Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.60

[1] This these Argives said of themselves, without the command of the generality. And Agis, of himself likewise, accepting their proposition without deliberation, had with the major part, and having communicated it only to some one or more of those that had charge in the army, made truce with them for four months, in which space they were to perform the things agreed upon betwixt them; and then presently he withdrew his army without giving account to any of the rest of the league why he did so.

[2] The Lacedaemonians and the confederates followed Agis, according to the law, as being their general, but among themselves taxed him exceedingly; for that having a very fair occasion of battle, the Argives being inclosed on all sides both by their horse and foot, he yet went his way doing nothing worthy the great preparation they had made.

[3] For this was, in very truth, the fairest army that ever the Grecians had in the field unto this day. But it was most to be seen when they were all together in the forest of Nemea, where the Lacedaemonians were with their whole forces, besides the Arcadians, Boeotians, Corinthians, Sicyonians, Pellenians, Phliasians, and Megareans; and these all chosen men of their several cities and such as were thought a match not only for the league of the Argives but for such another added to it.

[4] The army, thus offended with Agis, departed, and were dissolved every man to his home.

[5] The Argives were much more offended with those of their city, which without the consent of the multitude had made the truce, they also supposing that the Lacedaemonians had escaped their hands in such an advantage as they never had the like before, in that the battle was to have been fought under the city walls and with the assistance of many and good confederates.

[6] And in their return they began to stone Thrasyllus at the Charadrum, the place where the soldiers, before they enter into the city from warfare, use to have their military causes heard. But he, flying to the altar, saved himself; nevertheless they confiscated his goods.

[1] The Argives who made these statements did so upon their own authority, not by order of the people, and Agis on his accepted their proposals, and without himself either consulting the majority, simply communicated the matter to a single individual, one of the high officers accompanying the expedition, and granted the Argives a truce for four months, in which to fulfil their promises; after which he immediately led off the army without giving any explanation to any of the other allies.

[2] The Lacedaemonians and allies followed their general out of respect for the law, but amongst themselves loudly blamed Agis for going away from so fair a field (the enemy being hemmed in on every side by infantry and cavalry) without having done anything worthy of their strength.

[3] Indeed this was by far the finest Hellenic army ever yet brought together; and it should have been seen while it was still united at Nemea , with the Lacedaemonians in full force, the Arcadians, Boeotians, Corinthians, Sicyonians, Pellenians, Phliasians and Megarians, and all these the flower of their respective populations, thinking themselves a match not merely for the Argive confederacy, but for another such added to it.

[4] The army thus retired blaming Agis, and returned every man to his home.

[5] The Argives however blamed still more loudly the persons who had concluded the truce without consulting the people, themselves thinking that they had let escape with the Lacedaemonians an opportunity such as they should never see again; as the struggle would have been under the walls of their city, and by the side of many and brave allies.

[6] On their return accordingly they began to stone Thrasylus in the bed of the Charadrus, where they try all military causes before entering the city. Thrasylus fled to the altar, and so saved his life; his property however they confiscated.

Die beiden Argeier handelten dabei freilich nicht im Auf­
trage der Gesamtheit, sondern lediglich auf eigene Hand. Agis
aber ging darauf seinerseits ein, ohne sich mit den übrigen
zu benehmen, machte nur einem einzigen der im Heere an­
wesenden Beamten davon Mitteilung und schloß mit ihnen
einen Waffenstillstand auf vier Monate, innerhalb welcher sie
ihre Zusage erfüllen sollten. Gleich darauf zog er mit dem
Heere ab, ohne einem der Bundesgenossen ein Wort zu sagen.
Die Lakedämonier und ihre Bundesgenossen fügten sich zwar
pflichtschuldig seinem Befehl, schalten aber unters sich um so
mehr auf ihn: Hier wäre doch die schönste Gelegenheit ge­
wesen, dem durch Reiterei und Fußvolk von allen Seiten um­
stellten Feinde eine Schlacht zu liefern, und nun so abzuziehen
und nichts erreicht zu haben, was ein solches Aufgebot von
Kräften verlohnt hätte! Und wirklich war in Griechenland
noch nie ein schöneres Heer beisammen gewesen. Man konnte
das recht sehen, als es bei Nemea noch vollständig vereinigt
war. Da waren die Lakedämonier mit ihrem ganzen Heer­
bann, die Arkadier, Böotier, Korinther, Sikyoner, Pellener,
Phliasier und Megarer, alles auserlesene Truppen, die es
offenbar nicht nur mit den Argeiern und ihren Verbündeten,
sondern noch mit einem weit zahlreicheren Feinde hätten auf­
nehmen können. So trat denn das Heer unter Verwünshcungen
gegen Agis den Rückzug an, löste sich auf, und alles ging
nach Hause. Noch übler aber waren die Argeier auf ihre
beiden Landsleute zu sprechen, die auf eigene Hand den
Waffenstillstand geschlossen hatten; denn auch sie glaubten, die
Lakedämonier seien ihnen bei der schönsten Gelegenheit durch
die Lappen gegangen, wo man sie hier vor den Toren der
Hauptstadt mit so viel tapferen Bundesgenossen vereint vor
der Klinge gehabt. Auf dem Rückwege am Charadrosbache,
wo sie nach einem Feldzuge noch außerhalb der Stadt Kriegs­
recht zu halten pflegen, wollten sie Thrasyllos sogar steinigen;
er flüchtete sich jedoch an den Altar und kam mit dem Leben
davon; sein Vermögen aber wurde eingezogen.

LX. Ceux des Argiens qui faisaient ces propositions parlaient en leur nom propre et sans aucune mission publique. Agis les accepta, également de sa propre autorité : sans aucune délibération générale, sans les communiquer à d’autres qu’à un des magistrats qui l’accompagnaient dans son expédition ¹ , il conclut une trêve de quatre mois, pendant laquelle les Argiens devaient exécuter leurs promesses. Aussitôt après il ramena son armée, sans rien dire à aucun des alliés. Les Lacédémoniens et les alliés obéirent aux ordres d’Agis, conformément à la loi ² ; mais, entre eux, ils le critiquèrent amèrement, en songeant qu’au moment même où s’offrait une si belle occasion de combattre, quand l’ennemi était enveloppé de toutes parts par la cavalerie et l’infanterie, ils se retiraient sans avoir rien fait qui répondît à leurs préparatifs. C’était, en effet, la ^{3 4} plus belle armée grecque qui eût été rassemblée jusquelà : rien de plus brillant, surtout à Némée, quand elle s’y trouvait réunie tout entière. Là étaient les Lacédémoniens avec toutes leurs forces, les Arcadiens, les Béotiens, les Corinthiens, les Sicyoniens, les Pelléniens, les Phliasiens et les Mégariens; toutes troupes d’élite et qui semblaient capables de se mesurer, non-seulement avec la confédération des Argiens, mais avec bien d’autres forces encore réunies aux leurs. L’armée se retira donc, tout en accusant Agis; on se sépara, et chacun regagna son pays.

Les Argiens, de leur côté, accusaient bien plus amèrement encore ceux qui avaient traité sans l’aveu de la multitude : ils pensaient, eux aussi, que jamais plus belle occasion ne s’était présentée à eux que celle où les Lacédémoniens venaient de leur échapper; car ils auraient combattu au pied de leurs murailles, avec l’assistance d’alliés nombreux et braves. Aussi, à leur retour, se mirent-ils à lapider Thrasyllos dans le Charadron ⁵ , là où ils jugent, avant de rentrer, les délits militaires. Thrasyllos se réfugia au pied de l’autel, et échappa à la mort; mais ses biens furent confisqués ⁶ .

Les Argiens qui faisaient cette démarche agissaient de leur chef et sans aucune mission publique. Agis goûta leurs propositions; et seul, sans en délibérer plus amplement, sans en dire mot à personne , si ce n'est à l'un des magistrats qui étaient au camp, il conclut une trêve de quatre mois, pendant laquelle les Argiens devaient accomplir leurs promesses; après quoi il ramena aussitôt l’armée, avant d’avoir pris l’avis d'aucun autre de ses compagnons.

Les Lacédémoniens et leurs alliés obéirent par déférence pour la loi ; mais entre eux il n'y avait qu’un cri contre Agis. On avait, disaient-ils, une occasion unique de livrer bataille; l’ennemi était complètement cerné, soit par la cavalerie, soit par l'infanterie ; et l’on se retirait sans avoir rien fait qui répondît aux forces dont on disposait. Jamais en effet plus belle armée grecque n’avait été réunie; on put s'en convaincre lorsqu’elle fut rassemblée à Némée. C’étaient les Lacédémoniens en masse, les Arcadiens, les Béotiens, les Corinthiens, les Sicyoniens, les Pelléniens , les Phliasiens, les Mégariens, tous gens choisis, l'élite de leurs nations, et qui semblaient faits pour tenir tête, je ne dis pas à la coalition d’Argos, mais à une force double. Ainsi l’armée se retira fort mécontente d’Agis. Elle fut licenciée, et chacun regagna ses foyers.

Les Argiens étaient encore plus irrités contre ceux qui, traitant sans l’aveu de la multitude, leur avaient fait manquer la plus belle occasion qui pût jamais se présenter, et avaient fait échapper les Lacédémoniens : en effet, ils allaient combattre sons les murs de leur ville, avec l’assistance d’alliés braves et nombreux. Aussi, à leur retour, se mirent-ils en devoir de lapider Thrasyllos dans le Charadron ¹ , endroit où. ils jugent, avant de rentrer, les délits militaires. Thrasyllos se réfugia sur l’autel et échappa ainsi à la mort ; mais ses biens furent confisqués.

[1] Those of the Argives who said these things spoke on their own authority and not by order of the people; and Agis, receiving the proposals for himself alone, not conferring with the majority, and without any deliberation on his own part further than to communicate the matter to a single one of the magistrates who accompanied the expedition, made a truce with the Argives for four months, within which time they were to fulfil their agreement.

[2] And so he led off his army at once, without explanation to any of the allies. The Lacedaemonians and their allies followed his guidance out of respect for the law, but among themselves they loudly blamed Agis, considering that when there was opportunity for them to join battle under favourable conditions, and the Argives were cut off on all sides both by cavalry and infantry, they were going back home without doing anything worthy of their preparations.

[3] For this was indeed the finest Hellenic force that had come together up to that time; and this was seen especially while it was still united at Nemea, including the Lacedaemonians in full force, the Arcadians, Boeotians, Corinthians, Sicyonians, Pellenians, Phliasians, and Megarians, all of them picked men from each nation, who felt themselves to be a match, not for the Argive confederacy only, but even for another such force in addition.

[4] The army, then, thus blaming Agis, withdrew and dispersed severally to their homes.

[5] But the Argives also on their part held in far greater blame those who had made the truce without consulting the people, as they too thought that the Lacedaemonians had escaped, though circumstances could never be more favourable for themselves; for the contest would have been near their own city and in concert with numerous and brave allies.

[6] And so on their return they began to stone Thrasyllus in the bed of the Charadrus, ¹ where before they enter the city all causes are tried that arise from an expedition. But he fled for refuge to the altar and was saved; his property however was confiscated.

[1] Those of the Argives who made these statements did so on their own authority, and not by order of the people; and Agis on his own discretion received their proposals; and without consulting, any more than they had, with the majority, but only communicating them to one of the officers who joined the expedition, granted a truce for four months, during which they were to fulfil their agreement. And so he immediately led back the army, without explaining the matter to any of the other confederates.

[2] The Lacedaemonians and allies followed, indeed, as he led them, out of respect for the law; but amongst each other they blamed him exceedingly, considering that when they had had an opportunity of fighting on favourable terms, and their enemies were hemmed in on all sides, both by infantry and cavalry, they were returning without having achieved any thing worthy of their preparations.

[3] For indeed this was the finest Grecian army that had ever been brought together up to that time; and it appeared such especially while it was still all united at Nemea. consisting of the Lacedaemonians in full force, the Arcadians. Boeotians, Corinthians, Sicyonians, Pellenians, Phliasians, and Megareans; and those, too, all picked men from their respective populations, and thinking themselves a match, not only for the Argive confederacy, but even for another such added to it.

[4] Thus then the army, finding great fault with Agis, withdrew, and dispersed to their several homes.

[5] But the Argives, on their side, blamed far more severely still those who had concluded the truce without consulting the people; as they too thought that the Lacedaemonians had escaped when they never could have had a finer opportunity of destroying them; since the contest would have been decided near their own city, and in concert with many brave allies.

[6] On their return therefore they began to stone Thrasyllus in the bed of the Charadrus, where they try all causes that may arise from any expedition, before they enter the city. He escaped by flying for refuge to the altar; his property, however, was confiscated by them.

[1] Atque hi quidem Argivi sua sponte, non autem populi jussu haec dixerunt; et Agis quum has conditiones accepisset ipse, et non cum pluribus ne ipse quidem consul-tasset, sed cum uno tantum, qui inter illius militiae socios praeturam gerebat, has communicasset, quatuor mensium firdus cum iis fecit, intra quos oportebat eos ea conficere, quae dixerant. Atque exercitum confestim abduxit, nulli ceterorum sociorum re declarata.

[2] Lacedaemonii vero sociique sequebantur quidem propter legem, prout ducebat, sed tamen inter se graviter eum incusabant, quod, quum sibi opportune cecidisset, ut possent confligere hostibus undique et ab equitatu et peditatu circumventis, tamen nulla re gesta tanto apparatu digna se discedere putarent.

[3] Hic enim Graecorum exercitus omnium, qui ad eam usque diem exstitissent, pulcherrimus convenerat; maxime autem spectatus est, donec adhuc totus in Nemea erat, quo tempore et Lacedaemonii cum universis copiis aderant cl Arcades et Boeoti et Corinthii et Sicyonii et Pellenenses et Phliasii et Megarenses, atque hi omnes ex singulis delecti, qui non solum Argivis eorumque sociis, sed et aliis praeterea copiis, quae se ipsis adjunxissent, virtute pares esse videbantur.

[4] Hic igitur exercitus sic Agidi succensens abiit et diversi in suam quique patriam se receperunt;

[5] Argivi vero et ipsi multo etiam magis succensebant illis, qui populi injussu fiedus fecerant, existimantes illi quoque Lacedaemonios evasisse, ea occasione sibi oblata, qua nullam aliam commodiorem sibi unquam oblatum iri putabant; nam et prope suam urbem et cum multis lorlibusque sociis certamen futurum fuisse.

[6] Itaque reversi Thrasyllum.apud Clia-radrum, quo in loco antequam urbem ingrediuntur, de causis militaribus judicant, lapidare ccrperunt. Ille vero ad aram confugiens evasit; bona tamen, ejus publicaverunt. ·

Essi però parlarono in tal modo di suo f senza U commissione del popolo. Agide da sé solo accettate le proposte, non stette neanch’egli a deliberare coi più ; ma conferita la cosa con uno degli ufficiali dell’esercito pattuì tregua per quattro mesi, infra i quali gli Argivi manderebbero ad effetto la promessa ; e subito levò il campo senza fiatarne con veruno de’ confederati. I Lacedemoni e gli alleati lo seguivano per riguardo alla legge, perocché egli era \l duce. Ma tra sé gl’ imputavano a grave mancanza che presentatasi loro bella occasione di battaglia, ed accerchiato il nemico per ogni lato da cavalli e fanti, dovessero ritirarsi, non fatta impresa alcuna degna di tanto apparecchio. E veramente questo esercito greco fu bellissimo oltre ogni altro che fino allora si fosse riunito, e bellissimo fu a vedere sinché stette accolto in Nemea, ove trovavansi ì Lacedemoni con tutte le forze loro , e gli Arcadi e i Beozii e i Corintii e i Sicionesi e i Pellenesi e i

Fliasii e i Megaresi, tutte genti scelte da ciascun Comune , che si credevano abili a stare a petto non solamente della lega argiva , ma ancora di chiunqu’altro vi si aggiungesse. Cotanto adunque indispettito l’esercito contro Agide, retrocedeva e poi si sciolse, tornando ciascuno alla sua patria. E dal canto loro gli Argivi molto più tenevano per colpevoli coloro che senza la saputa del popolo avevano pattuita la tregua ; stimando essi pure che i Lacedemoni fossero loro fuggiti di mano, quando si era presentata una occasione sì bella ; imperocché il combattimento sarebbe accaduto presso la loro città, e col braccio di molti e valorosi alleati. Però nella ritirata presero a lapidare Trasillo nel Caradro , ove prima di entrare in città sogliono giudicare le cause militari. Ed egli ricovratosi a piè dell’altare potè salvarsi ; nondimeno però pubblicarono i beni di lui.