Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 4.14

[1] The Athenians, understanding this, came in violently upon them at both the mouths of the haven, and most of the Lacedaemonian galleys, which were already set out and opposed them, they charged and put to flight; and in following the chase, which was but short, they brake many of them and took five, whereof one with all her men in her; and they fell in also with them that fled to the shore. And the galleys which were but in manning out were torn and rent before they could put off from the land. Others they tied to their own galleys and towed them away empty.

[2] Which the Lacedaemonians perceiving, and extremely grieved with the loss, because their fellows were hereby intercepted in the island, came in with their aid [from the land], and entering armed into the sea took hold of the galleys with their hands to have pulled them back again, every one conceiving the business to proceed the worse wherein himself was not present.

[3] So there arose a great affray about the galleys, and such as was contrary to the manner of them both. For the Lacedaemonians, out of eagerness and out of fear, did (as one may say) nothing else but make a sea-fight from the land; and the Athenians, who had the victory and desired to extend their present fortune to the utmost, made a land-fight from their galleys.

[4] But at length, having wearied and wounded each other, they fell asunder; and the Lacedaemonians recovered all their galleys, save only those which were taken at the first onset.

[5] When they were on both sides retired to their camps, the Athenians erected a trophy, delivered to the enemy their dead, and possessed the wreck, and immediately went round the island with their galleys, keeping watch upon it as having intercepted the men within it. The Peloponnesians, in the meantime, that were in the continent and were by this time assembled there with their succours from all parts of Peloponnesus, remained upon the place at Pylus.

[1] Perceiving this, the Athenians advanced against them by each inlet, and falling on the enemy's fleet, most of which was by this time afloat and in line, at once put it to flight, and giving chase as far as the short distance allowed, disabled a good many vessels, and took five, one with its crew on board; dashing in at the rest that had taken refuge on shore, and battering some that were still being manned, before they could put out, and lashing on to their own ships and towing off empty others whose crews had fled.

[2] At this sight the Lacedaemonians, maddened by a disaster which cut off their men on the island, rushed to the rescue, and going into the sea with their heavy armour, laid hold of the ships and tried to drag them back, each man thinking that success depended on his individual exertions.

[3] Great was the melee, and quite in contradiction to the naval tactics usual to the two combatants; the Lacedaemonians in their excitement and dismay being actually engaged in a sea-fight on land, while the victorious Athenians, in their eagerness to push their success as far as possible, were carrying on a land-fight from their ships.

[4] After great exertions and numerous wounds on both sides they separated, the Lacedaemonians saving their empty ships, except those first taken;

[5] and both parties returning to their camp, the Athenians set up a trophy, gave back the dead, secured the wrecks, and at once began to cruise round and jealously watch the island, with its intercepted garrison, while the Peloponnesians on the mainland, whose contingents had now all come up, stayed where they were before Pylos .

Als die Athener dieß merkten, so ruderten sie durch beide
Einfahrten herein auf sie los, und da die Mehrzahl der Schiffe schon
auf der Höhe des Hafens und zum Gefecht bereit war, so fielen sie
dieselben an und jagten sie in die Flucht und beschädigten auf der
Verfolgung viele, wie es bei den geringen Entfernungen nicht anders
möglich war; fünf aber nahmen sie und darunter eines mit der ganzen
Mannschaft. Die übrigen, die sich auf das Land geflüchtet hatten,
griffen sie dort an. Einigen Schiffen, die eben erst bemannt wurden,
stießen sie mit dem Schnabel die Wand ein, noch ehe sie auslaufen
konnten; andere nahmen sie leer in's Schlepptau, da die Mannschaft
davongelaufen war. Als die Lakedämonier (des Landheeres) dieß
sahen, ergriff sie der bitterste Schmerz über das Unglück, da ja ihre
Leute auf der Insel abgeschnitten waren. Sie liefen herbei und
stiegen schwer bewaffnet, wie sie waren, in's Meer und packten die Schiffe
an, sie an's Land zu ziehen. Und so groß war da ihr Eifer, daß Jeder
fürchtete, die Sache könne dort nur schlecht gehen, wo er selbst nicht die ^{1 2}
Hand dabei hätte. Groß war das Geschrei um die Schiffe und beide
Theile hatten dabei ihre Kampsart wieder ausgetauscht, denn die
Lakedämonier, in ihrer Kampfwuth und Verzweiflung, lieferten so zu sagen
vom Land aus einen Schiffskampf, und die Athener, die schon den
Sieg in Händen hatten und ihr Glück aus's Aeußerste verfolgen
wollten, kämpften von den Schiffen aus wie Landtruppen. Nachdem
sie so einander viel Mühsal angethan und auf einander eingehanen
hatten, daß der Wunden viele waren, schied sich der Kampf, und die
Lakedämonier brachten die leeren Schiffe mit Ausnahme der Anfangs
genommenen in Sicherheit. Beide Theile gingen in ihr Lager, und
die Einen stellten ein Siegeszeichen auf, lieferten die Todten auS und
sammelten die Schiffstrümmer; und die Insel umkreuzten sie
allsogleich und hielten Wache, da die Leute darauf abgeschnitten waren.
Die Peloponnesier auf dem Festland aber, sammt denen, die ihnen
bereits von allen Seiten zu Hülfe gekommen waren, blieben in ihrer
Landstellung vor Pylos.

XIV. Les Athéniens, pénétrant leurs intentions, fondirent sur eux par les deux passes. Déjà la plupart des vaisseaux étaient éloignés du rivage, la proue en avant ; ils les mirent en fuite, les atteignirent aisément dans un espace resserré, en maltraitèrent un grand nombre et en prirent cinq, dont un avec tout son équipage. Ils se précipitèrent sur ceux qui s’étaient réfugiés à la côte ; quelques-uns furent brisés avant d’avoir démarré, et pendant que les troupes y montaient encore. Plusieurs étaient vides et abandonnés par leurs équi- pages en fuite ; ils les attachèrent, et se mirent à les remorquer. A cette vue, les Lacédémonicns, désespérés d’un désastre qui emprisonnait leurs guerriers dans l’île, accoururent au secours : ils entraient tout armés dans la mer, saisissaient les vaisseaux et les tiraient de leur côté ; chacun croyait que les choses iraient mal là où il n’était pas de sa personne. C’était, autour des vaisseaux, un affreux tumulte, au milieu duquel les deux nations échangeaient leur manière de combattre. Car les Lacédémoniens, emportés par leur ardeur et leur désespoir, ne faisaient pas autre chose en quelque sorte que donner sur terre un combat naval, tandis que les Athéniens, victorieux et jaloux de pousser aussi loin que possible leurs avantages, livraient du haut de leurs vaisseaux un combat de terre. Enfin, après s’être fait bien du mal et porté bien des coups de part et d’autre, on se sépara. Les Lacédémoniens sauvèrent leurs vaisseaux vides, à l’exception des premiers qui avaient été pris, et chacun se relira dans son camp. Les Athéniens dressèrent un trophée, rendirent les morts, et restèrent maîtres des débris des navires. Ils établirent aussitôt une croisière autour de l’île et firent bonne garde pour s’assurer des guerriers qui y étaient enfermés. Les Péloponnésiens, accourus de toutes parts pour l’attaque et campés sur le continent, restèrent sur la plage, en vue de Pylos.

Les Athéniens s’élancent par les deux passes. Déjà la plupart des vaisseaux ennemis avaient démarré, la proue en avant. Les Athéniens les assaillent, les mettent en fuite, les atteignent bientôt, en maltraitent un grand nombre et en prennent cinq, dont un avec son équipage. Ensuite ils fondent sur les bâtiments qui s’étaient jetés à la côte ; d’autres sont heurtés pendant qu’ils embarquent encore leur monde et avant d’avoir démarré ; enfin quelques vaisseaux abandonnés de leurs équipages sont saisis et remorqués par les Athéniens.

A cet aspect, les Lacédémoniens, désespérés d’un événement qui enfermait leurs guerriers dans l’île, s’élancent tout armés dans la mer, ressaisissent leurs navires et les ramènent à eux. Chacun croit sa coopération nécessaire. Autour des vaisseaux, c’était un épouvantable tumulte. Les deux peuples avaient échangé leur manière de combattre. Les Lacédémoniens, dans leur ardeur et dans leur trouble, livraient, pour ainsi dire, un combat naval sur la terre ferme; tandis que les Athéniens, vainqueurs et désireux de poursuivre leurs avantages, combattaient comme sur terre du haut de leurs vaisseaux.

Enfin, après s’être fait mutuellement bien du mal et bien des blessures, on se Sépara. Les Lacédémoniens sauvèrent leurs vaisseaux vides, excepté ceux qui avaient été pris au commencement de l’action. Lorsque les deux partis se furent retirés dans leurs camps, les Athéniens dressèrent un trophée, rendirent les morts et recueillirent les débris des vaisseaux. Ils bloquèrent aussitôt l’île au moyen d’une croisière, pour s’assurer des hommes qui s’y trouvaient renfermés. Les Peloponésiens, qui étaient sur le continent et dont les renforts étaient déjà arrivés de tous côtés, restèrent en place devant Pylos.

[1] As for the Athenians, when they saw the situation, they rushed in upon them by both entrances and falling upon their ships, most of which were by now afloat and facing forward, put them to flight, and since there was only a short distance for the pursuit, ¹ not only damaged many of them but also captured five, one of them with all her crew; the rest they kept on ramming even after they had fled to the shore. Yet other ships were being cut to pieces while still being manned, before they could put to sea; and some they took in tow empty, their crews having taken to flight, and began to haul them away.

[2] At this sight the Lacedaemonian soldiers on the shore, beside themselves with grief at the impending calamity, in that their comrades were being cut off on the island, rushed to the rescue, and going down into the sea in full armour took hold of the ships and tried to drag them back.

[3] Indeed, each man felt that no progress was being made where he himself was not at hand to help. The tumult that arose was great, especially since in this battle for the ships each side adopted the other's manner of fighting; for the Lacedaemonians in their eagerness and excitement were virtually waging a sea-fight from the land, while the Athenians, who were winning and wanted to follow up their success to the utmost while their good fortune lasted, were fighting a land-battle from their ships.

[4] Finally, after causing each other great distress and inflicting much damage, they separated, the Lacedaemonians saving all their empty ships except those which had been taken at first.

[5] Both sides then returned to their camps. The Athenians thereupon set up a trophy, gave back the dead, secured possession of the wrecks, and immediately began to sail round the island and keep it under guard, considering that the men on it were now cut off; on the other hand, the Peloponnesians on the mainland, and the reinforcements that had now arrived from all directions, remained in position at Pylos.

[1] The Athenians, on perceiving this, advanced against them by each entrance; and finding most of their ships already afloat and drawn up to meet them, they attacked and put them to flight, and chasing them as well as the short distance permitted, disabled many, and took five, one of them with its crew; while the rest they charged after they had taken refuge under the land. Some too were battered while still being manned, before they got under weigh; while others they lashed to their own, and began to tow off empty, the crews having taken to flight.

[2] The Lacedaemonians seeing this, and being exceedingly distressed at the disaster, because their men were being intercepted on the island, went to the rescue, and rushing into the sea with their arms, laid hold of the vessels, and began to pull them back again; every one thinking the business to be obstructed in that part in which he was not himself engaged.

[3] Thus the uproar occasioned was great, and the very reverse of what was habitual to both parties with regard to ships: for the Lacedaemonians, in their eagerness and dismay, were absolutely engaged in a sea-fight, so to speak, from the land; and the Athenians, victorious as they were, and wishing to follow up their present success as far as possible, were engaged in a land-fight from their vessels.

[4] After inflicting much labour and many wounds on each other, they separated;

[5] and the Lacedaemonians saved their empty vessels, excepting those first taken. Both sides having returned to their encampment, the Athenians erected a trophy, gave back the slain, secured the wrecks, and immediately began to cruise round the island, and guarded it vigilantly, considering the men as intercepted; while the Peloponnesians on the mainland, who had by this time come with their contingents from all the cities, remained stationary at Pylus.

[1] Athenienses vero hac re cognita ab utroque portus ostio in eos invecti .sunt et, facto impetu, plerasque naves a terra jam provectas et adversis proris venientes, in fugam verterunt, et insecuti pro spatii brevitate multas quidem fregerunt, quinque autem ceperunt et haruin unam cum ipsis viris; in ceteras vero, quae ad terram confugerant, impressionem fecerunt. Aliae vero etiam dum adhuc instruuntur, antequam in altum proveherentur, quassabantur ; et nonnullas etiam vacuas suis navibus alligantes traxerunt, quum ex iis homines se in fugam dedissent.

[2] Quae conspicientes Lacedaemonii et cladem istam aegerrime ferentes, quod utique ipsorum cives in insula intercipiebantur, auxilio accurrebant et armati in mare ingredientes, suae naves manibus apprehendebant, et ad se retrahebant, et io eo unusquisque existimabat res impeditas esse, quibus gerendis non et ipse interfuisset.

[3] Et tumultus exstitit ingens circa naves et contrarius quam pro ulrorumque instituto; nam Lacedaemonii prae studio et formidine nihil aliud, ut ita loquar, quam e terra proelium navale faciebant, et Athenienses, qui victores erant, et qui praesentem fortunam quam longissime persequi volebant, ex navibus pedestrem pugnam committebant.

[4] Quum autem multo labore inter se fatigati essent et vulnerati, dirempti sunt, et Lacedaemonii naves, inanes, illis exceptis, quae initio captae erant, servarunt.

[5] Quum autem utrique in sua castra se recepissent, illi quidem tropaeum erexerunt et caesorum cadavera restituerunt, naviumque fractarum tabulis sunt potiti, insulamque protinus classe circumibant et custodiebant, quod viri in ea intercepti essent; Peloponnesii vero, qui in continente erant, jam ex omnibus gentibus ad opem suis ferendam conjuncti ad Pylum in loco manebant.

[1] Akanthier! Die Absicht Spartas bei Aussendung meines Heeres ist keine andere, als den Zweck unseres Krieges mit Athen, als welchen wir in der Kriegserklärung die Befreiung Griechenlands angekündigt, zur Wirklichkeit zu machen. An unserm späten Erscheinen aber ist die durch die bisherigen Feldzüge getäuschte Hoffnung schuld, euch den Kampf zu ersparen und in kurzer Zeit allein mit Athen fertig zu werden; und es kann uns dasselbe um so weniger zum Vorwurf gemacht werden, da wir jetzt die erste Gelegenheit ergreifen, hieher zu kommen und auch euch zur Theilnahme an dem Vernichtungskampfe einzuladen. Um so mehr befremdet es mich, aus dem Sperren der Thore auf eine unfreundliche Stimmung bei euch schliessen zu müssen. In dem guten Glauben, in euch längst, vor unserer Ankunft schon, entschiedene Bundesgenossen zu finden, denen wir nur willkommen sein würden, haben wir Lacedämonier die Gefahr nicht angesehen, die mit einem so weiten Marsch durch fremdes Gebiet verbunden war, und jedes mögliche Opfer gebracht, — und wie, ihr solltet ganz andere Gesinnungen hegen, solltet eurer eigenen und aller Griechen Befreiung euch widersetzen wollen? Denn nicht allein, dass ihr zu dem Feinde stehet, es müsste auch alle folgenden Städte zurückhaltend und besorgt machen, wenn gleich anfangs eine so ansehnliche und einflussreiche Stadt wie die eurige mich abwiese. Der Glaube an meine Sendung wäre dahin ¹ , man argwohnte nur Böses in der Freiheit, die ich bringe ² , oder sähe in meinem Heere einen zu schwachen und nichtssagenden Schutz gegen Athens drohende Rache. Zwar es war dasselbe Heer, mit dem ich vor Nisäa zog, wo die Athener trotz ihrer Uebermacht keinen Angriff wagten, und ein so zahlreiches Heer wie das nisäische würden sie ohnehin in keinem Fall gegen euch über's Meer schicken. ³

Di che accortisi gli Ateniesi vogavano sopr’ essi per le due imboccature del porto ; e scagliatisi sulla maggior parte delle navi, che già colle prore innanzi procedevano contro loro , le misero in fuga. Molte ne ruppero perseguitandole a breve distanza , cinque ne presero, una delle quali entrovi la ciurma, e correvano sopra le altre rifuggitesi a terra : quelle che si stavano tuttavia armando furono messe in pezzi prima di prender mare ; ed alcune donde era precipitosamente fuggita la gente, legandole alle loro, le rimurchiavano vuote. Al veder ciò commossi oltre modo per la sconfitta i Lacedemoni, perchè le loro genti restavano intercette nell’ isola Sfatteria, accorrevano in aiuto, entravano in mare colle armi indosso , ed abbrancando le navi le ritiravano indietro ; avvisando ciascuno dovere andar fallita la prova laddove egli non prestasse l’opera sua. Per lo che grande era quel trambusto e amendue le parti avevano barattato il modo del combattere intorno alle navi ; imperciocché i Lacedemoni per l’ardore e la trepidazione nuli’altro facevano che , per dir così, dar battaglia navale di sopra terra : e gli Ateniesi, vincitori e desiderosi di avvantaggiarsi al più possibile della presente fortuna , facevano dalle navi battaglia terrestre : cosicché , dopo molto travaglio e molte ferite scambievoli, si separarono, avendo i Lacedemoni salvate le navi vuote , fuor quelle prese da primo. Ricondottisi entrambi agli alloggiamenti, gli Ateniesi ersero il trofeo, restituirono i morti, s’ impadronirono dei rottami delle navi ; e senza indugio volteggiavano attorno all’isola per teuerla guardata, essendovi intercette le genti dei nemici. I Peloponnesi poi, che erano sulla terraferma con quelli già da ogni contrada venuti a soccorso , rimasero al loro posto dinanzi a Pilo.