Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 4.96

[1] Whiles Hippocrates was making this exhortation, and had gone with it over half the army, but [could proceed] no further, the Boeotians (for Pagondas likewise made but a short exhortation and had there sung the Paean) came down upon them from the hill. And the Athenians likewise went forward to meet them, [so fast that] they met together running.

[2] The utmost parts of both the armies never came to join, hindered both by one and the same cause; for certain currents of water kept them asunder.

[3] But the rest made sharp battle, standing close, and striving to put by each others' bucklers. The left wing of the Boeotians, to the very middle of the army, were overthrown by the Athenians, who in this part had to deal, amongst others, principally with the Thespians. For whilst they that were placed within the same wing gave back and were circled in by the Athenians in a narrow compass, those Thespians that were slain were hewed down in the very fight.

[4] Some also of the Athenians themselves, troubled with inclosing them, through ignorance slew one another. So that the Boeotians were overcome in this part and fled to the other part where they were yet in fight.

[5] But the right wing, wherein the Thebans stood, had the better of the Athenians, and by little and little forced them to give ground and followed upon them from the very first.

[6] It happened also that Pagondas, while the left wing of his army was in distress, sent two companies of horse secretly about the hill, whereby that wing of the Athenians which was victorious, apprehending upon their sudden appearing that they had been a fresh army, was put into affright;

[7] and the whole army of the Athenians, now doubly terrified by this accident and by the Thebans that continually won ground and brake their ranks, betook themselves to flight. Some fled toward Delium and the sea, and some towards Oropus;

[8] others toward the mountain Parnethus, and others other ways, as to each appeared hope of safety. The Boeotians, especially their horse and those Locrians that came in after the enemy was already defeated, followed killing them. But night surprising them, the multitude of them that fled was the easier saved.

[9] The next day those that were gotten to Oropus and Delium went thence by sea to Athens, having left a garrison in Delium, which place, notwithstanding this defeat, they yet retained.

[1] Hippocrates had got half through the army with his exhortation, when the Boeotians, after a few more hasty words from Pagondas, struck up the paean, and came against them from the hill; the Athenians advancing to meet them, and closing at a run.

[2] The extreme wing of neither army came into action, one like the other being stopped by the water-courses in the way; the rest engaged with the utmost obstinacy, shield against shield.

[3] The Boeotian left, as far as the center, was worsted by the Athenians. The Thespians in that part of the field suffered most severely. The troops alongside them having given way, they were surrounded in a narrow space and cut down fighting hand to hand; some of the Athenians also fell into confusion in surrounding the enemy and mistook and so killed each other.

[4] In this part of the field the Boeotians were beaten, and retreated upon the troops still fighting; but the right, where the Thebans were, got the better of the Athenians and shoved them further and further back, though gradually at first.

[5] It so happened also that Pagondas, seeing the distress of his left, had sent two squadrons of horse, where they could not be seen, round the hill, and their sudden appearance struck a panic into the victorious wing of the Athenians, who thought that it was another army coming against them.

[6] At length in both parts of the field, disturbed by this panic, and with their line broken by the advancing Thebans, the whole Athenian army took to flight.

[7] Some made for Delium and the sea, some for Oropus, others for Mount Parnes, or wherever they had hopes of safety,

[8] pursued and cut down by the Boeotians, and in particular by the cavalry, composed partly of Boeotians and partly of Locrians, who had come up just as the rout began. Night however coming on to interrupt the pursuit, the mass of the fugitives escaped more easily than they would otherwise have done.

[9] The next day the troops at Oropus and Delium returned home by sea, after leaving a garrison in the latter place, which they continued to hold notwithstanding the defeat.

Während Hippokrates die Seinigen also aneiserte, war er
bis zur Mitte des Heeres gekommen, fand aber jetzt nicht mehr Zeit,
weiter zu gehen, denn die Böoter, welchen auch hier Pagondas mit
kurzen Worten zugesprochen hatte, stürmten den Schlachtgesang
anstimmend vom Hügel herab. Es gingen ihnen nun auch die Athener
entgegen, und im Sturmlauf trafen beide aus einander. Auf beiden
Seiten aber kamen die Flügel gar nicht zum Handgemenge, sondern
auf beiden Flügeln traf es sich, daß Waldströme den Zusammenstoß
hinderten; bei den übrigen HeereStheilen aber wurde heiß gekämpft
und die Schilde prasselten auf einander. Den linken böotischen Flügel
und die Ausstellung bis zur Mitte hin brachten die Athener zum
Weichen und sie bedrängten hier besonders die Thespier. Denn da ihre
Nachbarn in der Aufstellung bereits gewichen waren und sie selbst
daher eng eingeschlossen wurden, so wurde hier eine große Zahl Thespier
im Handgemenge fechtend zusammengehauen; aber auch einige Athener
traf dieß Loos, da sie wegen ihrer durch die Umzingelung aufgelösten
Ordnung einander mißkannten und sich gegenseitig tödteten. Aus
dieser Seite also wichen die Böoter und zogen sich fliehend auf den noch
kämpfenden Theil zurück. Ihr rechter Flügel aber, wo die Thebaner
standen, war im Vortheil über die Athener und drängte sie Anfangs
Schritt vor Schritt vor sich her. Nun schickte auch Pagondas zwei
Abtheilungen Reiter ungesehen um den Hügel herum, wo der linke
Flügel in Bedrängniß war, und als sie hier plötzlich zum Vorschein
kamen, glaubten die auf dem siegreichen Flügel der Athener, es komme
da ein zweites Heer, und geriethen in Schrecken, und so riß auf
beiden Flügeln, hier wegen dieses Ereignisses und dort wegen der
nachdrängenden und schon durchbrechenden Thebaner, allgemeine Flucht
im Heer der Athener ein. Einige flüchteten gegen Delion und das
Meer zu, Andere nach Oropos, ein Theil auch nach dem Berge Par­ ¹
nes und wieder Andere nach vershciedenen Seiten, wo grade ein Je- ²
der Rettung hoffte. Die Böoter aber verfolgten und hieben meder,,
besonders ihre Reiterei und die der Lokrer, welche grade, als die Flucht
sich entschied, auf dem Schlachtfelde eingetroffen waren. Da die Nacht
die Verfolgung abschnitt, so fand die große Masse der Fliehenden
leichter Rettung. Am folgenden Tage wurden die aus Oropos und
Delion, wo trotzdem zur ferneren Behauptung eine Besatzung blieb,
auf Schiffen nach Hause geführt 44).

XCVI. Hippocrates, en faisant cette exhortation, avait parcouru la moitié de la ligne ; il n’eut pas le temps d’aller plus loin. Pagondas, après avoir, lui aussi, adressé une rapide allocution à ses soldats, fit entonner le Péan : les Béotiens descendirent de la colline ; les Athé- niens, de leur côté, se portèrent en avant, et on s’aborda en courant. De part et d’autre les troupes placées aux extrémités de la ligne ne purent en venir aux mains, arrêtées par le même obstacle (elles avaient rencontré des torrents) ; mais le reste combattit corps à corps, bouclier contre bouclier. Les Athéniens mirent en déroute l’aile gauche des Béotiens jusqu’au centre ; de ce côté, ils poussèrent vivement tout ce qu’ils avaient devant eux et en particulier les Thespiens ; les troupes qui leur étaient opposées lâchèrent pied et furent enveloppées dans un espace étroit ; aussi ceux des Thespiens qui périrent alors succombèrent-ils dans une lutte corps à corps. Quelques-uns même des Athéniens perdirent leurs rangs en cernant l’ennemi, et se tuèrent entre eux sans se reconnaître. De ce côté donc, les Béotiens furent vaincus et se replièrent en fuyant vers l’aile droite où le combat continuait. Sur ce point, au contraire, les Thébains étaient vainqueurs des Athéniens. Ils les firent reculer peu à peu, et les suivirent d’abord pas à pas. A ce moment Pagondas détacha deux corps de cavalerie, et leur fit tourner la colline sans être aperçus, pour aller soutenir l’aile gauche qui était en souffrance. A cette subite apparition, l’aile athénienne, victorieuse jusque-là, crut qu’une nou- velle armée s’avançait, et fut frappée de terreur. Pressés d’un côté par cette cavalerie, de l’autre par les Thébains qui avançaient toujours et étaient parvenus à les rompre, les Athéniens prirent la fuite sur toute la ligne. Les uns se précipitèrent vers Délium et du côté de la mer, d’autres vers Oropus, d’autres vers le mont Parnès ; chacun s’enfuit là où il espérait trouver quelque chance de salut. Les Béotiens s’attachèrent à leur poursuite ; la cavalerie surtout et les Locriens arrivés au moment de la déroute en firent un grand carnage. Cependant la nuit survint au milieu de ce désastre et facilita la fuite du plus grand nombre. Le lendemain, ceux qui s’étaient réfugiés à Oropus et à Délium laissèrent une garnison dans cette place qu’ils occupaient encore, et se retirèrent chez eux par mer.

En prononçant cette harangue, Hippocrates était parvenu jusqu’à la moitié de la ligne, sans avoir eu le temps d’atteindre l’extrémité, .lorsque les Béotiens, après une courte allocution de Pagondas, entonnèrent le péan et descendirent la colline. Les Athéniens à leur tour s’ébranlèrent, et l’on s’aborda au pas de course. De part et d’autre les extrémités ne donnèrent pas; elles furent arrêtées par des torrents. Le reste se joignit avec une telle furie que les boucliers se heurtèrent et qu’on se battit corps à corps. L’aile gauche des Béotiens jusqu’à la moitié de leur ligne fut défaite par les Athéniens, qui la poussèrent vigoureusement. Les Thespiens eurent surtout à souffrir. Découverts par la retraite de leurs voisins, ils furent enveloppés par les Athéniens et taillés en pièces après une lutte acharnée. Quelques Athéniens, dans le désordre qui suivit leur mouvement de conversion, ne se reconnurent pas et s’entre-tuèrent. Ainsi de ce côté les Béotiens eurent le dessous et se replièrent vers ceux qui tenaient encore. L’aile droite an contraire, où se trouvaient les Thébains, défit les Athéniens, les culbuta et les poursuivit d’abord assez lentement; mais Pagondas ayant envoyé au secours de sa gauche deux escadrons de cavalerie qui devaient tourne^ la colline sans être aperçus, leur apparition soudaine sema l’effroi dans l’aile des Athéniens jusqu’alors victorieuse ; elle les prit pour une nouvelle armée en mouvement contre elle. Pressés d’un côté par cette cavalerie, de l’autre par les Thébains qui les serraient de près et qui étaient parvenus à les rompre, les Athéniens s’enfuirent à la débandade, les uns vers Délion et la mer, ceux-ci vers Oropos, ceux-là vers le mont Parnès, chacun enfin où il entrevoyait quelque chance de salut. Les fuyards tombaient sous les coups des Béotiens, surtout de leur cavalerie et de la cavalerie locrienne, arrivée au moment de la déroute. La nuit qui survint favorisa la fuite du plus grand nombre.

[1] Hippocrates was thus exhorting his men and had got as far as the centre of the army, but no further, when the Boeotians, after they too had again been briefly harangued by Pagondas, raised the paean and came on from the hill. And the Athenians also advanced against them and met them on a run.

[2] The extremities of the line on either side never came to close quarters, for both had the same difficulty-they were hindered by swollen torrents. The rest were engaged in stubborn conflict, with shield pressed against shield.

[3] And the Boeotian left, as far as the centre, was worsted by the Athenians, who pressed hard upon all the rest in that quarter, and especially upon the Thespians. For when they saw that the ranks on either side had given way and that they were surrounded, those of the Thespians who perished were cut down fighting hand to hand.

[4] And some also of the Athenians, getting into confusion owing to their surrounding the enemy, mistook and killed one another. Here, then, the Boeotians were defeated and fled to the part of their army which was still fighting;

[5] but the right wing, where the Thebans were, had the better of the Athenians, and pushing them back step by step at first followed after them. It happened also that Pagondas, when their left was in distress, sent two squadrons of cavalry round the hill from a point out of sight, and when these suddenly appeared, the victorious wing of the Athenians, thinking that another army was coming on, was thrown into a panic.

[6] At this time, consequently, owing both to this manoeuvre ¹ and to the Thebans following them up and breaking their line, a rout of the whole Athenian army ensued.

[7] Some hastened to Delium and the sea, others toward Oropus, others to Mt. Parnes, others wherever each had any hope of safety.

[8] And the Boeotians, especially their cavalry and that of the Locrians who had come up just as the rout began, followed after and slew them; but when night closed down upon the action the mass of the fugitives escaped more easily.

[9] On the next day the troops from Oropus and those from Delium, leaving a garrison at the latter place, which they still held, were conveyed home by sea. ²

[1] While Hippocrates was thus exhorting his men, and when he had reached the centre of the line, but had not had time to go farther, the Boeotians, having also been exhorted in few words by Pagondas, on that occasion as well as the former, raised their paean, and advanced against them from the hill.

[2] The Athenians, on their side, also advanced to meet them, and closed with them at a run. The extremity of neither line came into action, but both were in the same case; for water-courses were in their way:

[3] but the rest met in an obstinate engagement, shield to shield. And the Boeotian left, and as far as the centre, was beaten by the Athenians, who pressed hard both the others posted there, and especially the Thespians. For the troops next to them in the line having given way, and the Thespians being thus surrounded in a narrow space, those of them who were killed were cut down while defending themselves hand to hand:

[4] and some of the Athenians also, being thrown into confusion through surrounding the enemy, failed to recognise their own men, and so killed each other. This part then of the Boeotian line was beaten, and retreated on that which was still fighting;

[5] but their right, where the Thebans were posted, had the advantage over the Athenians, and drove them back, and pursued them, though but gradually at first. It happened also, that Pagondas having secretly sent two squadrons of horse round the hill when his left was distressed, and these suddenly making their appearance, the victorious wing of the Athenians, thinking that another army was coming against them, was seized with a panic;

[6] and so now on both parts of the field, owing to this supposition, and to the Thebans' pursuing them and breaking their line, the whole Athenian army took to flight.

[7] Some hurried to Delium and the sea-coast, others towards Oropus, others to Mount Parnes, and others as they severally had hope of saving themselves.

[8] The Boeotians, in the mean time, were pursuing them close, and putting them to the sword, especially the cavalry, both their own and the Locrian, which came to their succour just as the rout took place: but the mass of the fugitives escaped more easily than they would else have done, in consequence of night coming on before the business was over.

[9] The next day, the troops at Oropus and those at Delium, having left a garrison in it, (for they still continued to hold it notwithstanding,) returned home by sea.

[1] Quum autem Hippocrates his verbis suos adhortaretur, et ad mediam usque exercitus adem progressus esset, nec majorem ejus partem ocius adire amplius posset, Boeoti, quum eos et ipsos tum quoque Pagondas celeriter adhortatus esset, paeana canere exorsi de colle signis infestis incedebant. Athenienses vero et ipsi in eos e diverso prodibant, cursuqne conflixerunt.

[2] Atque 1 utriusque adei extremae partes ad manus non venerunt, sed idem incommodum sunt passae; nam aquarum rivi impediverunt. Cetera vero acies constitit pugnans acriter, et clypeis inter se connitens.

[3] Et sinistrum quidem Boeotorum cornu vel ad mediam usque partem, ab Atheniensibus vincebatur, qui quum alios illic collocatos, tum vero praedpue Thespienses graviter presserunt. Nam quum milites, qui prope hos erant instructi, se recepissent, et in angusto circumventi essent, qui quidem ex Thespien-sibus perierunt, ii in ipso conflictu se defendentes concisi sunt; atque etiam nonnulli Athenienses, in hoste dreumve-niendo perturbati se mutuis vulneribus interfecerunt, quod se non internoscerent.

[4] Ab hac igitur parte Boeotorum exercitus vincebatur, et ad eam, quae pugnabat, confugit; dextrum vero cornu, in quo Thebani erant, Athenienses superabat, et quum eos repulisset, primo paulatim insequebantur.

[5] Atque aeddit, ut, quum duae equitum turmae a Pagonda dreum collem clam circummissae, dum sinistrum ipsorum cornu laborat, supra collem repente apparuissent, Atheniensium cornu, quod vincebat, existimanti alium exercitum contra se venire, timor incederet;

[6] atque utrinque jam et propter hunc talem casum et propter Thebanos, qui instabant et ordines dissolvebant, universus Atheniensium exercitus in fugam se conjedt.

Et alii quidem ad Delium et mare cursu contenderunt, alii vero ad Oropum, alii ad Parnetha montem, alii vero alio, ut cuique erat aliqua salutis spes.

[8] Boeoti autem eos inse-quentes caedebant, ac praedpue eqpites, et ipsorum et Lo- cri, qui illis modo auxilio venerant, quum fuga fiebat; sed quum nox suo interventu proelium impedisset, fugientium turba facilius dilapsa salutem sibi peperit.

[9] Postridie vero, quum ii, qui erant Oropi, tum etiam ii, qui erantin Delio, praesidio ibi relicto (nam id tamen adhuc tenebant), domum mari revecti sunt.

Mentre Ippocrate animava così le sue genti, era pervenuto a mezzo dell’ esercito senza poter percorrere alla maggior parte ; perchè i Beozii incitati anch’essi brevemente da Peonida ed intonato il Peana , si avanzavano dalla collina. Onde gli Ateniesi si mossero loro incontro, e correndo si azzuffarono. Le ultime file di ambedue gli eserciti non poterono venire alle mani perchè impedite egualmente dai torrenti ; ma le altre si affrontarono eoo aspra battaglia e con incioccamento di scudi. L’ala sinistra dei Beozii fino al mezzo era vinta dagli Ateniesi, i quali incalzarono in questa parte anche gli altri ; e singolarmente i Tespiesi. Imperciocché avendo ceduto quei che erano schierati dirimpetto agli Ateniesi, i Tespiesi s» trovarono circondati in angusto spazio : onde quelli che vi morirono furono tagliati a pezzi nel difendersi petto a petto. Alcuni poi degli Ateniesi che nel circondarli eransi disordinati, non riconoscendosi più tra loro, si ammazzarono scambievolmente. Pertanto i Beozii perdevano su questo lato é si ritiravano presso quelli che reggevano alla battaglia. All’opposto l’ala destra, ove erano i Tebani, superava gli Ateniesi : e dopo averli in breve respinti cominciava ad inseguirli. E accadde che Pagonda sentendo che pativa l’ala sinistra de’suoi, aveva spedito in giro alla collina per occulta via due squadroni di cavalleria ; all’improvviso comparir dei quali, quell’ala degli Ateniesi, che era vincitrice, credendo che un nuovo esercito sopravvenisse , entrò in gran paura. Cosicché l’esercito ateniese parte costernato per questo stratagemma } parte inseguito e sbaragliato dai Tebani, si diede tutto a fuggire. Correvano alcuni verso Delio e verso il mare ; altri ad Oropo, altri al monte Pamete ; ed altri ovunque ciascuno avesse qualche speranza di salvezza. I Beozii, e specialmente i loro cavalli , insieme coi Locresi accorsi in rinforzo appena seguita la rotta li incalzavano e li uccidevano. Ma la notte sopravvenuta a questo conflitto facilitò lo scampo ai fuggitivi ; e il giorno appresso quei che s’erano ricovrati ad Oropo e a Delio (il quale noudimeno tuttora ritenevano), lasciatovi un presidio ritornarono colle navi a casa.