libri otto. Anonymous translator. Florence: Tipografia Galileiana, 1835.) — 2.5 focus

Gli altri Tebani poi che col corpo dell’esercito dovevano giugnervi prima che finisse la notte, caso che per gli entrati andasse qualche cosa in sinistro, udito per via l' accaduto ( già che Tebe è distante da Platea settanta stadi) si avanzavano per soccorrerli. Ma l’acqua caduta nella notte li rese più lenti nel cammino ; imperocché il fiume Asopo aveva menato gran corrente, ed era difficile guadarlo. Marciando pertanto con la pioggia, e passato il fiume a gran pena, arrivarono troppo tardi, quando già quei di dentro erano stati parte trucidati, parte fatti prigioni. Appena i Tebani riseppero ciò, pensarono di tendere agguati ai Plateesi che erano fuori di città ; conciossiachè , come suole intervenire in un disastro inaspettato ed accaduto duranti le tregue, la gente con le masserizie era sparsa alla campagna. Era anche loro intendimento , ove arrestassero qualcuno , di ritenerlo in iscambio dei loro rimasti prigioni in città, posto che alcuno sopravvivesse. Ciò andavano ravvolgendo nell’animo : ma i Plateesi, mentre che costoro stavano tuttora deliberando, vennero in sospetto di ciò che poteva accadere, e temendo per quei di fuori, spedirono un araldo ai Tebani , richiamandosi dell’ ingiuria fatta loro per aver tentato di occupar Platea in tempo di tregua, ed intimando non malmenassero le cose di fuori : altramente, soggiugnevano, ucciderebbono quei di loro gente che ritenevano vivi, dove, ritirandosi dal territorio, li restituirebbero. In questa guisa raccontano il fatto i Tebani, e dicono che i Plateesi vi aggiunsero il giuramento. I Plateesi, all’opposto , non convengono d’aver promesso di rendere addirittura i prigionieri, ma solo quando nell’abboccamento che doveva tenersi prima tra loro si fossero, in qualche modo, trovati d' accordo ; e negano d' avervi aggiunto il giuramento. Comunque sia, i Tebani si ritirarono dal ter» ritorio, senza averlo punto danneggiato. E i Plateesi, introdotto prima frettolosamente in città tutto ciò che era in campagna, ammazzarono subito i prigioni i quali erano cent’ottanta, tra questi Eurimaco con cui avevano condotto il maneggio quei che volevano tradir la patria.

Notes on the current edition

History of the Peloponnesian War

1. 431
v.
Chr.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 2.5

Adolf Wahrmund (Translator)

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