Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 1.91

[1] Hearing this, they gave credit to Themistocles for the love they bore him; but when others coming thence averred plainly that the wall went up and that it was come to good height already, they could not then choose but believe it.

[2] Themistocles, when he saw this, wished them not to be led by reports, but rather to send thither some of their own, such as were honest men, and, having informed themselves, would relate the truth, which they also did.

[3] And Themistocles sendeth privily to the Athenians about the same men to take order for their stay with as little appearance of it as they could and not to dismiss them till their own ambassadors were returned (for by this time were arrived those that were joined with him, namely, Abronychus the son of Lysicles, and Aristides the son of Lysimachus, and brought him word that the wall was of a sufficient height);

[4] for he feared lest the Lacedaemonians, when they knew the truth, would refuse to let them go. The Athenians therefore kept there those ambassadors according as it was written to them to do. Themistocles, coming now to his audience before the Lacedaemonians, said plainly, that the city of Athens was already walled, and that sufficiently for the defence of those within, and that if it shall please the Lacedaemonians upon any occasion to send ambassadors unto them, they were to send thenceforward as to men that understood what conduced both to their own and also to the common good of all Greece.

[5] For when they thought it best to quit their city and put themselves into their galleys, he said, they were bold to do it without asking the advice of them;

[6] and in common counsel the advice of the Athenians was as good as the advice of them. And now at this time their opinion is that it will be best, both for themselves in particular and for all the confederates in common, that their city should be walled.

[7] For that in strength unequal men cannot alike and equally advise for the common benefit of Greece. Therefore, said he, either must all the confederate cities be unwalled, or you must not think amiss of what is done by us.

[1] At first the Lacedaemonians trusted the words of Themistocles, through their friendship for him; but when others arrived, all distinctly declaring that the work was going on and already attaining some elevation, they did not know how to disbelieve it.

[2] Aware of this, he told them that rumors are deceptive, and should not be trusted; they should send some reputable persons from Sparta to inspect, whose report might be trusted.

[3] They despatched them accordingly. Concerning these Themistocles secretly sent word to the Athenians to detain them as far as possible without putting them under open constraint, and not to let them go until they had themselves returned. For his colleagues had now joined him, Abronichus, son of Lysicles, and Aristides, son of Lysimachus, with the news that the wall was sufficiently advanced; and he feared that when the Lacedaemonians heard the facts, they might refuse to let them go.

[4] So the Athenians detained the envoys according to his message, and Themistocles had an audience with the Lacedaemonians, and at last openly told them that Athens was now fortified sufficiently to protect its inhabitants; that any embassy which the Lacedaemonians or their allies might wish to send to them, should in future proceed on the assumption that the people to whom they were going was able to distinguish both its own and the general interests.

[5] That when the Athenians thought fit to abandon their city and to embark in their ships, they ventured on that perilous step without consulting them; and that on the other hand, wherever they had deliberated with the Lacedaemonians, they had proved themselves to be in judgment second to none.

[6] That they now thought it fit that their city should have a wall, and that this would be more for the advantage of both the citizens of Athens and the Hellenic confederacy;

[7] for without equal military strength it was impossible to contribute equal or fair counsel to the common interest. It followed, he observed, either that all the members of the confederacy should be without walls, or that the present step should be considered a right one.

Jene horten das an und glaubten eS dem ThemistokleS zu
Gefallen; als aber Andere ankamen und für ganz gewiß erzählten, daß
die Mauer doch gebaut werde und schon eine ansehnliche Höhe ge-
winne, so konnten sie nicht mehr in Zweifel sein. Da Themistokles
dies erfuhr, so bat er sie, .sich doch nicht durch Gerüchte täuschen-zu
lassen, sondern lieber einige rechtschaffene Männer aus ihrer Mitte
abzuordnen, die zuverlässigen Bericht abstatten könnten über das, was
sie mit eigenen Augen.gesehen hätten. Solche sandten sieauch wirklich
ab; Themistokles aber ließ den Athenern heimlich die Weisung
zukommen, dieselben mit so wenig Aufsehen als möglich zurückzuhalten.und
sie nicht eher ziehen zu lassen, als bis sie selbst zurückgekehrt wären;
eS waren nämlich unterdessen auch seine Mitgesandten angekommen,
Habronichos, der Sohn des LyfikleS, und AristeideS, des Lysimachos
Sohn, und hatten ihm gemeldet, daß die Mauer schon hoch genug sei;
er fürchtete aber, die Lakedämonier möchten sie nicht mehr ziehen
lassen, wenn sie die Wahrheit erfahren hätten. Die Athener also hielten,
wie vorgeschrieben war, jene Gesandten zurück, und nun trat
ThemistokleS vor die Lakedämonier und erklärte frei und offen, ihre Stadt
sei jetzt befestigt und im Stande ihre Einwohner zu schirmen. Wenn
die Lakedämonier oder ihre Bundesgenossen künftig wieder einmal
Gesandte zu ihnen schicken wollten, so möchten sie bedenken,.daß sie zu
Leuten kämen, die recht wohl zu untershceiden wüßten, was ihr eigner
Vortheil und was das gemeinsame Wohl von Hellas erheische. Als
eS ihnen damals rathsamer geschienen habe, ihre Stadt zu verlassen
und die Schiffe zu besteigen, hätten sie diesen Entschluß ohne Zuthun
der Lakedämonier zu fassen und auszuführen gewagt, und so oft sie
sich später mit jenen gemeinsam berathen, hätten sie sich an Einsicht
Keinem nachstehend gezeigt. So ershceine es ihnen denn anch jetzt
rathsamer, daß ihre Stadt Mauern habe, und das werde sich auch für
die gesammten Bundesgenossen nicht weniger, als für die eigenen
Bürger, nutzbringender erweisen. ,Denn ohne daß die Einzelnen auf
gleicher Stufe der Verteidigungsfähigkeit stünden, sei eS nicht
möglich, in Bezug auf. das gemeinsame Beste ähnliche oder
übereinstimmende Beschlüsse zu fassen ^). Entweder durften alle Bundesgenossen
139) Politische« Hauptgeseh, an welchem schließlich jeder Bund ungleicher
Mächte Schiffbrnch leidet, zumal wenn die Bundesglieder aus sich eine ständige
berathende und beschließende BundeSbehörde cvnstituiren. Nur so lange irgend
ein Hauptinteresse, an welche« sich die Existenz selber knüpft, allen Gliedern
gemeinsam ist, kann ein solcher Bund unter thats.ichtich gleichem Recht für
keine Befestigungswerke haben, oder man müsse auch ihr jetziges
Verfahren gut heißen..

XCI. Quand on entendait Thémistocle, l’affection qu’on avait pour lui faisait accepter ses raisons. Mais, d’un autre côté, des personnes arrivant d’Athènes dénonçaient hautement que les fortifications se poursuivaient et que déjà la muraille gagnait en hauteur ; on n’avait aucun motif pour se refuser à les croire. Thémistocle, instruit de ces rapports, invita les Lacédémoniens à ne pas se laisser abuser par de vaines paroles, mais à députer plutôt quelques-uns des leurs, des hommes probes et véridiques, qui rapporteraient fidèlement ce qu’ils auraient vu. On les expédia. De son côté, il informa les Athéniens de cette députation par un avis secret, et leur recommanda de retenir les envoyés le moins ostensiblement possible, mais de ne pas les laisser aller avant qu’ils fussent eux-mêmes de retour ; car ses collègues, Abronichus, fils de Lysiclès, et Aristide, fils de Lysimaque, étaient enfin arrivés, lui annonçant que la muraille avait une hauteur suffisante. Il craignait que les Lacédémoniens, une fois instruits de la vérité, ne voulussent plus les laisser partir. Les Athéniens retinrent les envoyés, conformé- ment à ses prescriptions. Alors Thémistocle se présenta devant les Lacédémoniens ; il déclara qu’Athènes était entourée de murs et pouvait désormais pourvoir à la sûreté de ses habitants ; que si les Lacédémoniens ou leurs alliés voulaient y envoyer quelque ambassade, ils auraient à traiter maintenant avec des hommes connaissant et leurs propres intérêts et ceux de la Grèce ; que, quand ils avaient cru nécessaire d’abandonner leur ville et de monter sur leurs vaisseaux, ils avaient su prendre, sans les Lacédémoniens, cette au- dacieuse résolution ; qu’enfin, dans toutes les affaires où ils s’étaient consultés avec les Lacédémoniens, ils ne s’étaient montrés inférieurs à personne pour la sagesse des résolutions ; qu’il leur semblait utile actuellement de fortifier leur ville, et que l’intérêt des habitants était, en cela, d’accord avec celui de tous les alliés ; qu’en effet il était impossible, s’il n’y avait entre les parties contractantes parité de situation et de forces, qu’on prît de concert et sur le pied de l’égalité des mesures analogues dans l’intérêt commun. Il fallait donc, disait-il, ou qu’aucun des confédérés n’eût de fortifications, ou qu’on approuvât ce qu’avaient fait les Athéniens.

On croyait Thémistocle, parce qu’on avait pour lui de l’affection. Cependant il arrivait des gens qui annonçaient d’une manière positive qu’Athènes se fortifiait et que le mur prenait déjà de l’élévation; il n’y avait plus moyen d’en douter. Alors Thémistocle, s’apercevant de l’effet produit par ces nouvelles, conseilla aux Lacédémoniens de ne pas ajouter foi à de vaines rumeurs, mais d’envoyer quelques-uns de leurs concitoyens les plus considérés, qui feraient un rapport fidèle après avoir vu les choses par leurs yeux. On les fit donc partir. Thémistocle manda sous main aux Athéniens de retenir ces députés d'une manière aussi peu apparente que possible, jusqu’à ce que lui-même et ses collègues fussent de retour (ceux-ci l’avaient enfin rejoint et lui avaient appris que le mur était suffisamment élevé; c’étaient Abronychos fils de Lysiclès et Aristide fils de Lysimachos). Il craignait que les Lacédémoniens, une fois informés, ne les laissassent plus aller. Les Athéniens firent ce qu’il demandait. Alors Thémistocle leva le masque ; et, se présentant aux Lacédémoniens, il leur déclara sans détour qu’Athènes était fortifiée et désormais en état de protéger ses habitants; que si les Lacédémoniens et leurs alliés voulaient y envoyer une députation, ce devait être à l’avenir comme à des hommes qui connaissaient également leurs propres intérêts et ceux de la Grèce; qu’en effet, lorsqu’ils avaient jugé utile d’abandonner leur ville et de monter sur leurs vaisseaux, ils avaient su prendre à eux seuls cette résolution courageuse; et que, dans les délibérations communes, ils ne s'étaient montrés inférieurs en intelligence à personne. Si maintenant ils avaient trouvé bon de fortifier leur ville, c’était dans l’intérêt des alliés non moins que dans le leur ; çar il n’était pas possible, avec des positions inégales, d’apporter dans les discussions communes un esprit d'ensemble et d'égalité. Il fallait donc, ajoutait-il, ou que tous les alliés fussent dépourvus de murailles, ou qu’on approuvât ce qu’Athènes avait fait.

[1] And the Lacedaemonian magistrates were disposed to be content with this reply by reason of their friendship for Themistocles; but when everybody who came from Athens declared quite positively that the wall was going up and was already attaining height, they did not know how to discredit it.

[2] Themistocles, however, when he perceived this bade them not to be misled by reports, but rather to send some trustworthy men of their own number who would see for themselves and bring back a faithful report.

[3] They did so, and Themistocles sent word secretly to the Athenians to detain the envoys as covertly as possible and not to let them go until they themselves returned—for by this time his colleagues, Habronichus son of Lysicles and Aristides son of Lysimachus, had joined him, with the news that the wall was high enough—the reason for his precaution being that he was afraid the Lacedaemonians, when they heard the truth, would then refuse to let them go.

[4] Accordingly the Athenians detained the envoys as they were directed, and Themistocles, appearing before the Lacedaemonians, at length told them frankly that the city was now walled and therefore in a position to protect its inhabitants, and that if the Lacedaemonians or their allies cared to negotiate any matter with them they must hereafter come to them with the understanding that they were dealing with men who were fully aware of what was for their own and the general interest.

[5] For when they thought it best to abandon their city and embark on their ships, they had resolved, said the ambassadors, upon this bold step without the advice of the Lacedaemonians, and again in all matters in which the Athenans took counsel with the Lacedaemonians they had shown themselves inferior to none in judgment.

[6] Accordingly in the present instance also it seemed to them best that their city should have a wall, and that this course would be of great advantage both to themselves in particular, and to the whole body of the allies;

[7] for it was impossible for tlemn, he added, to have equal or similar weight in the general councils of the alliance except on the basis of a military strength that was a match for theirs. Therefore, he concluded, the members of the alliance should either dispense with their walls one and all, or regard this act of the Athenians as justified.

[1] When they heard this, they believed Themistocles through their friendship for him; but when every one else ¹ came and distinctly informed them that the walls were building, and already advancing to some height, they did not know how to discredit it.

[2] When he found this, he told them not to be led away by tales, but ratter to send men of their own body who were of good character, and would bring back a credible report after inspection.

[3] They despatched them therefore; and Themistocles secretly sent directions about them to the Athenians, to detain them, with as little appearance of it as possible, and not to let them go until they themselves had returned back; (for by this time his colleagues, Abronychus, the son of Lysicles, and Aristides, the son of Lysimachus, had also come to him with the news that the wall was sufficiently advanced;) for he was afraid that the Lacedaemonians, when they heard the truth, might not then let them go.

[4] So the Athenians detained the ambassadors, as was told them; and Themistocles, having come to an audience of the Lacedaemonians, then indeed told them plainly that their city was already walled, so as to be capable of defending its inhabitants; and if the Lacedaemonians or the allies wished to send any embassy to them, they should in future go as to men who could discern what were their own and the general interests.

[5] For when they thought it better to abandon their city and to go on board their ships, they said that they had made up their minds, and had the courage to do it, without consulting them; and again, on whatever matters they had deliberated with them, they had shown themselves inferior to none in judgment.

[6] And so at the present time, likewise, they thought it was better that their city should have a wall, and that it would be more expedient for their citizens in particular, as well as for the allies in general;

[7] for it was not possible for any one without equal resources to give any equal or fair advice for the common good. Either all therefore, he said, should join the confederacy without walls, or they should consider that the present case also was as it ought to be.

[1] Illi vero, cum haec audirent, Themistocli quidem fidem habebant, propter amicitiam, quae ipsis cum illo intercedebat; sed quum alii venirent, et aperte arguerent, muros aedificari, atque adeo jam sublimes esse, Iacere non poterant, quin crederent.

[2] Quod quum ille intellexisset, suasit ipsis, ne verbis se (alii paterentur, sed potius de suorum civium numero probitatis iideique spectatae viros mitterent, qui rem exploratam fideliter renuntiarent.

[3] Illi igitur bos miserunt. Themistocles vero Atheniensibus horum adventum per nuntios clam significavit, suadens, ut quam occultissime possent eos retinerent, neque dimitterent, ante quam ipsi redi issent; jam enim etiam college ejus ad ipsum venerant, Habronichus Lysiclis, et Aristides Lysimachi filius, murum jam salis altum esse nuntiantes; metuebat enim, ne Lacedaemonii, ubi rem plane rescivissent , se non amplius dimitterent.

[4] Itaque et Athenienses legatos retinuerunt, ut ipsis per nuntios erat significatum, et Themistocles quum ad Lacedaemoniorum magistratus ivisset, tunc demum aperte dixit, urbetn suam muris jam esse cinctam, ita ut cos, qui in ipsa habitarent, lutari pos- set; sed si Lacedaemonii, socii ve legationem aliqua de re ad se mittere velint, posthac venirent ut ad homines, qui bene dignoscerent, quid suorum, quid etiam communium commodorum ratio postularet.

[5] Quum enim visum esset , satius esse, urbem relinquere, et naves conscendere, re sine illorum consilio intellecta, haec se ausos diierunt. et quibuscunque de rebus tum cum illis consultarent, se consilio nullo iuferiores vidos esse.

[6] Sibi igitur nunc etiam videri, melius esse suam urbem moenibus esse cinctam, idque quum privatim singulis civibus, tum etiam publice universis sociis utilius fore;

[7] lieri enim non posse, ut qui non idem praesidium habeant, sh.ilia aut paria in commune consulant. Dicebat igitur aut omnes civi tales foederatas oportere sine muris esse, aut existimare, Iure quoque se recte habere.

[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.

In udendo ciò, per l' amicizia che avevano con Temistocle credevano alle parole di lui; nondimeno giunti alcuni altri, e ragguagliando chiaramente che le mura si edificavano, e che già erano di qualche altezza, non sapevano come non credervi. Temistocle accortosi di ciò li consiglia a non lasciarsi illudere da discorsi, ma spedire alcuni di loro, personaggi dabbene, i quali osservata la cosa, la riferissero fidatamente. Si spediscono. E Temistocle, rispetto a loro, manda celatamente avviso agli Ateuiesi ordinando li trattenessero nel modo il men vistoso, e non gli licenziassero, prima che egli ed i colleglli fossero ritornati : conciofossechò (venuti essendo a raggiungerlo Abronico figliolo di Lisicle, ed Aristide di Lisimaco compagni dell’ambasceria, colla nuova che le mura erano a buon termine) temeva che i Lacedemoni, avutone indubitabile ragguaglio non più gli lascerebbero partire. Gli Ateniesi adunque come era stato loro significato , intertennero i legati; e appunto allora Temistocle presentatosi ai Lacedemoni disse apertamente : « la città essere ornai fornita di mura a segno che poteva difendere gli abitanti : però se i Lacedemoni o i confederati volevano mandare qualche legazione ad Atene, lo facessero in avvenire cQme a gente che sa discemere il proprio ed il comune vantaggio ; perchè anche quando credettero espediente abbandonar la città e salir sulle navi, osarono farlo senza conferirne con loro ; nè esser mai per consiglio rimasti indietro ad alcuno in tutti gli aifari su i quali insieme con essi erano venuti a deliberare, Parer dunque meglior cosa anche adesso che la loro città abbia mura;-ciò esser per riuscire di maggior utilità non solo pei cittadini in particolare , ma per tutti i confederati. Infatti senza equilibrio di forze non esser possibile che nulla si deliberi in comune con eguaglianza di diritto. Pertanto, soggiungeva, o dover tutti i compresi nella lega restar senza mura, o trovar giusto anche il fatto presente ».