Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 4.124

[1] In the meantime Brasidas and Perdiccas, with joint forces, march into Lyncus against Arrhibaeus the second time. Perdiccas led with him the power of the Macedonians, his subjects, and such Grecian men of arms as dwelt among them. Brasidas, besides the Peloponnesians that were left him, led with him the Chalcideans, Acanthians, and the rest, according to the forces they could severally make. The whole number of the Grecian men of arms were about three thousand. The horsemen, both Macedonians and Chalcideans, somewhat less than a thousand; but the other rabble of barbarians was great.

[2] Being entered the territory of Arrhibaeus, and finding the Lyncesteans encamped in the field, they also sat down opposite to their camp.

[3] And the foot of each side being lodged upon a hill, and a plain lying betwixt them both, the horsemen ran down into the same, and a skirmish followed, first between the horse only of them both. But afterwards, the men of arms of the Lyncesteans coming down to aid their horse from the hill, and offering battle first, Brasidas and Perdiccas drew down their army likewise, and charging, put the Lyncesteans to flight; many of which being slain, the rest retired to the hill-top and lay still.

[4] After this they erected a trophy and stayed two or three days, expecting the Illyrians who were coming to Perdiccas upon hire; and Perdiccas meant afterwards to have gone on against the villages of Arrhibaeus one after another, and to have sitten still there no longer. But Brasidas, having his thoughts on Mende, lest if the Athenians came thither before his return it should receive some blow, seeing withal that the Illyrians came not, had no liking to do so, but rather to retire.

[1] Brasidas and Perdiccas started on a second joint expedition into Lyncus against Arrhabaeus; the latter with the forces of his Macedonian subjects, and a corps of heavy infantry composed of Hellenes domiciled in the country; the former with the Peloponnesians whom he still had with him and the Chalcidians, Acanthians, and the rest in such force as they were able. In all there were about three thousand Hellenic heavy infantry, accompanied by all the Macedonian cavalry with the Chalcidians, near one thousand strong, besides an immense crowd of barbarians.

[2] On entering the country of Arrhabaeus, they found the Lyncestians encamped awaiting them, and themselves took up a position opposite.

[3] The infantry on either side were upon a hill, with a plain between them, into which the horse of both armies first galloped down, and engaged a cavalry action. After this the Lyncestian heavy infantry advanced from their hill to join their cavalry and offered battle; upon which Brasidas and Perdiccas also came down to meet them, and engaged and routed them with heavy loss; the survivors taking refuge upon the heights and there remaining inactive.

[4] The victors now set up a trophy and waited two or three days for the Illyrian mercenaries who were to join Perdiccas. Perdiccas then wished to go on and attack the villages of Arrhabaeus, and to sit still no longer; but Brasidas, afraid that the Athenians might sail up during his absence, and of something happening to Mende, and seeing besides that the Illyrians did not appear, far from seconding this wish was anxious to return.

Unterdessen zogen Brasidas und PerdikkaS vereint zum
zweiten Mal nach Lynkos gegen den Arrhibäos. Der Eine führte
die Macht der Makedonier in's Feld, über die er herrschte, nebst
Schwerbewaffneten auS den dort wohnenden Hellenen: jener aber
außer den ihm übrig gebliebenen Peloponnesiern noch Chalkidier und
Akanthier und aus den übrigen Städten nach Verhältniß ihrer
Macht. Im Ganzen betrugen die schwerbewaffneten Truppen der
Hellenen ungefähr dreitausend; Reiter seitens der Makedonier und
Chalkidier zogen im Ganzen nahe an tausend Mann mit, und
außerdem ein zahlreicher Haufe Barbaren. Im Gebiet des Arrhibäos
eingedrungen fanden sie die Lynkester bereits zu ihrem Empfange
bereit im Feld stehen und schlugen selbst ihnen gegenüber ein Lager.
Von beiden Seiten hatten die Fußvölker Hügel besetzt, zwischen denen
eine Ebene lag. In diese ritt zuerst die Reiterei beider Theile hinab
und lieferte sich ein Reitertressen, und als dann zuerst die Lynkestischen
Schwerbewaffneten ihrer Reiterei nach vom Hügel herab eilten und sich
zum Gefecht bereit zeigten, führten auch Brasidas und Perdikkas ihnen
ihre Leute entgegen, stießen mit ihnen zusammen nnd trieben die Lyn-,
kester in die Flucht, von denen sie viele niederhieben; die Uebrigen
flüchteten auf die Anhöhen und verhielten sich dort ruhig. Danach
errichteten jene ein Siegeszeichen und blieben zwei oder drei Tage-
ruhig liegen, wartend auf die Jllyrier, welche, vom Perdikkas um
Sold gedungen, noch kommen sollten; daraus wollte Perdikkas gegen ¹
die Dörfer des Arrhibäos ziehen und nicht mehr unthätig sitzen
bleiben; Brasidas aber, der um Mende besorgt war, daß es, wenn die
Athener zur See dort früher erschienen, unterliegen möchte, bezeigte
dazu keine Lust, zumal auch die Illyrier nicht kamen, und wollte
lieber zurückziehen.

CXXIV. Brasidas et Perdicas firent alors de concert une seconde expédition à Lyncos contre Arrhibée. Perdiccas conduisait avec lui les forces de la Macédoine soumise à sa domination, et des hoplites fournis par les Grecs établis dans ses États ; Perdiccas avait, indé- pendamment des troupes péloponnésiennes disponibles, des Chalcidiens, des Acanthiens et les contingents dés autres villes, suivant leur importance. Il y avait en tout trois mille hoplites grecs. Venait ensuite toute la cavalerie macédonienne, unie à celle des Chalcidiens, et formant un peu moins de mille hommes ; sans compter une multitude de Barbares. Une fois entrés dans les États d’Arrhibée, ils trouvèrent les Lyncestes campés pour les attendre, et campèrent eux-mêmes en face de l’ennemi. De part et d’autre, l’infanterie occu- pait une colline ; une plaine les séparait : les cavaliers y descendirent des deux côtés, et ce fut entre eux que s’engagea d’abord le combat. Mais bientôt on vit les hoplites des Lyncestes descendre les premiers de la colline au secours de leur cavalerie et s’apprêter à combattre ; Brasidas et Perdiccas se portèrent alors à leur rencontre, en vinrent aux mains et les mirent en fuite. Beaucoup furent tués ; le reste se réfugia sur les hauteurs et s’y tint en repos. Après l’action, les vainqueurs dressèrent un trophée et restèrent deux ou trois jours à attendre les Illyriens à la solde de Perdiccas, qui devaient venir le rejoindre. Perdiccas voulait marcher contre les bourgades d’Arrhibée, au lieu de rester dans l’inaction. Mais Brasidas, inquiet pour Mende, et redoutant pour elle quelque malheur, si les Athéniens abordaient avant son retour, goûtait peu ce projet, surtout les Illyriens ne paraissant pas ; il songeait plutôt à la retraite.

Pendant ce temps, Brasidas et Perdiccas réunirent leurs forces pour faire une nouvelle expédition contre Arrhi-béos, roi des Lyncestes. Perdiccas menait avec lui les troupes de ses Etats de Macédoine, ainsi que des hoplites tirés des villes grecques de ce pays. Brasidas, indépendamment du reste de l’armée péloponésienne ¹ , avait encore des Chalcidéens, des Acanthiens, et les renforts que les autres villes lui avaient fournis. Les hoplites greps formaient un corps d’environ trois mille hommes ; les cavaliers macédoniens et chalcidéens réunis étaient un peu moins de mille, sans compter une foule de Barbares. Parvenus sur les terres d’Arrhibéos, ils trouvèrent les Lyncestes campés pour les attendre ; eux-mêmes s’établirent en face de l’ennemi. De part et d’autre, l’infanterie occupait une colline; une plaine s’étendait au milieu. Les cavaliers des deux armées y descendirent et entamèrent l’action. Ensuite i les hoplites des Lyncestes s’avancèrent les premiers de la colline; et, réunis à leur cavalerie, ils s’apprêtèrent au combat. Brasidas et Perdiccas marchèrent à leur rencontre, et l’engagement devint général. Les Lyncestes furent mis en déroute, un grand nombre taillés en pièces ; le reste se réfugia sur les hauteurs et s’y tint en repos. Après cette action, les vainqueurs dressèrent un trophée et attendirent deux ou trois jours l’arrivée des Illyriens mercenaires qui devaient venir renforcer Perdiccas. Celui-ci voulait qu’on marchât sur les villages d’Arriii-béos, au lieu de rester dans l’inaction ; mais Brasidas, craignit que Mende ne fût trop exposée si les Athéniens y abordaient avant son retour, et ne voyant point venir les Illyriens, se souciait peu de rester davantage et songeait plutôt à la retraite.

[1] Brasidas and Perdiccas meanwhile marched together a second time ¹ to Lyncus against Arrhabaeus. The latter led the force of the Macedonians, over whom he held sway, and a body of Hellenic hoplites resident among them; the former led not only the Peloponnesian troops which were left in the country, but also such forces from Chalcidice, Acanthus and the other towns as they could each furnish. The total Hellenic force was about three thousand; the cavalry that went with them, Macedonians and Chalcidians, were all told a little less than one thousand, and there was besides a great multitude of barbarians.

[2] Invading the country of Arrhabaeus and finding the Lyncestians encamped against them, they also took up a position facing them.

[3] The infantry occupied a hill on either side, with a plain between, while the cavalry of both armies at first galloped down into the plain and engaged in battle; then Brasidas and Perdiccas, after the Lyncestian hoplites had come forward from the hill in conjunction with their own cavalry and were ready to fight, advanced also in their turn and joined battle, routing the Lyncestians and destroying many, while the rest escaped to the high places and kept quiet.

[4] After this they set up a trophy and halted for two or three days, awaiting the Illyrians, who had been hired by Perdiccas and were momentarily expected. Then Perdiccas wished, on their arrival, to go forward against the villages of Arrhabaeus instead of sitting idle; but Brasidas was solicitous about Mende, fearing that it might suffer some harm if the Athenians should sail there before his return; and, besides, the Illyrians had not appeared, so that he was not eager to go on, but rather to retreat.

[1] Brasidas and Perdiccas meanwhile made an expedition together the second time into Lyncus, against Arrhibaeus; taking with them, the latter, the forces of the Macedonians under his dominion, and some heavy-armed troops of the Greeks living amongst them; the former, in addition to those of the Peloponnesians whom he had still left, the Chalcidians, Acanthians, and of the rest according to their respective strength. In all, the heavy-armed Greeks amounted to about three thousand; all the cavalry of the Macedonians with the Chalcidians went with them, amounting to nearly a thousand, and a large multitude of the barbarians besides. Having:

[2] invaded the country of Arrhibaeus, and finding the Lyncestians encamped in the field against them, they also took up a position opposite to them.

[3] The infantry occupying a hill on each side, and the space between being a plain, the horse of both armies, in the first place, galloped down into it, and engaged in a cavalry action. Then the Lyncestian heavy-armed having advanced first from their hill with their cavalry, and being ready for action, Brasidas and Perdiccas also, in their turn, led their forces against them, and engaged in battle, and routed the Lyncestians, and killed many of them; but the rest took refuge on the heights, and there remained quiet.

[4] After thin, having erected a trophy, they waited two or three days, in expectation of the Illyrians, who were to join Perdiccas as mercenaries. Then Perdiccas wished to advance against the villages of Arrhibaeus, and not to sit still; but Brasidas was anxious for Mende, lest if the Athenians should sail against it before his return, it should meet with some disaster; and; as the Illyrians, moreover, had not joined them, he was not eager to advance, but rather to retreat.

[1] Brasidas vero et Perdiccas interea copiis conjunctis bellum Arrhibaeo rursus ad Lyncum intulerunt. Et ducebant hic quidem copias Macedonum, quibus imperabat, et Graecorum in Macedonia habitantium milites, ille vero praeter Peloponnesiorum quos illic reliquos habebat, Chalcidenses et Acanthios et ex aliis populis pro cujusque facultate. Universarum autem Graecamm copiarum gravis armaturae erant fere tria millia, equites vero universi, qui sequebantur, Macedonum cum Chalcidensibus erant paulo minus mille, et barbarorum alia manus permulta.

[2] Quum autem in Arrhibaei regionem irrupissent, et Lyncestas castra sibi opposita habentes invenissent, ipsi quoque, castra illis opposita fecerunt.

[3] Et quum pedites quidem | utrinque collem haberent et medium spacium planum esset,

I equites huc decurrentes, utrinque primum equestre proelium commiserunt, deinde Tero et Brasidas et Petdieeas, quum Lyncestarum gravis armaturae milites cum equitibus ex suo colle priores processissent, et ad pnrliuro committendum essent parati, et ipsi vicissim suis copiis adversus eos productis conflixerunt et Lyncestas fugarunt, et multos quidem interfecerunt, ceteri vero in editiora loca fuga perlapsi quiescebant.

[4] Postea vero erecto tropico bidunm tri-duumve substiterunt opperientes Illyrios, qui a Perdicca mercede conducti tum forte venturi erant; deinde Perdiccas adversus Arrhibaci pagos progredi, neque desidere volebat, Brasidas vero de lVfende solicitus, ne si prius Athenienses infesta classe iUuc appulissent, aliquam cladem acciperet, et simul quod Illyrii non adessent, non ad progrediendum, sed ad regrediendum potius erat animo paratus.

Intanto Brasida e Perdicca per la seconda volta uniscono in Lineo le loro armi contro il re Arribeo. Questi conduceva le forze di Macedonia cui imperava, ed i soldati gravi de' Greci che vi si erano stanziati : quegli poi, oltre ai Peloponnesi che gli erano lì rimasti f conduceva i Calcidesi e gli Acantii, ed altri secondo la possibilità di ciascuno. Insomma tutto l' esercito era composto di tremila Greci di grave armatura, cui tenevan dietro forse mille cavalli tra de' Macedoni e dei Calcidesi, e inoltre gran moltitudine di barbari. Assaltarono gli stati di Arribeo , ma avendovi trovati i Lincesti già accampati per far fronte, presero anch’ essi il campo in faccia a loro. Le genti da piè stavano ferme ai due lati sulle colline, nel mezzo era una pianura ove scesi i cavalli dei due eserciti attaccarono battaglia i primi. Dipoi avanzatasi la prima dal colle la fanteria grave de’ Lincesti per sostenere la sua cavalleria, e mostrandosi disposta a battagliare , Brasida e Perdicca si fecero innanzi anch’essi. Qui vennero alle prese , fugarono i Lincesti, ne uccisero gran parte , e gli altri scamparono sulle alture , ove si tennero fermi. Dopo questo, eretto un trofeo vi si trattennero due o tre giorni per aspettare gl' Illirici che dovevano venire al soldo di Perdicca, il quale senza altro indugio voleva marciare contro le castella d'Arribeo. Ma Brasida, cui stava a cuore che Mende non patisse qualche cosa se prima di lui ti arrivassero gli Ateniesi, non inclinava a questo ma piuttosto a ritirarsi, tanto più che gl9 Illirici non si vedevano comparire.