Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 1.125

[1] The Lacedaemonians, when they had heard the opinion of them all, brought the balls to all the confederates present in order, from the greatest state to the least; and the greatest part gave their votes for the war.

[2] Now after the war was decreed, though it were impossible for them to go in hand with it presently because they were unprovided and every state thought good without delay severally to furnish themselves of what was necessary, yet there passed not fully a year in this preparation before Attica was invaded and the war openly on foot.

[1] The Lacedaemonians having now heard all give their opinion, took the vote of all the allied states present in order, great and small alike; and the majority voted for war.

[2] This decided, it was still impossible for them to commence at once, from their want of preparation; but it was resolved that the means requisite were to be procured by the different states, and that there was to be no delay. And indeed, in spite of the time occupied with the necessary arrangements, less than a year elapsed before Attica was invaded, and the war openly begun.

So sprachen die Korinther. Die Lakedämonier aber,
nachdem sie Aller Meinung angehört hatten, forderten allen
Bundesgenossen, so viele ihrer da waren, gleichviel ob aus größeren oder
kleinen Staaten, der Reihe nach ihre Stimme ab, und es fand sich, daß
die Mehrzahl für den Krieg stimmte. Den Beschluß allsogleich
auszuführen war aber unmöglich, da es an der Vorbereitung fehlte; doch
beschlossen sie, daß jeder Staat das Erforderliche ausbringen und
Niemand sich säumig zeigen solle, und so verfloß unter den nöthigen
Zurüstungen in der That kein volles Jahr, bis si§ in Attika einfielen
und den Krieg offen begannen.

CXXV. Lorsque tous eurent donné leur avis, les Lacédémoniens firent voter sucessivement tous les alliés présents, les délégués des petites villes comme ceux des grandes. La majorité se prononça pour la guerre. Cette décision prise, il n’y avait pas moyen d’agir surle-champ, aucune disposition n’étant faite : on arrêta donc que chacun ferait ses préparatifs en toute hâte ; moins d’une année fut employée à prendre les mesures nécessaires, jusqu’au jour où l’Attique fat envahie et la guerre ouvertement déclarée.

Ainsi parlèrent les Corinthiens. Quand tous les alliés eurent dit ce qu’ils avaient à dire, les Lacédémoniens prirent successivement l'avis de chacun des assistants, quelle que fût l’importance de la ville qu’il représentait. La grande majorité fut pour la guerre. Cette résolution arrêtée, il n’était pas possible de l'exécuter sur-le-champ, car rien n’était prêt encore. Chaque État dut se mettre en mesure dans le plus bref délai, toutefois une année n’était pas révolue, que les préparatifs se trouvèrent terminés, l’Attique envahie et les hostilités commencées.

[1] Thus spoke the Corinthians. And the Lacedaemonians when they had heard the opinions of all, put the vote in succession to all the allied states which were present, both great and small; and the majority voted for war.

[2] But though the decision was made it was impossible for them to take up arms at once, as they were unprepared; it was determined, however, that the several states should make the fitting preparations and that there should be no delay. Nevertheless, in providing themselves with what was needed there was spent, not indeed a full year, but somewhat less, before they invaded Attica and took up the war openly.

[1] The Lacedaemonians, after they had heard from all what they thought, put the question to the vote of all the allies who were present in succession, both to greater and smaller states alike: and the majority voted for war.

[2] But though they had resolved on it, it was impossible to take it in hand immediately, as they were unprepared; but it was determined that suitable means should be provided by the several states, and that there should be no delay. A year, however, did not pass while they were settling all that was necessary, but less, before they invaded Attica, and openly proceeded to the war.

[1] Lacedaemonii vero, auditis omnium sententiis, omnibus sociis, qui aderant, ordine, majori pariter et minori civitati, suffragii ferendi potestatem fecerunt; et majbr illorum pars bellum gerendum esse decrevit.

[2] Quamvis autem illi hoc apud se constituissent, statim tamen bellum suscipere non poterant quod erant imparati, sed singuli res, quae forent utiles, parandas, nec ullam moram interponendam censuerunt. Verumtamen in hoc rerum necessariarum apparatu non integer annus est consumptus, sed minus, antequam in Atticam irrumperent et bellum apei le susciperent.

[1] Diesen Grundsätzen, die wir von unsern Vätern überkommen und selber stets bewährt erfunden haben, lasst uns nicht ungetreu werden und nicht binnen weniger Stunden über so viel Menschenleben und Eigenthum, über Staatenglück und Ehre einen übereilten Beschluss fassen, sondern uns Zeit nehmen. Wir haben den Vortheil der Macht, um nichts zu versäumen. Nach Athen also sendet wegen Potidäas und wegen der Beschwerden der Bundesgenossen, besonders da sie eine gerichtliche Entscheidung nicht ablehnen. Wer diese anbietet, den hat man kein Recht als bereits Verurtheilten anzugreifen. Aber zugleich rüstet euch auch zum Kriege. Dies ist das Beste, was ihr beschliessen könnt, und wird bei dem Feind am meisten Eindruck machen.

I Lacedemoni udito il parere di tutti proposero il partito a quanti alleati erano presenti, incominciando per ordine dalla più potente (ino alla più piccola città. La maggior parte dei voti furono per la guerra: ma nonostante che avessero così decretato, non potendo, sprovveduti com’ erano , intraprenderla subito, risolsero che ciascuno allestisse prontamente il bisognevole; pure consumarono quasi un anno nell' ordinare il necessario apparecchio , prima di invader l’Attica e muovere apertamente la guerra.