Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 2.100

[1] The Macedonians, unable to stand in the field against so huge an army, retired all within their strongholds and walled towns, as many as the country afforded,

[2] which were not many then, but were built afterwards by Archelaus the son of Perdiccas when he came to the kingdom, who then also laid out the highways straight and took order both for matter of war, as horses and arms and for other provision, better than all the other eight kings that were before him. The Thracian army, arising from Doberus, invaded that territory first which had been the principality of Philip and took Eidomene by force;

[3] but Gortynia, Atalanta, and some other towns he had yielded to him for the love of Amyntas the son of Philip, who was then in the army. They also assaulted Europus but could not take it. Then they went on further into Macedonia on the part that lies on the right hand of Pella and Cyrrhus;

[4] but within these into Bottiaea and Pieria they entered not but wasted Mygdonia, Crestonia, and Anthemus. Now the Macedonians had never any intention to make head against them with their foot;

[5] but sending out their horsemen, which they had procured from their allies of the higher Macedonia, they assaulted the Thracian army in such places where, few against many, they thought they might do it with most convenience. And where they charged, none was able to resist them, being both good horsemen and well armed with breastplates; but enclosed by the multitude of the enemies, they fought against manifest odds of number so that in the end they gave it over, esteeming themselves too weak to hazard battle against so many.

[1] These Macedonians, unable to take the field against so numerous an invader, shut themselves up in such strong places and fortresses as the country possessed.

[2] Of these there was no great number, most of those now found in the country having been erected subsequently by Archelaus, the son of Perdiccas, on his accession, who also cut straight roads, and otherwise put the kingdom on a better footing as regards horses, heavy infantry, and other war material than had been done by all the eight kings that preceded him.

[3] Advancing from Doberus, the Thracian host first invaded what had been once Philip's government, and took Idomene by assault, Gortynia, Atalanta, and some other places by negotiation, these last coming over for love of Philip's son, Amyntas, then with Sitalces. Laying siege to Europus , and failing to take it,

[4] he next advanced into the rest of Macedonia to the left of Pella and Cyrrhus, not proceeding beyond this into Bottia and Pieria , but staying to lay waste Mygdonia, Crestonia, and Anthemus.

[5] The Macedonians never even thought of meeting him with infantry; but the Thracian host was, as opportunity offered, attacked by handfuls of their horse, which had been reinforced from their allies in the interior. Armed with cuirasses, and excellent horsemen, wherever these charged they overthrew all before them, but ran considerable risk in entangling themselves in the masses of the enemy, and so finally desisted from these efforts, deciding that they were not strong enough to venture against numbers so superior.

Diese Makedonier nun waren nicht im Stande, sich der
heranrückenden großen Heeresmacht entgegenzustellen, und zogen sich
deshalb in die Burgen und festen Plätze zurück, so viele deren im
Lande waren. Ihre Zahl war aber nicht gar groß, sondern erst
später hat Archelaos, des Perdikkas Sohn, nachdem er König
geworden, die jetzigen Festungen im Lande gebaut, grade Straßen
angelegt und die sonstigen, das Kriegswesen fördernden Maßregeln
getroffen, wie er denn in Verbesserung der Reiterei, der Bewaffnung
und der Ausrüstung überhaupt mehr gethan hat als alle acht Könige ¹
vor ihm. — Das Heer der Thraker nun fiel aus Doberos zuerst in
die Landschaften ein, welche früher die Herrschaft des Philippos
gebildet hatten, und nahmen Eidomene mit Gewalt; Gortynia aber
und Atalante und einige andere Plätze ergaben sich aus Zuneigung
zu dem mitziehenden Amyntas, dem Sohne des Philippos, durch
gütlichen Vergleich. Europos belagerten sie, konnten es aber nicht
nehmen. Darauf drangen sie weiter in das übrige Makedonien vor,
welches links von Pella und Kyrrhos sich erstreckt; diesseits dieser
Plätze aber, nach Bottiäa und Pieria kamen sie nicht, sondern
verheerten nur Mygdonia, Grestonia und Anthemus. Die Makedonier
konnten gar nicht daran denken, ihnen Fußvolk entgegenzustellen,
sondern nahmen Reiter von ihren binnenländischen Bundesgenossen,
die bei guter Gelegenheit in geringer Zahl in den großen Heerhaufen
der Thraker einbrachen, und wo sie anstürmten, konnte den tapferen
Panzerreitern Nichts widerstehen; da sie aber umringt werden
konnten, so geriethen sie dem vielfach überlegenen Haufen gegenüber oft
in große Gefahr, so daß sie endlich Ruhe gaben, weil sie sich nicht
stark genug glaubten, den Kampf mit der Mehrzahl zu wagen.

C. Les Macédoniens, incapables de résister à l'invasion de cette formidable armée, se retirèrent dans les lieux fortifiés par la nature et dans toutes les places fortes du pays : elles étaient alors en petit nombre ; ce n’est que plus tard qu’Archélaüs, fils de Perdiccas, par- venu à la royauté, bâtit celles qui existent maintenant. Il traça des routes directes, porta l’ordre dans les autres services, se préoccupa de l'organisation militaire, des chevaux, des armes, et fit plus à lui seul pour les autres branches de l'administration que les huit rois ses prédécesseurs ensemble ¹ .

De Dobères, l'armée des Thraces pénétra d’abord dans la contrée qui formait primitivement le royaume de Philippe. Elle prit de vive force Idomène, et par capitulation Gortynia, Atalante ² et quelques autres places qui se soumirent par affection pour Amyntas, fils de Philippe, présent à l’armée. Après avoir assiégé sans succès Europos, elle pénétra dans le reste de la Macédoine, à gauche de Pella et de Cyrrhos ³ ; et, laissant de côté les contrées en deçà de ces places ⁴ , la Bottiée et la Piérie, elle alla ravager la Mygdonie, la Grestonie et l’Anthémoüs. Les Macédoniens ne songèrent même pas à opposer leur infanterie ; ils tirèrent de la cavalerie de chez leurs alliés de l'intérieur, et, malgré leur infériorité numérique, attaquèrent les Thraces partout où ils trouvèrent l’occasion favorable. Habiles cavaliers, couverts de cuirasses, là où ils donnaient leur choc était irrésistible ; mais, cernés par un ennemi supérieur, engagés au milieu de masses sans nombre, ils se trouvaient souvent compromis ; aussi finirent-ils par renoncer à agir, se croyant hors d’état de rien entreprendre contre des forces trop disproportionnées.

A l’approche d’une armée si formidable, les Macédoniens, désespérant de pouvoir tenir tête en rase campagne, se retirèrent dans les lieux de difficile accès et dans toutes les places fortes du pays. Ces places étaient rares ; ce fut plus tard seulement qu’Àrchélaos fils de Perdiccas, parvenu à la royauté, fit construire les forteresses aujourd’hui existantes, perça des routes droites et perfectionna toutes les branches du service public, en particulier ce qui tient à l’organisation militaire. Il amassa plus de chevaux, d’armes et de munitions de toute espèce que n’avaient fait, à eux tous, les huit rois ses prédécesseurs ¹ .

De Dobéros, les Thraces entrèrent d’abord dans Tancien royaume de Philippe et prirent Idomène de vive force. Gprty-nie, Atalante et quelques autres places firent leur soumission par attachement au fils de Philippe , Amyntas, qui se trouvait présent. Ils assiégèrent inutilement Europos ; ensuite ils pénétrèrent dans le reste de la Macédoine, à gauche de Pella et de Cyrrhos. Ils ne poussèrent pas jusqu’à la Bottiée et à laPiérie; mais ils saccagèrent la Mygdonie, la Grestonie et Anthémonte. Les Macédoniens ne songèrent pas même à se défendre avec leur infanterie ; mais ils firent venir de la cavalerie de cher leurs alliés de l’intérieur ; et, malgré leur infériorité numérique, ils attaquaient les Thraces toutes les fois que ceux-ci donnaient prise. Rien ne résistait au choc de ces cavaliers habiles et cuirassés; mais, enveloppés par des masses profondes, ils couraient parfois de grands dangers. Aussi finirent-ils par rentrer dans l'inaction, ne àe croyant pas en état de lutter contre des forces si disproportionnées.

[1] The Macedonians of this region, unable to defend themselves against so great an invading army, betook themselves to the strong places and fortresses that were in the country. These were not many;

[2] but subsequently Archelaus son of Perdiccas, when he became king, ¹ built those that are now in the country, and cut straight roads, and in general organized his country for war by providing cavalry, arms and other equipment beyond anything achieved by all the eight kings who preceded him. But the Thracian army, advancing from Doberus, invaded first the province which before had belonged to Philip, and took Idomene by storm;

[3] but Gortynia, Atalanta, and some other places capitulated voluntarily out of friendship for Amyntas son of Philip, who accompanied Sitalces; moreover they laid siege to Europus, but were unable to take it. Next they advanced into the other part of Macedonia, which is to the west of Pella and Cyrrhus.

[4] Beyond these places, however, into Bottiaea and Pieria, they did not penetrate, but ravaged Mygdonia, Grestonia, and Anthemus. The Macedonians, on the other hand, did not even think of defending themselves with infantry, but calling upon their allies in the interior for additional cavalry, though few against many, they dashed in among the Thracian army wherever they chose.

[5] And wherever they charged no one could withstand them, for they were good horsemen and protected by cuirasses; but since they were constantly being hemmed in by superior numbers and found themselves imperilled by the horde that was many times their own number, they finally desisted, thinking that they were not strong enough to fight with the larger force.

[1] These Macedonians, then, on the approach of so large an enemy, not being able to offer any resistance, betook themselves to their strong-holds and fortifications, such as they had in the country. These, however, were not numerous;

[2] but it was at a later period that Archelaus son of Perdiccas, when he came to the throne, built those which are now in the country, and cut straight roads, and made other arrangements, both for its having horses and arms for war, and resources of all other kinds, better than had been provided by all the rest of the kings, eight in number, who had preceded him.

[3] Now the army of the Thracians, advancing from Doberus, overran first of all what had once been the government of Philip; and took Idomene by storm, and Gortynia, Atalanta, and some other places by capitulation, as they came over to him from their friendship for Amyntas, Philip's son, who was with him. To Europus they laid siege, but could not reduce it. Afterwards he advanced into the rest of Mace- Ionia, on the left of Pella and Cyrrhus.

[4] Beyond these they did not march, namely, into Bottiaea and Pieria, but stayed to lay waste Mygdonia, Crestonia, and Anthemus. The Macedonians, meanwhile, had not even a thought of resisting them with their infantry;

[5] but having sent for an additional supply of horse from their allies in the interior, attacked the Thracian host, few as they were against so many, wherever an opportunity offered. And wherever they charged them, no one stood his ground against troops who were excellent horsemen and armed with breastplates; but surrounded as they were by superior numbers, they exposed themselves to peril by fighting against that crowd of many times their own number: so that at length they kept quiet, not thinking themselves able to run such hazards against a force so far superior.

[1] Atque Macedones quidem hi, quum ingens exercitus appropinquaret, quod ei resistere non possent, se receperunt in loca natura firma et opere munita, quae in eo agro erant.

[2] Horum autem non magnus erat numerus, sed postea Archelaus Perdiccae filius, regno potitus, ea, quae nunc in ea regione exstant, aedificavit et vias rectas secuit et quum alia digessit tura etiara rem militarem equis et armis et reliquo apparatu longe melius quam ceteri omnes octo reges, qui eum antecesserant.

[3] Exercitus vero Thracum Dobero profectus primum quidem irrupit in regnum, quod Philippi prius erat, et Idomenen quidem per vim cepit, Gortyniam vero et Atalantam et alia quaedam oppida in deditionem ac fidem recepit, quae se ipsi adjunxerunt ob amicitiam Amyntae, Philippi filii, qui ibi aderat. Europum autem oppugnarunt quidem, sed expugnare non poterant.

[4] Deinde vero et in reliquam Macedoniam processit, quae a Pella Cyrrhoque ad sinistram jacet. Atque intra haec in Bottiaeam et Pieriam non intrarunt, sed Mygdoniam et Grestoniam et Anthemuntem diripiebant.

[5] Macedones vero peditatu ne cogitabant quidem resistere, sed accito equitatu a sociis, qui loca mediterranea incolebant, ubi videbatur commodum, pauci multos adorti, in ipsum Thracum exercitum impetu ferebantur.

[6] Et qua impressionem faciebant, nullus illorum, utpote equitum egregiorum et loricatorum, impetum sustinebat; sed hostium multitudine circumventi, in discrimen se conjiciebant propter eorum multitudinem longe numerosiorem; quare tandem quiescere coeperunt, quod existimarent, se longe majori militum numero sine periculo resistere non posse.

[1] So biete ich denn, obschon ich, wie anfangs gesagt, den mächtigsten Staat vertrete, der eher zum Angriff als zur Abwehr berufen erscheint, in Erwägung der Folgen die Hand zum Nachgeben. Warum auch in thörichter Rachsucht sich selber den grössten Schaden zufügen oder in der Verblendung der Leidenschaft hinsichtlich des Schicksals, dem man nicht gebieten kann, sich ebenso als eigenen Herren dünken, wie in seinen eigenen Entschliessungen, und nicht lieber der Billigkeit sich fügen? Folget nun auch ihr meinem Beispiel, eh' ihr euch dazu vor dem Feinde, nicht mehr vor Landsleuten bequemen müsst. Denn das ist keine Schande, dem eigenen Volksgenossen sich zu fügen, nicht blos der Dorier dem Dorier, oder der Chalcidenser seinem Stammverwandten, sondern wir alle als Nachbarn, als Bewohner der einen, von der Natur umgrenzten Heimat, als Träger des gemeinsamen Namens Sikelioten. Unsere Kriege, wenn es sein soll, müssen wir fortan für uns allein führen, oder auch sie beilegen, wie es uns gemeinsam recht dünkt, wider den Fremdling aber, wenn er kommt, in vernünftiger Eintracht zusammenhalten, so gewiss die Niederlage der Einzelnen dem Ganzen Gefahr bringt; Bundesgenossen aber oder Schiedsrichter sollen nie mehr ins Land gerufen werden. Bei diesem Verfahren werden wir für jetzt Sicilien der frohen Aussicht nicht berauben, der Athener und des Bürgerkrieges mit einemmale los zu werden, und in Zukunft in unabhängiger Freiheit und vom Ausland weniger behelligt darin wohnen.

Or questi Macedoni, per la impossibilità di resistere al numeroso esercito che li assaliva, si ritirarono ai luoghi forti di situazione, e nelle poche castella del paese. Perocché quelle che ora vi si veggono le edificò poi Archelao figliolo di Perdicca, giunto !ohe fu ad esser re : aperse e dirizzò strade, ordinò accòqciamente tutte le altre cose , e particolarmente la milizia , fornendola di cavalleria e di fanteria grave e di ogni altro corredo, meglio che tutti insieme gli altri òtlo re prima di lui. L5 esercito dei Traci partendo da Dobero, assaltò primieramente gli stati antichi di Filippo , espugnò Edomene, ed ebbe per dedizione Gortinia, Atalanta ed alcuni altri castelli, i quali si resero, atteso l’amicizia avevano per Aminta figliolo di Filippo che si trovava nell' esercito. Assediarono anche Europo, ma non poterono prenderla: allora si avanzarono nel resto della Macedonia su la sinistra di Pella e di Grro; ma al di qua di queste due città non arrivarono nè alla Bottica nè alla Piena t anzi davano loro resistenza colla fanteria : ma colle genti a cavallo chiamate dagli alleati dell’interno, benché poche di fronte a molti, dove giudicassero opportuno correvano addosso all’esercito dei Traci, e dovunque gli attaccassero, nessuno sosteneva l’impeto (l' uomini a cavallo valorosi ed armati di lorica. Laonde, comecché accerchiati dalla moltitudine , osavano mettersi a repentaglio con oste tanto più numerosa di loro : ma da ultimo si rimasero anche da ciò , reputandosi inabili a cimentarsi contro forze si esorbitanti.