Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 6.69

[1] Nicias, having thus exhorted the army, led it presently to the charge. The Syracusians expected not to have fought at that instant; and the city being near, some of them were gone away; and some for haste came in running; and though late, yet every one, as he came, put himself in where was the greatest number. For they wanted neither willingness nor courage, either in this or any other battle, being no less valiant, so far forth as they had experience, than the Athenians; but the want of this made them, even against their wills, to abate also somewhat of their courage. Nevertheless though they thought not the Athenians would have begun the battle, and were thereby constrained to fight upon a sudden, yet they resumed their arms and came presently forward to the encounter.

[2] And first, the casters of stones and slingers and archers of either side skirmished in the midst between the armies, mutually chasing each other, as amongst the light-armed was not unlikely. After this, the soothsayers brought forth their sacrifices according to the law of the place; and the trumpets instigated the men of arms to the battle.

[3] And they came on to fight, the Syracusians for their country and their lives for the present, and for their liberty in the future; on the other side, the Athenians to win the country of another and make it their own and not to weaken their own by being vanquished; the Argives and other free confederates, to help the Athenians to conquer the country they came against and to return to their own with victory; and their subject confederates came also on with great courage, principally for their better safety, as desperate if they overcame not, and withal upon the by, that by helping the Athenians to subdue the country of another, their own subjection might be the easier.

[1] After this address Nicias at once led on the army. The Syracusans were not at that moment expecting an immediate engagement, and some had even gone away to the town, which was close by; these now ran up as hard as they could, and though behind time, took their places here or there in the main body as fast as they joined it. Want of zeal or daring was certainly not the fault of the Syracusans, either in this or the other battles, but although not inferior in courage, so far as their military science might carry them, when this failed them they were compelled to give up their resolution also. On the present occasion, although they had not supposed that the Athenians would begin the attack, and although constrained to stand upon their defence at short notice, they at once took up their arms and advanced to meet them.

[2] First, the stone-throwers, slingers, and archers of either army began skirmishing, and routed or were routed by one another, as might be expected between light troops; next, soothsayers brought forward the usual victims, and trumpeters urged on the heavy infantry to the charge;

[3] and thus they advanced, the Syracusans to fight for their country, and each individual for his safety that day and liberty hereafter; in the enemy's army, the Athenians to make another's country theirs and to save their own from suffering by their defeat; the Argives and independent allies to help them in getting what they came for, and to earn by victory another sight of the country they had left behind; while the subject allies owed most of their ardour to the desire of self-preservation, which they could only hope for if victorious; next to which, as a secondary motive, came the chance of serving on easier terms, after helping the Athenians to a fresh conquest.

Nach dieser seiner Ansprache führte Nikias das Heer
sogleich zum Angriff vor. Die Syrakuser hatten in dem
Augenblick noch nicht darauf gerechnet, daß es schon zur
Schlacht kommen würde, und da ihnen die Stadt so nahe
war, hatten sich manche dahin zurückbegeben. Die kamen
zwar in aller Eile herbeigelaufen, aber doch zu spät, und
schlossen sich nun aufs Geratewohl irgendeinem Truppenteile
an. Denn an gutem Willen und Mut fehlte es ihnen wahr­
lich nicht, weder hier noch in den späteren Gefechten. Aber
wenn sie auch an Tapferkeit, soweit ihre Kriegskunst reichte,
ihren Gegnern nicht nachstanden, so wurde doch dadurch, daß
eS ihnen hieran gebrach, ihre Schneidigkeit im Kampfe un­
willkürlich beeinträchtigt. Obwohl sie nicht geglaubt hatten,
daß die Athener zuerst angreifen würden, und sie nun Hals
über Kopf den Kampf mit ihnen aufnehmen müßten, so griffen
sie doch zu den Waffen und rückten sogleich gegen sie vor.
Beiderseits wurde das Gefecht zuerst von den Steinwerfern,
Schleuderern und Bogenschützen eröffnet und, wie es bei
leichten Truppen in der Regel geht, bald der eine, bald der
andere Teil zurückgeschlagen. Darauf aber brachten Wahr­
sager die üblichen Opfer, und Trompeter gaben dem schweren
Fußvolke das Zeichen zum Angriff. Und nun setzte sich dieses
in Bewegung, die Syrakuser zum Kampf fürs Vaterland,
jeder einzelne davon durchdrungen, in diesem Augenblick für
sein Leben und weiterhin für seine Freiheit zu fechten. Auf
Seite der Gegner war es den Athenern darum zu tun, das
fremde Land zu unterwerfen und ihr eigenes nicht durch den
Verlust der Schlacht zu gefährden, den Argeiern und den
unabhängigen Bundesgenossen aber, die Eroberungen, die
man hier machen wollte, mit den Athenern zu teilen und als
Sieger in ihr Vaterland heimzukehren. Die untertänigen
Bundesgenossen endlich ließen es schon deshalb nicht an sich
fehlen, weil sie im Fall einer Niederlage keine Aussicht hatten,
für diesmal mit dem Leben davonzukommen, nebenbei aber
auch in der Hoffnung, die Herrschaft der Athener werde sich
für sie künftig weniger drückend gestalten, wenn sie ihnen
geholfen hätten, neue Eroberungen zu machen.

LXIX. Nicias, après cette exhortation, engagea aussitôt l’action. Les Syracusains étaient loin de s’attendre que le combat dût commencer si tôt; quelques-uns même avaient profité du voisinage de la ville pour s’en retourner; quelque ardeur qu’ils missent à rejoindre, en courant, ils arrivaient tardivement, et chacun prenait rang au hasard, là où il trouvait un groupe déjà formé. Car ce ne fut ni l’ardeur ni l’audace qui leur manquèrent et dans ce combat et dans les autres; mais, égaux par le courage, tant que la science marchait de pair, ils se trouvaient, quand elle faisait défaut, trahir en dépit d’eux-mêmes leur bonne volonté. Cependant, quoique prévenus par cette attaque inattendue des Athéniens, forcés de se défendre à la hâte, ils prirent les armes et coururent aussitôt à l’ennemi. D’abord les soldats armés de pierres ¹ , les frondeurs et les archers préludèrent au combat de part et d’autre, et se mirent alternativement en fuite, comme il arrive d’ordinaire pour les troupes légères. Ensuite les devins amenèrent ² en tête de l’armée les victimes d’usage, et les trompettes donnèrent aux hoplites le signal de l’attaque. On s’ébranla; les Syracusains allaient combattre pour la patrie; chacun avait en vue son propre salut dans le moment, sa liberté dans l’avenir. Du côté opposé, c’étaient d’autres motifs : chez les Athéniens, le désir de s’approprier une terre étrangère et de ne pas compromettre leur propre pays par une défaite; chez les Argiens et les alliés indépendants, l’ambition de partager avec eux les conquêtes objet de leur expédition et de revoir victorieux leur patrie; enfin les alliés, sujets d’Athènes, étaient soutenus avant tout par la conviction que, vaincus, ils n’avaient aucun salut à attendre, et par cette pensée accessoire que peut-être, en aidant à l’asservissement des autres, le joug deviendrait moins pesant pour eux-mêmes.

Après cette exhortation, Nicias fit aussitôt avancer l’armée. Les Syracusains ne s’étaient pas-attendus à combattre si promptement ; quelques-uns même étaient allés à la ville, qui était proche. Quelque empressement qu’ils missent à revenir, ils arrivèrent tardivement et se placèrent au hasard, à mesure que chacun rejoignait. Dans cette action, comme dans toutes les autres, ils ne manquèrent ni de courage ni d’ardeur; ils se montrèrent braves autant que le comportait leur expérience ; mais quand elle leur fit défaut, ils furent contraints de quitter la partie, malgré toute leur bonne volonté. Quoique surpris par une attaque brusque et inopinée, ils ne laissèrent pas de prendre les armes et de marcher résolûment à l’ennemi. D’abord de part et d’autre, les soldats armés de pierres, les frondeurs et les archers préludèrent au combat et, comme il arrive aux troupes légères, se mirent en fuite alternativement. Ensuite les devins apportèrent les victimes d’usage, les trompettes des hoplites sonnèrent la charge, et les deux armées s’ébranlèrent à la fois. Les Syracusains se disaient qu’ils allaient combattre pour leur patrie, pour leur salut dans le présent, pour leur liberté dans l’avenir. Chez l’armée ennemie, c’étaient d’autres motifs : pour les Athéniens, le désir de conquérir un pays étranger et de ne pas exposer le leur par une défaite; pour les Argiens et les alliés indépendants, l’envie de partager les conquêtes qu’on allait faire et de retourner victorieux dans leurs foyers ; enfin les alliés sujets d’Athènes étaient soutenus par la pensée qu’il n’y avait de salut pour eux que dans la victoire, et qu’en aidant à subjuguer les autres ils allégeraient leur propre servitude-

[1] After such an exhortation Nicias straightway led on his army; but the Syracusans were not expecting to fight at just that moment, and some of them, as the city was near them, had even gone home; and these, though they came running to the lines as fast as they could, were late, and had to fall in wherever each one happened to reach the main body. For they were not lacking in zeal nor in daring either in this battle or in those which followed; nay, in bravery they were not inferior to their enemies, so far as they had experience, but through their lack of experience in spite of themselves they failed to do justice to their good intentions. Nevertheless, though they did not expect the Athenians to be the first to attack, and though they were forced to defend themselves in haste, they took up their arms at once and went against them.

[2] And at first the stone-throwers and slingers and bowmen skirmished, driving each other back, first one side and then the other, as light-armed troops would be likely to do. Afterwards the soothsayers brought forward the customary sacrifices and trumpeters stirred the hoplites to the charge.

[3] So they advanced—the Syracusans, to fight for fatherland and every man for his own present safety and future freedom; on the other side the Athenians, to fight for an alien land in order to win it for their own and to save their own land from the disaster of defeat; the Argives and those of the allies that were independent, to help the Athenians in securing the objects for which they had come, and having won victory to see again their own fatherland; the subject-allies, above all zealous for their own immediate safety, for which there was no hope unless they conquered, then also with the secondary motive that having helped the Athenians to overthrow another power they might find the terms of their own subjection milder.

[1] Nicias delivered this address, and immediately led on his troops. As for the Syracusans, they were not expecting to engage at present, and some of them, as their city was close at hand, had actually gone away to it; and these, although they went to the aid of their comrades in haste, and at a full run, were too late [to take their proper place in the ranks,] but posted themselves as each one came up to the main body. For in truth they were not deficient in zeal, or in daring, neither in this battle, nor in the others; but though not inferior in courage, so far as their military science served, yet in consequence of that failing them they reluctantly abandoned their resolution also. Although therefore, as I have said, they did not imagine that the Athenians would be the first to make an attack, and although they were compelled to defend themselves on a short warning, they took up their arms, and immediately advanced to meet them.

[2] And in the first place the stone-throwers, and slingers, and archers on each side began skirmishing, and successively routed each other, as light troops might be expected to do. Then there were priests bringing forward the usual victims for sacrifice, and trumpeters stirring on the heavy-armed to the charge.

[3] And so they advanced; the Syracusans, to fight for their country, and their own personal safety at present, and freedom in future;— the Athenians, on the side of their opponents, to fight for another people's land, that they might win it as their own; and to avoid weakening their own by defeat;—the Argives and the independent allies, to join them in securing the objects they had come for, and by means of victory to look again on the country that was already theirs;—while the subject allies showed a ready zeal, most of all, for their immediate safety, which was hopeless unless they conquered; then, as a secondary consideration, for the chance of serving on easier terms, in consequence of having assisted to reduce a fresh country under the Athenian dominion.

[1] Nicias tali adhortatione usus.copias confestim adversus hostem duxit; Syracusani vero tunc quidem noo exspectabant, sibi jam dimicandum esse; quinetiam eorum nonnulli in urbem, quae vicina erat, abierant; alii vero festinabundi ad suos adjuvandos accurrentes, tardius quidem perveniebant, verumtamen ut singuli ad aliquos exercitus ordines accedebant, in iis sese collocabant. Nam nec in isto proelio nec in aliis aut alacritate aut audacia hostibus inferiores fuerunt, sed virtute quidem non inferiores illis, quatenus rei militaris scientia suppeteret, quotiens haec deficeret , alacritatem etiam inviti prodebant. Verumtameo quum non opinarentur Athenienses priores contra se venturos et subito cogerentur se defendere, sumptis armis con-festim obviam prodierunt.

[2] Ac primo quidem utrimque exercitus velites, qui lapides manu jaculabantur, et funditores et sagittarii ante pugnabant, et alii alios in fugam vicissim vertebant, ut fere fit inter levis armaturae milites; deinde vero et vates proferebant hostias more receptas, et tubicines ad congressum milites incitabant;

[3] illi vero procedebant, Syracusani quidem, pro patria pugnaturi, et unusquisque in praesentia pro sua salute, et pro libertate in ppsterum, ex hostibus vero Athenienses quidem pro alieno solo ut proprium haberent, neve domesticum victi detrimento afficerent, Argivi vero et qui ex sociis liberi erant, ut et illos adjuvarent in quaerendis rebus illis, quarum causa venerant, utque suam quique patriam victores reviserent; qui vero cx sociis non sui juris erant, praecipue quidem animum alacrem liabebant propterea, quod in praesenti salus sperari non poterat, nisi vicissent, deinde vero obiter etiam, si forte, ubi etiam aliam quam gentem una cum Atbenieo* sibus subegissent, ipsis levior esset parendi necessitas.

Fatta questa esortazione Nicia fece avanzar subito il campo. I Siracusani non si aspettavano allora di dover tosto combattere, onde alcuni di loro erano rientrati nella vicina città, altri sebbene si affrettassero correndo di rinforzare i suoi, arrivarono tardi ; e ciascuno ponevasi dove incontrava un corpo più numeroso. E certamente nè in questa nè nelle altre battaglie mancavano di prontezza e di ardire ; che anzi in coraggio ci erano eguali fin dove giungeva la loro perìzia, ma a lor dispetto la volontà era tradita dalla mancanza di quella. Ciò non pertanto benché non si aspettassero che gli Ateniesi volessero essere i primi ad assalirli , e benché si trovassero a un tratto nella necessità di resistere, pigliavano le armi e prestamente venivano contro al nemico. Primi ad assaggiar la battaglia furono da ambe le parti i gittatori di pietre e i funditori e gli arcieri , e al solito delle truppe leggere fugavansi scambievolmente. Dipoi gli aruspici offrivano le vittime cerimoniali, e i trombettieri invitavano i soldati gravi al conflitto. Muovevano gli eserciti : da una parte i Siracusani per combattere per la patria, e ciascuno per la propria salvezza di presente , e per la libertà in avvenire: dall’altra , gli Ateniesi per far sua una terra straniera e per non nuocere , perdendo , alla patria ; e gli Argivi e i confederati indipendenti per aver parte con essi alle conquiste per cui erano là venuti, e per riveder vittoriosi la patria loro. Gli alleati poi che erano sudditi usavano di tutta la sollecitudine, sì perchè senza la vittoria vedevano disperata la presente loro salvezza, sì eziandio perchè cooperando con gli Ateniesi a nuove conquiste speravano per soprappiù da essi più discreto governo.