Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.50

[1] When this would not be agreed unto, they then required this: not that they should render Lepreum, unless they would, but that then they should come to the altar of Jupiter Olympian, seeing they desired to have free use of the temple, and there before the Grecians to take an oath to pay the fine at least hereafter.

[2] But when the Lacedaemonians refused that also, they were excluded the temple, the sacrifices, and the games, and sacrificed at home; but the rest of the Grecians, except the Lepreates, were all admitted to be spectators.

[3] Nevertheless, the Eleians, fearing lest they would come and sacrifice there by force, kept a guard there of their youngest men in arms, to whom were added Argives and Mantineans, of either city one thousand, and certain Athenian horsemen, who were then at Argos waiting the celebration of the feast.

[4] For a great fear possessed all the assembly lest the Lacedaemonians should come upon them with an army; and the rather because Lichas, the son of Arcesilaus, a Lacedaemonian, had been whipped by the serjeants upon the race; for that when his chariot had gotten the prize, after proclamation made that the chariot of the Boeotian state had won it (because he himself was not admitted to run), he came forth into the race and crowned his charioteer, to make it known that the chariot was his own. This added much unto their fear, and they verily expected some accident to follow. Nevertheless the Lacedaemonians stirred not; and the feast passed over.

[5] After the Olympian games, the Argives and their confederates went to Corinth to get the Corinthians into their league. And the Lacedaemonian ambassadors chanced to be there also; and after much conference and nothing concluded, upon occasion of an earthquake they brake off the conference and returned every one to his own city. And so this summer ended.

[1] As this proposal was not accepted, the Eleans tried a second. Instead of restoring Lepreum, if this was objected to, the Lacedaemonians should ascend the altar of the Olympian Zeus, as they were so anxious to have access to the temple, and swear before the Hellenes that they would surely pay the fine at a later day.

[2] This being also refused, the Lacedaemonians were excluded from the temple, the sacrifice, and the games, and sacrificed at home; the Lepreans being the only other Hellenes who did not attend.

[3] Still the Eleans were afraid of the Lacedaemonians sacrificing by force, and kept guard with a heavy-armed company of their young men; being also joined by a thousand Argives, the same number of Mantineans, and by some Athenian cavalry who stayed at Harpina during the feast.

[4] Great fears were felt in the assembly of the Lacedaemonians coming in arms, especially after Lichas, son of Arcesilaus, a Lacedaemonian, had been scourged on the course by the umpires; because, upon his horses being the winners, and the Boeotian people being proclaimed the victor on account of his having no right to enter, he came forward on the course and crowned the charioteer, in order to show that the chariot was his. After this incident all were more afraid than ever, and firmly looked for a disturbance: the Lacedaemonians, however, kept quiet, and let the feast pass by, as we have seen.

[5] After the Olympic games, the Argives and the allies repaired to Corinth to invite her to come over to them. There they found some Lacedaemonian envoys; and a long discussion ensued, which after all ended in nothing, as an earthquake occurred, and they dispersed to their different homes.

Als aber die Lakedämonier darauf nicht eingingen, so
änderten sie ihre Forderung dahin, jene brauchten Lepreon nicht
Herauszugeben, wenn sie nicht wollten, sie sollten aber an den Altar des
Olympischen Zeus treten, wenn sie zum Feste zugelassen sein wollten,
und im Angesicht aller Hellenen einen Eid sHwören, daß sie die
Strafsumme später gewissenhaft erlegen würden. Da die
Lakedämonier aber auch hierauf nicht eingingen, so wurden sie von dem
Feste ausgeschlossen und verrichteten das Opfer zu Hause; die übrigen
Hellenen aber mit Ausnahme der Lepreaten waren durch
Gesandtschaften vertreten. Gleichwohl waren die Eleer in Furcht, jene
möchten den Zulaß zum Opfer mit Gewalt erzwingen, und ließen ihre
junge Mannschaft unter Waffen Wache halten. Auch von Argos
und Mantinea war Zuzug gekommen, Tausend Mann aus jeder
Stadt, und auch von Seiten der Athener Reiter, welche, so lang das
Fest dauerte, in Argos standen. Trotzdem schwebte die versammelte
Menge in großer Furcht, die Lakedämonier möchten bewaffnet
kommen, zumal auch Lichas, des Arkesilaös Sohn, der Lakedämonier,
beim Wettkampfe von den Stabträgern Schläge erhalten hatte.
Sein Gespann nämlich hatte den Sieg davon getragen, es wurde
aber trotzdem das böotische Gemeinwesen als Sieger ausgerufen / da
jener zur Theilnahme am Wettkampfe nicht berechtigt war. Da trat
er nun auf den Kampfplatz hervor und bekränzte seinen Wagenlenkers
um damit zu zeigen, daß daS Gespann ihm gehöret Darüber
geriethen nun Alle noch mehr in Furcht und glaubten, es werde etwas
Unerwartetes eintreten. Die Lakedämonier verhielten sich indessen
ruhig, und so ging das Fest vorüber. Nach Korinth aber kamen nach
den Olympien die Argiver und ihre Verbündeten mit dem Ersuchen,
zu ihnen zu treten: Es waren auch von den Lakedämoniern Gesandte
zugegen, und obgleich viel hinüber und herüber unterhandelt wurde,
so kam eS doch zu keinem Ziel, sondern über ein eingetretenes Erd- ^{1 2}
beben löste sich die Versammlung auf und Jeder ging nach Hause.
Damit war der Sommer zu Ende.

L. N’ayant pu se faire écouter, ils leur proposèrent encore, non plus de rendre Lépréon, s’ils ne le voulaient pas, mais de monter à l’autel de Jupiter Olympien, puisqu’ils tenaient à jouir du temple, et là de s’engager par serment, en présence des Grecs, à payer plus tard l’amende. Les Lacédémoniens, ayant repoussé même cette proposition, furent exclus du temple, des sacrifices et des jeux, et durent sacrifier chez eux. Les autres Grecs prirent part à la solennité, à l’exception des Lépréates. Cependant les Éléens, craignant que les Lacédémoniens n’employassent la force pour sacrifier dans le temple, établirent une gaéde de jeunes gens armés : mille Argiens, autant de Mantinéens vinrent se joindre à eux, ainsi que des cavaliers athéniens, qui attendaient à Argos la célébration de la fête. La crainte était grande, au milieu des Grecs assemblés, que les Lacédémoniens ne. vinssent en armes, surtout depuis que Lichas, de Lacédémone, fils d’Arcésilas, avait été frappé dans la lice par les sergents d’armes ¹ : son attelage était vainqueur; mais comme il ne lui était pas permis de concourir, le héraut proclama que la victoire était au char envoyé par le peuple béotien ² Ί Li- ^{3 4} chas alors s’avança dans la lice, et ceignit le cocher d’une bandelette, pour montrer que le char lui appartenait. Cela ne fit qu’augmenter la crainte générale, et on s’attendait à quelque événement. Cependant les Lacédémoniens se tinrent en repos, et la fête se passa sans accident.

Après les jeux Olympiques, les Argiens et leurs alliés se rendirent auprès des Corinthiens pour les engager à se joindre à eux. Des ambassadeurs de Lacédémone se trouvaient alors à Corinthe. De nombreuses conférences eurent lieu, mais sans résultat en définitive : un tremblement de terre étant survenu, on se sépara, et chacun retourna chez soi. L’été finit.

Sur leur refus, les Eléens leur firent une autre proposition : qu’ils gardassent Lépréon, puisqu'ils ne voulaient décidément pas le rendre; mais, s’ils tenaient à avoir l'usage du temple, qu’ils montassent sur l’autel de Jupiter et fissent, en présence de tous les Grecs, le serment de payer plus tard cette amende. Les Lacédémoniens n’y consentirent pas davantage ; aussi furent-ils exclus du temple, du sacrifice et des jeux. Ils sacrifièrent chez eux. Le reste des Grecs prit part à la fête, excepté les Lépréates. Cependant les Eléens, craignant que les Lacédémoniens n'eüssent recours à la force, mirent sur pied une garde de jeunes gens. Il leur vint aussi mille Argiens, autant de Man· tinéens, et des cavaliers d’Athènes, qui attendaient à Argos la célébration des jeux. Une grande frayeur s’empara de l’assemblée; on craignit que les Lacédémoniens ne vinssent en armes. surtout après que leur compatriote Lichas fils d’Arcésilaos eut été frappé de verges dans l'arène par les rhahdophores ¹ . Ses chevaux avaient mérité le prix ; mais, comme il n'avait pas le droit de concourir, on proclama vainqueur le peuple de Béotie. Alors Lichas, s'avançant dans l’arène, ceignit d’une bandelette le front du cocher, pour faire voir que le char était à lui. Cet incident augmenta la crainte générale, et l’on s'attendit à quelque mouvement. Toutefois il n’en fut rien , et là fête s'acheva sans trouble.

Après les jeux olympiques, les ArgieDS et leurs alliés se rendirent à Corinthe, pour engager cette ville à se joindre à eux. Il s’y trouvait déjà des ambassadeurs de Lacédémone. On échangea bien des paroles sans rien terminer; car il survint un tremblement de terre qui fit lever la séance, et chacun regagna ses foyers. Là-dessus l’été finit.

[1] When the Lacedaemonians refused this offer, the Eleans proposed that they should not restore Lepreum, if they objected to that, but, as they eagerly desired to have access to the sanctuary, that they should go up to the altar of Olympian Zeus and swear in the presence of the Hellenes that they would assuredly pay the fine later.

[2] But as they were unwilling to do even this, the Lacedaemonians were excluded from the temple, from the sacrifice and the contests, and sacrificed at home;

[3] while the rest of the Hellenes, except the Lepreates, sent representatives to the festival. Still the Eleans, fearing that the Lacedaemonians would force their way and offer sacrifice, kept guard with the young men under arms;

[4] and there came to their aid also some Argives and Mantineans, a thousand of each, and some Athenian cavalry that were at Arpina ¹ awaiting the festival. And great fear came upon the assembly that the Lacedaemonians might come with arms, especially as Lichas son of Arcesilaus, a Lacedaemonian, received blows from the umpires on the course, because, when his own team won and was proclaimed as belonging to the Boeotian state on account of his having no right to contend, he had come upon the course and crowned the charioteer, wishing to show that the chariot was his. And so everybody was much more afraid, and it seemed that there would be some disturbance. The Lacedaemonians, however, kept quiet, and the festival went through in this way, as far as they were concerned.

[5] But after the Olympic games the Argives and their allies came to Corinth, to ask then to join their league. Lacedaemonian envoys also happened to be present. Many proposals were made, but nothing was done; for an earthquake occurred and they dispersed severally to their homes. And the summer ended.

[1] When they did not comply, they required them again to do as follows: not to give back Lepreum, if they objected to it, but to mount on the altar of the Olympian Jupiter—since they were so anxious to have access to the temple—and swear before the Greeks that assuredly they would discharge the fine at a future period.

[2] But when they would not do this either, the Lacedaemonians were excluded from the temple—from the sacrifice and from the games—and made their offerings at home;

[3] while the rest of the Greeks, except the Lepreans, sent their deputations to the festival. However, the Eleans were afraid of their sacrificing by force, and kept guard with a heavy-armed company of their young men; while there also came to them a body of Argives and Mantineans, each a thousand strong, and some Athenian cavalry, that were at Argos, waiting for the festival.

[4] And a great alarm was produced in the assembly lest the Lacedaemonians should come in arms; especially after Lichas son of Arcesilaus, a Lacedaemonian, was scourged on the course by the ¹ lictors, because, on his horses being the winners, and the Boeotian people being proclaimed victor, on account of his having no right to enter the lists, he came forward on to the course, and crowned the charioteer, from a wish to show that the chariot was his. All therefore were now much more afraid, and thought there would be some disturbance.

[5] However, the Lacedaemonians kept quiet, and let the feast thus pass by.—After the Olympic festival, the Argives and their allies repaired to Corinth, to beg that state to come over to them. Some Lacedaemonian ambassadors, too, happened to be there; and after there had been much discussion, nothing was accomplished at last; but an earthquake having occurred, they dispersed to their several homes. And so the summer ended.

[1] Sed quum Lacedaemonii audire nollent, Elei rursus haec postularunt, ut Lepreum quidem, si nollent, non restituerent, verum adseenderent ad Jovis Olympii aram, quandoquidem templo uti exoptarent, ut coram Graecis jurarent , se multam in posterum persoluturos.

[2] Sed quum ne ista quidem facere vellent, Lacedaemonii quidem a sacro, sacrificiis et certaminibus, prohibiti sunt, domique sacrificium faciebant; celeri vero Graeci, praeter Lepreatas, sacras legationes mittebant

[3] Elei tamen veriti, ne Lacedaemonii per vim sacrificium facerent, cum juventute armata excubias agebant; ad ipsos autem venerunt et Argivi et Man-tinei, ex utrisque milleni, et Atheniensium equites, qui dierum festorum celebrationem Argis praestolabantur.

[4] Nam omnem illius coetus frequentiam ingens timor invaserat, ne Lacedaemonii armati eo venirent, praesertim postea quam Lichas Arcesilai filius Lacedaemonius virgis a lictoribus in stadio caesus erat, quod quum ipsius bigae vicissent, et per praeconis vocem renunciatum esset Boeotorum commune ut victor, quod Lacedaemoniis interdictum erat certaminibus , ipse in stadium progressus aurigam coronasset, cupiens indicare currum illum suum esse; quamobrem multo magis omnes tunc timuerunt, et aliquid novi fore videbatur. Lacedaemonii tamen quieverunt, atque illa dierum festorum celebratio sic iis praeteriit.

[5] Post Olympia autem Argivi eorumque socii Corinthum iverunt, oraturi Corinthios, ut ad se transirent. Aderant autem et Lacedaemoniorum legati, et quamvis multi sermones habiti essent, ad extremum tamen nihil confectum est, sed facto terraer motu in suam quique urbem discesserunt. Atque hiec aestas finiebatur.

E non essendo ascoltati, facevano quest’al tra proposizione : che i Lacedemoni, se così volevano, non rendessero Lepreo : ma poiché erano desiderosissimi di esseri' ammessi nel luogo sacro, salissero sull’ara di Giove Olimpico , e giurassero in faccia ai Greci, che dopo pagherebbero la multa» Non vollero i Lacedemoni menar buona neppur questa, e però furono esclusi dal luogo sacro, dai certami e dai sacrifizi, i quali fecero in casa da per loro ; egli altri Greci, salvo i Lepreati, parteciparono delle feste» Non di meno gli Elei, temendo non i Lacedemoni entrassero per forza a parte dei sacrifizi, tenevano sulle armi una guardia dei più giovani, alla quale poi si aggiunsero mille Argivi e mille Mantineesi ed i cavalli ateniesi che aspettavano in Argo il tempo delle feste. Infatti il popolo concorso era entrato in gran timore che dovessero arrivare i Lacedemoni armati ; tanto più che Lica di Arcesilao lacedemone era stato battuto dai littori neH’agone, perchè avendo vinto la sua pariglia , ed essendo stata proclamata quella del Comune dei Beozii (a cagione del divieto che i Lacedemoni avevano alle feste) egli avanzatosi nell’agone ne inghirlandò il carrettiere, volendo così dimostrare che suo era quel cocchio. Laonde molto più crebbe a tutti la paura , e s’aspettavano qualche novità. Ma i Lacedemoni non si mossero ; e così passò la solennità. Dopo le feste olimpiche gli Argivi con gli alleati andarono a Corinto per pregare i Corintii ad accostarsi a loro ; e vi trovarono presenti anche i legati di Sparta. Si tennero molte conferenze che finirono senza effetto veruno : anzi venuto un terremoto, ciascuno ritornò a casa sua; e così finiva Testate.