Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 4.68

[1] After this the Athenian soldiers, as they entered, went up every one to the wall.

[2] And a few of the Peloponnesians that were of the garrison, made head at first and fought and were some of them slain; but the most of them took their heels, fearing in the night both the enemy that charged them and also the traitors of the Megareans that fought against them, apprehending that all the Megareans in general had betrayed them.

[3] It chanced also that the Athenian herald of his own discretion made proclamation that if any Megarean would take part with the Athenians, he should come and lay down his arms. When the Peloponnesians heard this, they stayed no longer, but seriously believing that they jointly warred upon them, fled into Nisaea.

[4] As soon as it was day, the walls being now taken and the Megareans being in a tumult within the city, they that had treated with the Athenians, and with them the rest, as many as were conscious, said it was fit to have the gates opened and to go out and give the enemy battle.

[5] Now it was agreed on between them that when the gates were open, the Athenians should rush in, and that themselves would be easily known from the rest, to the end they might have no harm done them, for that they would besmear themselves with some ointment. And the opening of the gates would be for their greater safety, for the four thousand men of arms of Athens and six hundred horsemen, which according to the appointment were to come to them, having marched all night, were already arrived.

[6] When they had besmeared themselves and were now about the gates, one of those who were privy discovered the conspiracy to the rest that were not. These joining their strength came all together to the gates, denying that it was fit to go out to fight, for that neither in former times when they were stronger than now, durst they do so, or to put the city into so manifest danger, and said, that if they would not be satisfied, the battle should be thereright. Yet they discovered not that they knew of the practice, but only, as having given good advice, meant to maintain it. And they stayed at the gates, insomuch as the traitors could not perform what they intended.

[1] After this, each of the Athenians as fast as they entered went against the wall.

[2] A few of the Peloponnesian garrison stood their ground at first, and tried to repel the assault, and some of them were killed but the main body took fright and fled; the night attack and the sight of the Megarian traitors in arms against them making them think that all Megara had gone over to the enemy.

[3] It so happened also that the Athenian herald of his own idea called out and invited any of the Megarians that wished, to join the Athenian ranks; and this was no sooner heard by the garrison than they gave way, and, convinced that they were the victims of a concerted attack, took refuge in Nisaea .

[4] By daybreak, the walls being now taken and the Megarians in the city in great agitation, the persons who had negotiated with the Athenians, supported by the rest of the popular party which was privy to the plot, said that they ought to open the gates and march out to battle.

[5] It had been concerted between them that the Athenians should rush in, the moment that the gates were opened, while the conspirators were to be distinguished from the rest by being anointed with oil, and so to avoid being hurt. They could open the gates with more security, as four thousand Athenian heavy infantry from Eleusis , and six hundred horse, had marched all night, according to agreement, and were now close at hand.

[6] The conspirators were all ready anointed and at their posts by the gates when one of their accomplices denounced the plot to the opposite party, who gathered together and came in a body, and roundly said that they must not march out—a thing they had never yet ventured on even when in greater force than at present—or wantonly compromise the safety of the town, and that if what they said was not attended to, the battle would have to be fought in Megara . For the rest, they gave no signs of their knowledge of the intrigue, but stoutly maintained that their advice was the best, and meanwhile kept close by and watched the gates, making it impossible for the conspirators to effect their purpose.

Die Athener aber richteten, sowie sie drin waren, ihren
Angriff auch gleich auf die Mauer. Ein kleines Häuflein der
peloponnesischen Besatzung hielt anfangs tapfer stand, und
einige davon blieben auf dem Platze. Die meisten aber er­
griffen die Flucht, erschreckt durch den nächtlichen Überfall der
Feinde, zumal sie auch die Verräter auS Megara sich gegenüber
sahen und glaubten, ganz Megara hätte sie verraten. Oben­
drein hatte der Herold der Athener zufällig auf eigene Hand
ausgerufen, alle Megarer könnten, wenn sie wollten, unter
Waffen zu den Athenern übertreten. Als sie dies hörten,
hielten sie nicht länger stand, sondern flohen nach Nisaia in
der Meinung, es in der Tat mit beiden zu tun zu haben. Früh­
morgens, als die Mauer bereits genommen und in der Stadt
Megara Lärm geschlagen war, verlangten die dortigen An­
hänger der Athener und andere ihrer zahlreichen Gesinnungs­
genossen, man solle das Stadttor öffnen und gegen den Feind
marschieren. Sie hatten nämlich verabredet, sobald das Tor
geöffnet würde, sollten die Athener eindringen, sie selbst aber,
um kenntlich zu sein, sich zur Sicherheit mit Hl einshcmieren.
Auch konnten sie jetzt um so unbedenklicher das Tor öffnen lassen,
da inzwischen der Verabredung gemäß viertausend athenische
Hopliten und sechshundert Reiter nach einem Nachtmarsch von
Eleusis eingetroffen waren. Als sie sich schon eingeschmiert
und ans Tor begeben hatten, verriet jedoch einer der Mit­
wissenden den übrigen, was im Werke war. Nun rotteten die
sich zusammen und erklärten, habe man schon früher nicht ge­
wagt, gegen den Feind zu marshcieren, wo man dazu weit eher
imstande gewesen, so dürfe man das auch jetzt nicht tun und
die Stadt nicht offenbarer Gefahr aussetzen. Wem das nicht
recht sei, der möge nur gleich hier vom Leder ziehen. Sie
aber ließen sich nicht merken, daß sie um die Verabredungen
wußten, sondern versicherten, sie hätten nur das Beste gewollt,
und blieben selbst mit auf Wache am Tore, so daß die Ver­
räter ihren Zweck nicht erreichten.

LXVIII. A mesure que les Athéniens ont franchi l’entrée ils s’avancent à la muraille. Quelques-uns des Péloponnésiens qui la gardent résistent d’abord ; plusieurs même sont tués ; mais la plupart prennent la fuite, effrayés, au milieu des ténèbres, par cette invasion subite de l’ennemi, et par les attaques des Mégariens qui trahissent, car ils crurent que toute la population était du complot ; d’autant plus qu’un héraut athénien s’était mis à proclamer, de son propre mou- vement, que tous ceux des Mégariens qui voudraient se joindre aux Athéniens eus ent à venir en armes. A cette proclamation, ils ne tinrent plus : persuadés qu’il y avait effectivement accord pour les attaquer, ils se réfugièrent à Nisée.

Au point du jour, les murs ¹ étaient entièrement occupés ; l’agitation était au comble dans la ville de Mégare. Ceux qui avaient traité avec les Athéniens, et beaucoup d’autres initiés au complot, disaient qu’il fallait ouvrir les portes et sortir pour combattre. Il était convenu, en effet, que, les portes ouvertes, les Athéniens s’y précipiteraient. Les conjurés devaient se faire reconnaître en se frottant de graisse, pour qu’on ne leur fit aucun mal. Il y avait d’autant plus de sécurité pour eux à ouvrir les portes, que, conformément aux stipulations, quatre mille hoplites athéniens et six cents cavaliers étaient arrivés la nuit d’Éleusis. Déjà ils s’étaient frottés de graisse et se tenaient aux portes, lorsqu’un des affidés dénonça le complot aux autres citoyens. Ceux-ci se réunirent, arrivèrent en foule, et déclarèrent qu’on ne devait ni sortir de la place (ce que jamais jusque-là on n’avait osé faire, même avec des forces plus considérables), ni exposer la ville à un danger évident ; que si on résistait à cet avis, c’était contre eux qu’il faudrait se mesurer sur le lieu même. Du reste, ils ne laissaient pas percer qu’ils connussent rien de ce qui se passait ; mais ils maintenaient énergiquement leur opinion comme la meilleure ; et en même temps ils restaient à la porte pour la garder ; si bien qu’il n’y eut pas moyen pour les conjurés d’accomplir leur dessein.

A mesure que ceux-ci ont franchi la porte, ils se dirigent vers la muraille. La garnison péloponésienne, quoique peu nombreuse, résista d’abord et eut quelques hommes tués ; mais bientôt la plupart des soldats prirent la fuite, épouvantés par cette attaque nocturne et par la trahison des Mégariens; car ils crurent toute la population complice. Une circonstance accidentelle les confirma dans cette erreur. Le héraut athénien fit de son chef une proclamation pour inviter les Méga-riens de bonne volonté à venir en armes se joindre aux Athéniens. Cette proclamation acheva d’intimider les soldats du Péloponèse. Ils se crurent en butte à une conspiration générale et se sauvèrent à Niséa.

Au lever du soleil, les murs étaient entièrement occupés. Une extrême agitation régnait dans Mégare. Les traîtres qui avaient négocié avec les Athéniens demandaient qu’on ouvrit les portes et qu’on sortît pour combattre. Or, il était convenu qu’aussitôt les portes ouvertes, les Athéniens s’y jetteraient. Les conjurés, pour être reconnus et moins exposés, devaient être frottés d’huile. Ils risquaient peu à ouvrir les portes ; car, suivant la convention, quatre mille hoplites et six cents cavaliers d’Athènes étaient arrivés d’Éleusis après une marche de nuit. Déjà les conjurés s’étaient frottés d’huile et se tenaient aux portes, lorsqu’un d’entre eux dévoila le complot aux citoyens qui l’ignoraient. Aussitôt ceux-ci accourent en foule et soutiennent qu’il ne faut point sortir; que c’est exposer la ville à un danger manifeste ; qu’auparavant, bien qu'on eût plus de force , jamais on ne l’avait osé ; qu’enfin, si Ton s’obstine, on se battra sur place. Au surplus, ils feignaient d’être dans l’ignorance du complot, et se bornaient à maintenir leur opinion comme la meilleure ; mais en même temps ils demeuraient près des portes, bien décidés à les défendre, de sorte que les traîtres ne pouvaient exécuter leur projet.

[1] After that every Athenian who got inside immediately made for the wall.

[2] A few of the Peloponnesian garrison at first stood their ground and defended themselves, some of them being killed, but most of them took to flight, being seized with panic, both because the enemy had attacked them at night, and also because they thought the Megarian traitors were fighting against them; and they supposed that all the Megarians had betrayed them.

[3] For it so happened also that the Athenian herald, acting on his own responsibility, made a proclamation that any Megarian who so desired might espouse the cause of the Athenians. When the garrison heard this proclamation it no longer held out, but, verily believing that a concerted attack was being made upon them, fled to Nisaea.

[4] And at daybreak, when the walls had already been taken and the Megarians in the city were in a tumult, those who had negotiated with the Athenians, and a large number besides who were privy to the plot, expressed the opinion that they ought to open the gates and go out to battle.

[5] It had, in fact, been agreed between them and the Athenians, that as soon as the gates were opened the Athenians should rush in, and, in order that they might themselves escape injury, they were to be distinguished from the rest by being anointed with oil. They were also to have additional security in thus opening the gates, since the men. who according to the compact were to march by night from Eleusis, four thousand Athenian hoplites and six hundred cavalry, were now at hand. ¹

[6] But after they had anointed themselves and were already near the gates, an accomplice divulged the plot to the other party. And they, gathering in a body, came and declared that they ought neither to march out to fight—for they had never ventured to do such a thing before, even when they were stronger —nor to bring the city into manifest danger; and, they added, should anyone refuse to obey, the fight would take place on the spot. But they gave no signs whatever that they were aware of the plot which was going on, but stoutly maintained that their advice was for the best, and at the same time stayed about the gates keeping watch, so that the plotters had no opportunity to carry out their intentions.

[1] Then each of the Athenians, as he successively entered, proceeded against the wall.

[2] And of the Peloponnesian garrison a few at first resisted, and defended themselves, and some of them were killed; but the greater part took to flight, being terrified in consequence of the enemy having attacked them by night, and the Megarean traitors fighting against them; and thinking that all the Megareans had betrayed them.

[3] For it happened that the Athenian herald had of his own accord proclaimed, that whoever of the Megareans wished, should go and pile his arms with the Athenians. So when they heard that, they stayed no longer; but thinking that they were certainly the objects of a common attack, fled for refuge to Nisaea.

[4] In the morning, when the walls were now taken, and the Megareans in the city were in confusion, those who had negotiated with the Athenians, and others with them, viz. the popular party who were privy to the measure, said that they ought to throw open the gates, and march out to battle. It had been arranged by them, that when the gates were opened, the Athenians should rush in;

[5] and they themselves would be distinguished from the rest, for they said they would anoint themselves with oil, that they might not be hurt. And they felt the greater security in opening the gates, since, according to agreement, the four thousand Athenian heavy-armed from Eleusis, and six hundred horse, had marched all night, and were now there.

[6] But when they were anointed, and were now standing about the gates, one of their associates gave information of the plot to the other party, who consequently united, and came in a body, and urged that they ought neither to march out, (for not even before, when they were stronger, had they ever ventured on this,) nor to bring the city into evident danger; and if any one did not obey them, there, [in Megara itself,] should the battle be fought. But they gave no intimation of their being acquainted with their practices, but positively maintained that they were giving the best advice; and at the same time they kept their post about the gates, so that it was not possible for the conspirators to accomplish what they intended.

[1] Deinde vero jam Atheniensium unusquisque, prout deinceps intrabat, ad murum contendebat.

[2] Et Peloponnesii praesidiarii primo quidem pauci resistentes vim propulsabant, et nonnulli eorum ceciderunt, sed plerique in fugam se conjecerunt, tum quod hostes noctu irruperant, tum etiam quod a Megarensibus proditoribus oppugnabantur, rati se ab universis Megarensibus proditos.

[3] Accidit enim simul etiam,ut Atheniensium praeco sua sponte ediceret, ut quisquis vellet Megarensium iret arma cum Atheniensibus juncturus; quod illi quum audissent, nullam moram amplius interposuerunt, sed re vera se ab utrisque oppugnari existimantes, in Nisaeam fuga se receperunt.

[4] Prima autem luce muris jam captis, et Megarensibus, qui in urbe erant, metu trepidantibus, illi, qui Atheniensibus fuverant, et alii cum ipsis, tota multitudo, quae proditionis erat conscia, portas aperiendas, et ad proelium adversus hostem prodeundum dicebant.

[5] Inter eos autem convenerat, ut portis apertis Athenienses irrumperent, ipsi autem ut internoscerentur, prospecturi erant; nam oleo se uncturi erant, ne laederentur. Fiebat autem, ut tutius pos. sent portas aperire; nam, ut inter eos convenerat, quatuor millia peditum gravis armaturae et sexcenti equites Atheniensium , qui noctu iter fecerant, ab Eleusine aderant.

[6] Et quum illi uncti essent et jam ad portas pervenissent, quidam ex consciis insidias alteris indicat. Illi vero agmine facto frequentes venerunt, et dixerunt, nec exeundum adversus hostes (nam ne ante quidem .unquam, quamvis essent potentiores, hoc facere se ausos esse), nec civitatem in manifestum periculum adducendam, et si quis non pareret, illic in loco pugnam commissum iri. Nullo autem modo significabant, se scire, quae agerentur, sed velut optimum factu consulentes in sententia perseverabant ,et simul ad portas permanebant easque custodiebant, ut non liceret insidiatoribus ea peragere, quae statuerant.

[1] Akanthier! Die Absicht Spartas bei Aussendung meines Heeres ist keine andere, als den Zweck unseres Krieges mit Athen, als welchen wir in der Kriegserklärung die Befreiung Griechenlands angekündigt, zur Wirklichkeit zu machen. An unserm späten Erscheinen aber ist die durch die bisherigen Feldzüge getäuschte Hoffnung schuld, euch den Kampf zu ersparen und in kurzer Zeit allein mit Athen fertig zu werden; und es kann uns dasselbe um so weniger zum Vorwurf gemacht werden, da wir jetzt die erste Gelegenheit ergreifen, hieher zu kommen und auch euch zur Theilnahme an dem Vernichtungskampfe einzuladen. Um so mehr befremdet es mich, aus dem Sperren der Thore auf eine unfreundliche Stimmung bei euch schliessen zu müssen. In dem guten Glauben, in euch längst, vor unserer Ankunft schon, entschiedene Bundesgenossen zu finden, denen wir nur willkommen sein würden, haben wir Lacedämonier die Gefahr nicht angesehen, die mit einem so weiten Marsch durch fremdes Gebiet verbunden war, und jedes mögliche Opfer gebracht, — und wie, ihr solltet ganz andere Gesinnungen hegen, solltet eurer eigenen und aller Griechen Befreiung euch widersetzen wollen? Denn nicht allein, dass ihr zu dem Feinde stehet, es müsste auch alle folgenden Städte zurückhaltend und besorgt machen, wenn gleich anfangs eine so ansehnliche und einflussreiche Stadt wie die eurige mich abwiese. Der Glaube an meine Sendung wäre dahin ¹ , man argwohnte nur Böses in der Freiheit, die ich bringe ² , oder sähe in meinem Heere einen zu schwachen und nichtssagenden Schutz gegen Athens drohende Rache. Zwar es war dasselbe Heer, mit dem ich vor Nisäa zog, wo die Athener trotz ihrer Uebermacht keinen Angriff wagten, und ein so zahlreiches Heer wie das nisäische würden sie ohnehin in keinem Fall gegen euch über's Meer schicken. ³

Dipoi ciascuno degli Ateniesi che a mano a mano passava la porta, si avviava verso le mura, ove pochi del presidio peloponnesio fecero in principio resistenza , ed alcuni rimasero morti : i più però si diedero alla fuga impauriti da quel notturno assalto de’nemici, e dal vedersi a fronte quei cittadini traditori ; onde stimavano che tutti i Megaresi si fossero accordati a tradirli. Occorse inoltre che un araldo ateniese di suo capriccio bandì che chiuni{ue de’ Megaresi volesse esser con gli Ateniesi prendesse le armi. A tal voce non ressero più , ma pensando di aver veramente nemico tutto il popolo , si ricovrarono a Nisea. con loro gran moltitudine di popolo informati del segreto gridavano doversi aprire le porte ed uscire a battaglia. Avevano già tra loro stabilito che ungendosi per contrassegno con del grasso a fine di non essere offesi, aprirebquantunque avessero maggiori forze , nè gettare la città in manifesto pericolo ; che se alcun si opponesse , ivi s’avea a decidere coll'armi. Mostravano al tempo stesso non saper nulla di quei maneggi, ma insistevano come che consigliassero il migliore , ed intanto restavano fermi a guardia della porta ; di sorte che gli orditori della trama rimasero delusi.