Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.46

[1] In the next day's meeting, Nicias, though the Lacedaemonians had been abused, and he himself also deceived touching their coming with full power to conclude, yet he persisted to affirm that it was their best course to be friends with the Lacedaemonians and to defer the Argives' business till they had sent to the Lacedaemonians again to be assured of their intention, saying that it was honour unto themselves and dishonour to the Lacedaemonians to have the war put off. For, for themselves, being in estate of prosperity, it was best to preserve their good fortune as long as they might; whereas to the other side, who were in evil estate, it should be in place of gain to put things as soon as they could to the hazard.

[2] So he persuaded them to send ambassadors, whereof himself was one, to require the Lacedaemonians, if they meant sincerely, to render Panactum standing, and also Amphipolis; and if the Boeotians would not accept of the peace, then to undo their league with them, according to the article that the one should not make league with any without the consent of the other.

[3] They willed him to say further that they themselves also, if they had had the will to do wrong, had ere this made a league with the Argives, who were present then at Athens for the same purpose.

[4] And whatsoever they had to accuse the Lacedaemonians of besides, they instructed Nicias in it and sent him and the other his fellow-ambassadors away. When they were arrived and had delivered what they had in charge, and this last of all, that the Athenians would make league with the Argives unless the Lacedaemonians would renounce their league with the Boeotians if the Boeotians accepted not the peace, the Lacedaemonians denied to renounce their league with the Boeotians; for 46enares, the ephore, and the rest of that faction carried it; but at the request of Nicias they renewed their former oath. For Nicias was afraid he should return with nothing done and be carped at (as after also it fell out) as author of the Lacedaemonian peace.

[5] At his return, when the Athenians understood that nothing was effected at Lacedaemon, they grew presently into choler; and apprehending injury (the Argives and their confederates being there present, brought in by Alcibiades), they made a peace and a league with them in these words:

[1] In the assembly held the next day, Nicias, in spite of the Lacedaemonians having been deceived themselves, and having allowed him to be deceived also in not admitting that they had come with full powers, still maintained that it was best to be friends with the Lacedaemonians, and, letting the Argive proposals stand over, to send once more to Lacedaemon and learn her intentions. The adjournment of the war could only increase their own prestige and injure that of their rivals; the excellent state of their affairs making it their interest to preserve this prosperity as long as possible, while those of Lacedaemon were so desperate that the sooner she could try her fortune again the better.

[2] He succeeded accordingly in persuading them to send ambassadors, himself being among the number, to invite the Lacedaemonians, if they were really sincere, to restore Panactum intact with Amphipolis , and to abandon their alliance with the Boeotians (unless they consented to accede to the treaty), agreeably to the stipulation which forbade either party to treat without the other.

[3] The ambassadors were also directed to say that the Athenians, had they wished to play false, might already have made alliance with the Argives, who were indeed come to Athens for that very purpose, and went off furnished with instructions as to any other complaints that the Athenians had to make.

[4] Having reached Lacedaemon they communicated their instructions, and concluded by telling the Lacedaemonians that unless they gave up their alliance with the Boeotians, in the event of their not acceding to the treaty, the Athenians for their part would ally themselves with the Argives and their friends. The Lacedaemonians, however, refused to give up the Boeotian alliance—the party of Xenares the Ephor, and such as shared their view, carrying the day upon this point—but renewed the oaths at the request of Nicias, who feared to return without having accomplished anything and to be disgraced; as was indeed his fate, he being held the author of the treaty with Lacedaemon .

[5] When he returned, and the Athenians heard that nothing had been done at Lacedaemon , they flew into a passion, and deciding that faith had not been kept with them, took advantage of the presence of the Argives and their allies, who had been introduced by Alcibiades, and made a treaty and alliance with them upon the terms following:—

Obgleich Nikias durch die den Lakedämoniern gegenüber
geglückte Finte, von dem Mangel der Vollmacht dürfe keine
Rede sein, selbst auch getäuscht worden war, sprach er sich in
der Versammlung am folgenden Tage trotzdem dafür aus, an
der Freundschaft mit den Lakedämoniern festzuhalten und auf
die Wünsche der Argeier vorläufig lieber nicht einzugehen.
Man möge vielmehr zunächst Gesandte an sie schicken, um sich
darüber zu vergewissern, worauf sie hinaus wollten^ Dabei
hob er hervor, daß es im Interesse der Athener, nicht aber
der Argeier läge, es noch nicht zum Kriege kommen zu lassen;
denn für Athen in seiner glücklichen Lage sei es erwünscht,
den jetzigen Zustand so lange wie möglich aufrechtzuerhalten,
den armen Argeiern aber werde ein baldiger Ausbruch des
Krieges wie gefunden kommen. Er bewog auch die Athener,
Gesandte an die Lakedämonier zu schicken, zu denen er selbst
auch gehörte, um sie aufzufordern, Panakton gehörig heraus­
zugeben und Amphipolis abzutreten, und wenn die Böotier
dem Frieden nicht beiträten, das Bündnis mit ihnen wieder
aufzulösen, da doch ausgemacht sei, daß keiner ohne den andern
Bündnisse schließen dürfe. Zugleich sollten sie ihnen zu ver­ ¹
stehen geben, daß auch sie, wären sie nicht so ehrlich gewesen,
längst ein Bündnis mit den Argeiern hätten schließen können,
die sich ja selbst zu dem Zweck bei ihnen eingefunden. Dies
alles und worüber man sich sonst noch beschweren zu können
glaubte, zur Sprache zu bringen, wurde Nikias denn auch
mit den übrigen Gesandten nach Lakedämon geschickt. Dort
angekommen, entledigten sie sich ihres Auftrags und erklärten
schließlich, wenn die Lakedämonier das Bündnis mit den Böotiern
nicht aufgäben, falls diese dem Frieden nicht beiträten, so
würde auch Athen ein Bündnis mit den Argeiern und deren
Bundesgenossen schließen. Die Lakedämonier erwiderten jedoch,
wie der Ephor Lenares mit seinen Anhängern und sonstigen
Gesinnungsgenossen das durchgesetzt hätte, sie würden das
Bündnis mit den Böotiern nicht aufgeben. Indessen verstanden
sie sich doch auf Nikias' Wunsch dazu, den Vertrag von neuem
zu beshcwören. Nikias fürchtete nämlich, daß er bei den Athenern
drunterdurch sein würde, wenn er mit leeren Händen zurück­
kehrte, und so kam es auch in der Tat, da man ihn als den
Urheber des Friedens mit den Lakedämoniern ansah. Als die
Athener nach seiner Rückkehr hörten, daß man in Lakedämon
nichts erreicht habe, waren sie empört und schlossen im Gefühl
der ihnen widerfahrenen Kränkung auf der Stelle mit den
noch anwesenden, von Alkibiades eingeführten Argeiern und
ihren Verbündeten Frieden und Bündnis, und zwar dahin:

XLVI. A l’assemblée suivante, Nicias, — tout abusé qu’il était par la déclaration des Lacédémoniens, qui s’étaient laissé abuser eux-mêmes jusqu’à nier leurs ¹ pleins pouvoirs,—n’en prétendit pas moins que l’amitié des Lacédémoniens devait être préférée; qu’il fallait suspendre les négociations avec Argos, et députer de nouveau à Lacédémone, pour savoir ce qu’on y pensait. Il disait qu’Athènes étant dans une situation glorieuse, et Lacédémone humiliée, il convenait de différer la guerre; que le mieux pour les Athéniens, dans l’état prospère où se trouvaient leurs affaires, était de conserver leur bonheur le plus longtemps possible; tandis que, pour les Lacédémoniens qui étaient malheureux, c’était une bonne fortune que de courir au plus tôt les hasards. Il obtint qu’on enverrait une députation, dont il fit partie, pour enjoindre aux Lacédémoniens, si leurs intentions étaient droites, de rendre Panacton en bon état, ainsi qu’Amphipolis, et de renoncer à l’alliance des Béotiens,— à moins que ceux-ci n’accédassent au traité, — conformément à la clause qui ne permettait pas de contracter les uns sans les autres. Les ambassadeurs avaient ordre d’ajouter que les Athéniens auraient pu déjà, eux aussi, s’ils avaient voulu manquer à leur parole, admettre à leur alliance les Argiens; car ceux-ci étaient à Athènes dans ce but. Enfin on donna à Nicias et à ses collègues des instructions sur tous les autres griefs, et on les fit partir.

A leur arrivée, ils firent connaître les divers objets de leur mission, et finirent par déclarer que, si les Lacédémoniens ne renonçaient pas à l’alliance des Béotiens, dans le cas où ceux-ci. n’accéderaient pas au traité, Athènes, de son côté, ferait alliance avec les Argiens et leurs amis. Les Lacédémoniens répondirent qu’ils ne renonceraient pas à l’alliance des Béotiens : cette décision fut emportée par l’influence de l’éphore Xénarès et de ceux qui partageaient son opinion. Cependant on renouvela les serments, à la demande de Nicias. Il craignait de partir sans avoir absolument rien fait, et d’être en butte aux récriminations, ce qui arriva en effet, d’autant plus qu’il passait pour l’auteur du traité. A son retour, les Athéniens, apprenant qu’il n’avait rien obtenu à Lacédémone, s'irritèrent; et tout aussitôt, se croyant lésés, ils conclurent avec les Argiens et leurs alliés, qui se trouvaient présents et qu’Alcibiade introduisit, un traité de pâix et d’alliance dont voici la teneur :

Dans la séance suivante, Nicias, malgré le piège où Ton avait fait tomber les Lacédémoniens et lui-même, en les engageant à taire leurs pleins pouvoirs, ne laissa pas d’insister pour qu’on s’en tînt à l’alliance de Lacédémone, qu’on suspendît les négociations avec Argos, èt qu’on envoyât aux Lacédémoniens une nouvelle ambassade pour s’assurer de leurs intentions. Il représenta que c’était un honneur pour Athènes et un abaissement pour Lacédémone d’éviter la guerre; que cette prospérité dont on jouissait présentement, il fallait la conserver le plus longtemps possible, tandis que les Lacédémoniens humiliés avaient tout intérêt à recommencer au plus tôt la lutte. Il obtint qu’on enverrait une députation, dont lui-même ferait partie, pour sommer les Lacédémoniens, si leurs intentions étaient droites, de rendre Panacton intact, ainsi qu’Amphipolis, et de renoncer à l'alliance des Béotiens, à moins que ceux-ci n’adhérassent au traité, qui interdisait toute alliance séparée. Les députés avaient ordre de dire que, si les Athéniens avaient voulu déroger à la justice, ils auraient pu, eux aussi, s’allier avec les Argiens, venus dans ce but à Athènes. Nicias et ses collègues reçurent des instructions sur. les autres points en litige et partirent.

A peine arrivés, ils firent connaître leur mandat et déclarèrent que, si les Lacédémoniens persistaient dans leur alliance avec les Béotiens et ceux-ci dans leur refus d’accéder au traité, les Athéniens à leur tour s’allieraient avec les Argiens et leurs amis. Les Lacédémoniens, influencés par l’éphore Xénarès et par ses adhérents, refusèrent de rompre avec les Béotiens ; toutefois, à la sollicitation de Nicias, ils consentirent à renouveler les serments. Nicias craignait, s’il revenait sans avoir absolument rien fait, d’être en butte aux reproches, comme il arriva en effet, d’autant plus que le traité passait pour être son ouvrage. A son retour, lorsque les Athéniens apprirent qu’on n’avait rien obtenu, ils entrèrent en courroux; et aussitôt se croyant lésés, ils conclurent avec les Argiens et leurs alliés, qui se trouvaient présents et qu’Alcibiade introduisit, un traité de paix et d’alliance dans les termes suivants :

[1] In the assembly on the next day, however, Nicias, although, as the Lacedaemonians had themselves been deceived, so he too had been deceived in the matter of their admission that they had not come with full powers, nevertheless still maintained that they ought to become friends with the Lacedaemonians rather than with the Argives; and accordingly he proposed that, deferring the question of the Argive alliance, they should again send envoys to the Lacedaemonians and find out what their intentions were. He urged the view that the postponement of hostile operations was honourable for themselves but humiliating for the Lacedaemonians; for as matters stood well for themselves, it was best to preserve their good fortune as long as possible, whereas for the Lacedaemonians, who were in hard luck, it would be clear gain to risk a decisive contest as quickly as possible.

[2] So he persuaded them to send envoys, himself being one, to urge the Lacedaemonians, if they had any just intentions, to restore Panactum intact and Amphipolis, and to give up the alliance with the Boeotians—unless these should accede to the treaty—in accordance with the stipulation which had been arrived at that neither should enter into an agreement with any third party without the consent of the other.

[3] The ambassadors were instructed also to say that, if the Athenians had wished to do wrong, they would already have made the Argives allies, as their envoys were present for that very purpose;

[4] and any other complaints which they had to make they included in their instructions to Nicias and his colleagues and then despatched them to Sparta. When these had arrived and had finished reciting their other demands, they said in conclusion that, unless the Lacedaemonians should give up the alliance with the Boeotians, in case these would not accede to the treaty, they themselves would make an alliance with the Argives and their confederates. But the Lacedaemonians refused to give up the alliance with the Boeotians— the party of Xenares the ephor and all the rest that were of that view carrying their point to this effect—but the oaths they renewed on Nicias' request; for he was afraid that he would return with nothing accomplished and be exposed to calumny, as indeed happened, since he was generally regarded as having been responsible for the treaty with the Lacedaemonians.

[5] On his return, when the Athenians heard that nothing had been done at Lacedaemon, they flew into a rage, and thinking they had been wronged, when Alcibiades brought in the Argives and their allies, who chanced to be present, they made an alliance with them on the following terms:

[1] In the one which was held next day, although the Lacedaemonians had been outwitted, and he himself utterly deceived with regard to their confessing not to have come with full powers, Nicias nevertheless maintained that they ought rather to become friends of the Lacedaemonians, and, deferring their measures with the Argives, to send once more to them, and ascertain their intentions. He ¹ represented that it was to their own honour, but to their rivals' discredit, for the war to be put off: for since their own affairs were in so good a condition, it was best to preserve their prosperity as long as possible; whereas to the Lacedaemonians, in their present misfortunes, it would be gain to run all hazards as quickly as possible.

[2] So he prevailed on them to send ambassadors, of whom he was himself one, to bid the Lacedaemonians, if they had any just intentions, to restore Panactum standing, with Amphipolis, and to give up their alliance with the Boeotians, if they refused to accede to the treaty; as it had been stipulated that they should make peace with none but by mutual consent.

[3] They told them also to say, that they too, if they had wished to act unjustly, might have already taken the Argives for their allies, since they were come to them for that very purpose.

[4] And whatever complaint they had against them, they gave instructions on the subject to Nicias and his colleagues, and then sent them off. When they came there, and, after delivering their other messages, finally declared, that unless they gave up their alliance with the Boeotians, in case of their not acceding to the treaty, the Athenians also would take as their allies the Argives and those who joined them; the Lacedaemonians refused to renounce the alliance with the Boeotians—the party of Xenares, the ephor, and all the rest who had the same views having sufficient influence to secure that,—but the oaths they renewed at the request of Nicias: for he was afraid of returning with all his objects unaccomplished, and of being exposed to censure, (as indeed was the case,) since he was considered as the author of the treaty with the Lacedaemonians.

[5] On his return, when the Athenians heard that nothing had been done at Lacedaemonian, immediately they were enraged; and since they considered themselves injured, the Argives and their allies happening to be present, (having been introduced by Alcibiades,) they made a treaty and alliance with them on the following terms:

[1] In concione vero, quae postridie convocata est, Niciae, quamvis ipsi Lacedaemonii decepti essent, ipse etiam deceptus de eo, quod negassent, se cum summa potestate venisse, tamen dixit oportere cum Lacedaemoniis potius societatem inire, et dilato Argivorum negotio, ad ipsos iterum mittere, et explorare, quid in animo haberent, docens hanc belli dilationem sibi quidem honestam, illis vero turpem fore; nam sibi quidem maxime expedire, Dorente jam republica fortunam hanc florentem quam diutissime conservare, illis vero in afflicta fortuna versantibus loco lucri fore, primo quoque tempore belli fortunam periclitari.

[2] Atque persuasit ut legatos mitterent, in quorum numero et ipse erat, qui juberent Lacedaemonios, si quid sinceri in animo haberent, Panactum erectum et Amphipolin restituere , et Boeotorum societatem missam facere, si fwdus accipere non vellent, quemadmodum cautum erat, ut neutri sine mutuo consensu cum ullo paciscerentur.

[3] Imperarunt etiam, ut dicerent, se quoque, si injuriam (acere voluissent, societatem cum Argivis jam fecere potuisse, quod Argivi hac ipsa de causa adessent. Et si quid iliod crimini dabant, omnia in mandatis dantes Niciam ejusque collegas dimiserunt.

[4] Atque hi postquam pervenerunt, et denuntiarunt quum cetera, tum eliam ad extremum dixerunt , si societatem cum Bceotis initam non dirimerent, donec quidem hi foederi accedere nollent, se quoque cum Argivis eorumque sociis societatem facturos, Lacedaemoni: responderunt, se societatem quidem cum Boeotis initam non dirempturos; Xenares enim ephorus et alii, quotquot ejusdem factionis erant, evincebant, ut haec fierent; foederis tamen jusjurandum Nicia rogante renovarunt; verebatur enim, ne rebus omnibus prorsus infectis abiret, ac male audiret, quod etiam accidit, quippe qui foederum cum Lacedaemoniis factorum auctor esse videretur.

[5] Reverso autem eo quum Athenienses audissent, nihil apud Lacedaemonios transactum esse, confestim indignari coeperunt, et injuriam sibi fieri putantes, cum Argivis eorumque sociis (aderant enim illi, ab Alcibiade introducti) hedera ac societatem fecerunt hanc.

Nell’ adunanza seguente Nicia, sebbene per b frode usata agli ambasciatori di Sparta fosse rimasto aneli’egli deluso (mentre essi avean negato d’aver piena autorità ), non pertanto disse doversi preferire l'amicizia coi Lacedemoni ; e sospendendo il trattato con gli Argivi spedire di nuovo a Sparta , per sentire come la pensavano. Faceva osservare che la dilazione della gnerra quanto tornava in acconcio per Atene, altrettanto noe conveniva a Sparta. Imperciocché trovandosi la loro Repubblica in florido stato, era ottimo consiglio conservare al più lungo la prosperità ; dove per Isparta oppressa da sciagure sarebbe guadagno tentare al più presto la guerra. Così persuase gli Ateniesi a mandarvi legati, ed egli era di quei numero, per intimare ai Lacedemoni, se volessero fare la giustizia, di restituire intero Panacto ed AmfipoH; di abbandonare la lega de’Beozii ove questi non accedano agli accordi conforme all’ articolo che dice : Nissuna delle due repubbliche dovere senza il consentimento dell'altra far convenzioni con chicchessia. Gl’ incaricano altresì di dichiarare ai Lacedemoni che se persistevano in quelle ingiustizie, si sarebbero essi pure subito fatti alleati gli Argivi ; mostrando che appunto a tale oggetto erano questi in Atene. Di più ! se altro rammarico avevano contro Sparta diedero di tutto le istruzioni ai loro legati Nicia e suoi compagni, e gli spedirono. I quali arrivati a Sparta esposero tutte le altre commissioni che avevano , e finirono con dire che se non abbandonassero la lega co’ Beozii, i quali non erano entrali nella tregua, anche Atene si sarebbe fatti alleati gli Argivi e gli altri con loro. I Lacedemoni prevalendo il sentimento di Xenara eforo e di tutti gli altri quanti erano del medesimo pensiero, risposero di non voler rinunziare all’alleanza coi Beozii; e rinnuovarono i giuramenti alle preghiere di Nicia, il quale temeva che partendo senza nulla concludere resterebbe screditato (lo che avvenne) siccome quegli che passava per promotore delle tregue con i Lacedemoni. Al suo ritorno sentendo gli Ateniesi nulla essersi ottenuto da Sparta montaron subito in ira ; e tenendosi ingiuriati, fecero a sommossa d’Alcibiade tregua e confederazione con gli Argivi e loro alleati che si trovavano presenti , in questo tenore :