Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.37

[1] The Boeotians and Corinthians, being dismissed by 37enares and Cleobulus, and all the other Lacedaemonians of that faction, with these points to be delivered to their commonwealths, went to their several cities.

[2] And two men of Argos, of principal authority in that city, having waited for and met with them by the way, entered into a treaty with them about a league between the Argives and the Boeotians as there was between them and the Corinthians and the Eleians and Mantineans already; for they thought, if it succeeded, they might [the more] easily have either war or peace (forasmuch as the cause would now be common), either with the Lacedaemonians or whomsoever else it should be needful. When the Boeotian ambassadors heard this, they were well pleased.

[3] For as it chanced, the Argives requested the same things of them, that they by their friends in Lacedaemon had been sent to procure of the Argives. These men therefore of Argos, when they saw that the Boeotians accepted of the motion, promised to send ambassadors to the Boeotians about it, and so departed.

[4] When the Boeotians were come home, they related there what they had heard both at Lacedaemon and by the way from the Argives. The governors of Boeotia were glad thereof, and much more forward in it now than formerly they had been, seeing that not only their friends in Lacedaemon desired, but the Argives themselves hastened to have done the self-same thing.

[5] Not long after this the ambassadors came to them from Argos to solicit the dispatch of the business before propounded; but the governors of Boeotia commended [only] the proposition and dismissed them with promise to send ambassadors about the league to Argos.

[1] After receiving these instructions for their governments from Xenares and Cleobulus and their other friends at Lacedaemon , the Boeotians and Corinthians departed.

[2] On their way home they were joined by two persons high in office at Argos who had waited for them on the road, and who now sounded them upon the possibility of the Boeotians joining the Corinthians, Eleans, and Mantineans in becoming the allies of Argos , in the idea that if this could be effected they would be able, thus united, to make peace or war as they pleased either against Lacedaemon or any other power.

[3] The Boeotian envoys were pleased at thus hearing themselves accidentally asked to do what their friends at Lacedaemon had told them; and the two Argives perceiving that their proposal was agreeable, departed with a promise to send ambassadors to the Boeotians.

[4] On their arrival the Boeotians reported to the Boeotarchs what had been said to them at Lacedaemon and also by the Argives who had met them, and the Boeotarchs, pleased with the idea, embraced it with the more eagerness from the lucky coincidence of Argos soliciting the very thing wanted by their friends at Lacedaemon .

[5] Shortly afterwards ambassadors appeared from Argos with the proposals indicated; and the Boeotarchs approved of the terms and dismissed the ambassadors with a promise to send envoys to Argos to negotiate the alliance.

Nachdem die Böoter und Korinther von Lenares und
Kleobulos und deren Freunden jene Aufträge erhalten hatten, um sie
ihren Staatsbehörden mitzutheilen, reisten beide Gesandtschaften
wieder ab. Aus sie aber warteten von den Argivern zwei Mitglieder
der höchsten Obrigkeit auf ihrem Heimwege und traten mit ihnen in
Unterhandlung, ob nicht die Böoter sich ebenso mit ihnen verbunden
wollten wie die Korinther und- Eleer und Mantineer; denn wenn das
zu Stande käme, würden sie ihres Erachtens sowohl zu den
Lakedämoniern als auch erforderliches Falles zu jedem Andern leicht in
Kriegs- oder Friedensstand treten können, wenn sie wollten, da die
Verbündeten ja mit ihnen gemeinsame Sache machen würden. Den
Gesandten der Böoter behagten diese Anträge; denn zufällig
ersuchten die Argiver eben um das, was die Freunde zu Lakedämon in
Auftrag gegeben hatten, und als die Argivischen Männer sahen, daß
jene ihnen Gehör gaben, so verabschiedeten sie sich mit dem
Versprechen, Gesandte zu den Böotern schicken zu wollen. Die Böoter kamen
zu Hause an und meldeten den Böotarchen, welche Aufträge man
ihnen von Lakedämon mitgegeben habe ind um was die Argiver
ersucht, mit denen sie zusammengetroffen waren. Auch den Böotarchen
gefielen diese Dinge, nnd sie gingen um so eifriger darauf ein, weil
es sich von zwei Seiten so glücklich traf, daß ihre Freunde unter den
Lakedämoniern dasselbe Anliegen hatten, auf welches auch die Argiver
hinzielten. Nicht lange danach erschienen denn auch Argivische
Gesandte, welche zur Annahme der Vorschläge aufforderten. Die
Böotarchen stimmten ihrem Ansuchen bei und entließen sie mit dem
Versprechen, Gesandte nach Argos schicken zu wollen, um den Waffenbund
zu betreiben.

XXXVII. Les Béotiens et les Corinthiens se retirèrent chargés de ces communications pour leurs gouvernements respectifs par Xenarès, Cléobule et tous ceux des Lacédémoniens qui partageaient leurs vues. Deux Argiens, des principaux en dignité, les guettaient sur la route, à leur retour : les ayant rencontrés, ils se mirent en rapport avec eux, dans le but de rattacher les Béotiens à leur alliance, comme ils l’avaient fait pour les Corinthiens, les Éléens et les Mantinéens. Ils étaient persuadés, disaient-ils, que, si ce projet aboutissait, il leur serait dès lors facile, en se concertant, de faire à leur gré la guerre et la paix, même avec les Lacédémoniens, et avec tout autre peuple, s’il le fallait. Les ambassadeurs des Béotiens accueillirent avec empressement ces ouvertures; car ce qu’on leur demandait se trouvait précisément d’accord avec les propositions dont les avaient chargés leurs amis de Lacédémone. Les Argiens, voyant leurs avances accueillies, dirent qu’ils enverraient des ambassadeurs en Béotie, et se retirèrent. Les Béotiens, à leur arrivée, communiquèrent aux Béotarques les ouvertures qui leur avaient été faités à Lacédémone, et celles des Argiens qu’ils avaient rencontrés : les Béotarques reçurent avec joie ces nouvelles; toute indécision cessa lorsqu’ils virent que, par une heureuse coïncidence, leurs amis de Lacédémone leur demandaient précisément ce qui était l’objet des avances empressées d’Argos. Peu après arrivèrent les ambassadeurs argiens chargés de les inviter à suivre le plan convenu. Les Béotarques agréèrent leurs propositions et les congédièrent avec la promesse d’envoyer à Argos’ des députés pour traiter de l’alliance.

Les Béotiens et les Corinthiens se retirèrent, chargés de ces communications pour leurs États de la part de Xénarès, de Cléoboulos et de leurs amis à Lacédémone. Deux Argiens de la plus haute dignité les guettaient au passage. Les ayant rencontrés, ils se mirent en rapport avec eux, afin d’attirer les Béotiens dans l’alliance d’Argos, à l’exemple de Corinthe , d’Ëlis et de Mantinée. Ils leur représentèrent que, ce but une fois atteint, il leur serait facile, en se concertant, de faire à leur gré la guerre ou la paix, soit avec Lacédémone, soit avec toute autre nation. Les députés béotiens accueillirent ces ouvertures, qui se trouvaient d’accord avec les recommandations de leurs amis de Lacédémone. Les Argiens, voyant qu’ils prêtaient l'oreille à leurs propositions, partirent en disant qu’ils allaient envoyer des députés en Béotie.

Les Béotiens, à leur retour, ne manquèrent pas de rapporter aux béotarques les propositions de Lacédémone et des Argiens qu’ils avaient rencontrés. Ces magistrats entrèrent dans ces vues, d’autant plus facilement que les sollicitations de leurs amis à Lacédémone coïncidaient avec celles des Argiens. Bientôt arrivèrent des députés d’Argos, apportant les propositions dont il a été parlé. Les béotarques y donnèrent leur approbation, et congédièrent ces députés avec promesse d’envoyer eux-mêmes une députation à Argos pour conclure l’alliance.

[1] The Boeotians and Corinthians, being charged by Xenares and Cleobulus and the Lacedaemonians that were friendly to them with these instructions, which they were to announce to their governments, now returned to their respective cities.

[2] But two Argive men of highest official position, who were watching for them by the way as they went off, joined them and made a proposal to them, in the hope that the Boeotians might become allies to them, just as the Corinthians, Eleans, and Mantineans had done; for they thought, if this succeeded, they might then readily, all pursuing a common policy, carry on war or make peace with the Lacedaemonians, if they should wish, or with anyone else with whom it might be necessary.

[3] The Boeotian envoys were pleased at hearing these things; for by good luck these men were asking the same things as their friends at Lacedaemon had enjoined upon them. And the Argive men, seeing that they were inclined to accept the proposal, told them they would send envoys to the Boeotians and went away.

[4] On coming home the Boeotians reported to the boeotarchs the proposal made at Lacedaemon and also that of the Argives who had met them on the way; and the boeotarchs were pleased and were now far more eager for this arrangement, because matters had turned out to their liking in both directions—their friends among the Lacedaemonians wanting the same things as they did, and the Argives striving for a like end.

[5] Not long after this envoys came from the Argives with the proposals that have been mentioned; and the boeotarchs assented to their proposals and sent them away with a promise to dispatch envoys to Argos to negotiate the alliance.

[1] The Boeotians and Corinthians, having received from Xenares and Cleobulus, and such of the Lacedaemonians as were friendly towards ¹ them, these instructions to carry to their governments, went each their way.

[2] But two persons of the Argives, who held the highest office in their country, watched for them by the way, as they were returning; and having met them, entered into conversation with them on the possibility of the Boeotians becoming their allies, as the Corinthians, Eleans, and Mantineans had done; for if that could be well arranged, they thought they might then, on advantageous terms, both carry on war and make peace, both with the Lacedaemonians, if they should wish it—holding the same language all together—and with whomever else it might be necessary.

[3] The Boeotian envoys were pleased at hearing this; for they happened to ask the same things as their friends in Lacedaemon had instructed them to propose. So when the men from Argos perceived that they listened to their suggestions, they said they would send ambassadors to the Boeotians, and went away.

[4] The Boeotians, on their arrival, reported to the Boeotarchs what had been said to them, both at Lacedaemon, and by the Argives who had met them: and the Boeotarchs were pleased, and were much more eager in the business, since it had turned out so luckily for them in both quarters, that their friends amongst the Lacedaemonians requested the same things as the Argives were anxiously wishing.

[5] Not long after, ambassadors came from Argos with the proposals that have been mentioned; whom the Boeotarchs sent back after assenting to their terms, and promising to send envoys to Argos on the question of the alliance.

[1] Atque Boeoti et Corinthii cum his mandatis^ quae acceperant a Xenare et Cleobulo, et quotquot ex Lacedaemoniis erant iis amici, ut ad suas respublicas referrent, utrique abierunt.

[2] Argivorum vero viri duo e summo magistratu eos abeuntes in ipsa via observabant, congressique cum eis in colloquium venerunt, si quo pacto Boeoti societatem secum inire possent, quemadmodum Corinthii et Elei et Mautinei; se enim existimare, si res ista sibi successisset, facile jam sibi fore et bellum gerere et pacem iacere et cum Lacedaemoniis, si vellent, et cum quibuscunque aliis opus esset, de publico consensu agentibus.

[3] Haec Boeotorum legatis audita placebant; nam forte accidit, ut ea peterent, quae etiam amici, qui Lacedaemone erant, ipsis mandarant. Quum autem illi duo Argivi suum sermonem ab iis probari animadvertissent, dixerunt, se legatos in Boeotiam missuros, et abierunt.

[4] Boeoti vero domum reversi ad bceotarchas detulerunt et ea, quae Lacedaemone, et ea, quae ex Argivis in congressu audiverant; et boeotarchae ea probabant, et multo promptiores erant, quod ipsis utrinque contigisset, ut et illi ex Lacedaemoniis , quos sibi amicos habebant, eadem peterent, et Argivi ad similia properarent.

[5] Nec multo post Argivorum legati venerunt, ut eos sollicitarent ad transigenda ea, quae promiserant, et boeotarchae probatis postulatis ipsos remiserunt, polliciti, se legationem Argos de societate missuros.

Partirono tanto i Beozii che i Corintii con questa incumbenza data loro da Cleobolo, da Xenara e da quei tra i Lacedemoni che tenevano da loro, per riferire il tutto ai loro comuni. Due personaggi argivi del primo magistrato gli attesero sulla strada ove dovevan passare ; e abboccatisi con essi vennero in discorso del dovere anco i Beozii farsi loro alleati come i Corintii, gli Elei e i Mantineesi •, imperocché giudicavano che riuscendo il disegno e facendo insieme causa comune potrebbero, volendo, d’ora in poi più di leggeri guerreggiare e negoziare co’ Lacedemoni e con qualunqu’altro occorresse. Piacque ai legati il discorso, poiché casualmente domandavano quello stesso di che avevano commissione dai loro amici di Sparta. I due argivi vedendo giunger gradita la loro proposta, dissero che ne manderebbero ambasceria ai Beozii, e partirono. Frattanto i legati beozii tornati a casa resero conto ai Beotarchi delle cose di Sparta e degli Argivi incontrati per istrada ; ed i

Beotarchi ne ebbero piacere e presero maggior animo, perchè succedeva che gli amici di Sparla domandavano quello stesso che sollecitavano gli Argivi. Poco dipoi comparvero i legati degli Argivi richiedendoli di quello che era stato convenuto : ed i Beotarchi, approvate le domande loro, li congedarono, e promisero di spedire ambasceria ad Argo per concludere l' alleanza.