Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 5.9

[1] Men of Peloponnesus, as for your country, how by valour it hath ever retained her liberty, and that being Dorians you are now to fight against Ionians, of whom you were ever wont to get the victory, let it suffice that I have touched it thus briefly.

[2] But in what manner I intend to charge, that I am now to inform you of, lest the venturing by few at once, and not all together, should seem to proceed from weakness and so dishearten you.

[3] I do conjecture that it was in contempt of us, and as not expecting to be fought withal, that the enemy both came up to this place, and that they have now betaken themselves carelessly and out of order to view the country.

[4] But he that best observing such errors in his enemies shall also to his strength give the onset, not always openly and in ranged battle, but as is best for his present advantage, shall for the most part attain his purpose.

[5] And these wiles carry with them the greatest glory of all, by which, deceiving most the enemy, a man doth most benefit his friends.

[6] Therefore whilst they are secure without preparation, and intend, for aught I see, to steal away rather than to stay, I say, in this their looseness of resolution, and before they put their minds in order, I for my part with those I have chosen will, if I can, before they get away fall in upon the midst of their army running.

[7] And you, Clearidas, afterwards, as soon as you shall see me to have charged and, as it is probable, to have put them into affright, take those that are with you, both Amphipolitans and all the rest of the confederates, and setting open the gates run out upon them, and with all possible speed come up to stroke of hand.

[8] For there is great hope this way to terrify them, seeing they which come after are ever of more terror to the enemy than those that are already present and in fight.

[9] And be valiant, as is likely you should that are a Spartan; and you, confederates, follow manfully, and believe that the parts of a good soldier are willingness, sense of shame, and obedience to his leaders; and that this day you shall either gain yourselves liberty by your valour, and to be called confederates of the Lacedaemonians, or else not only to serve the Athenians yourselves, and at the best, if you be not led captives nor put to death, to be in greater servitude than before, but also to be the hinderers of the liberty of the rest of the Grecians.

[10] But be not you cowards, seeing how great a matter is at stake; and I, for my part, will make it appear that I am not more ready to persuade another than to put myself into action.

[1] ‘Peloponnesians, the character of the country from which we have come, one which has always owed its freedom to valor, and the fact that you are Dorians and the enemy you are about to fight Ionians, whom you are accustomed to beat, are things that do not need further comment.

[2] But the plan of attack that I propose to pursue, this it is as well to explain, in order that the fact of our adventuring with a part instead of with the whole of our forces may not damp your courage by the apparent disadvantage at which it places you.

[3] I imagine it is the poor opinion that he has of us, and the fact that he has no idea of any one coming out to engage him, that has made the enemy march up to the place and carelessly look about him as he is doing, without noticing us.

[4] But the most successful soldier will always be the man who most happily detects a blunder like this, and who carefully consulting his own means makes his attack not so much by open and regular approaches, as by seizing the opportunity of the moment;

[5] and these stratagems, which do the greatest service to our friends by most completely deceiving our enemies, have the most brilliant name in war.

[6] Therefore, while their careless confidence continues, and they are still thinking, as in my judgment they are now doing, more of retreat than of maintaining their position, while their spirit is slack and not high-strung with expectation, I with the men under my command will, if possible, take them by surprise and fall with a run upon their center;

[7] and do you, Clearidas, afterwards, when you see me already upon them, and, as is likely, dealing terror among them, take with you the Amphipolitans, and the rest of the allies, and suddenly open the gates and dash at them, and hasten to engage as quickly as you can.

[8] That is our best chance of establishing a panic among them, as a fresh assailant has always more terrors for an enemy than the one he is immediately engaged with.

[9] Show yourself a brave man, as a Spartan should; and do you, allies, follow him like men, and remember that zeal, honor, and obedience mark the good soldier, and that this day will make you either free men and allies of Lacedaemon , or slaves of Athens ; even if you escape without personal loss of liberty or life, your bondage will be on harsher terms than before, and you will also hinder the liberation of the rest of the Hellenes.

[10] No cowardice then on your part, seeing the greatness of the issues at stake, and I will show that what I preach to others I can practise myself.’

,,Ihr peloponnesischen Männer, es möge genügen, euch kurz
zu erinnern, aus wie berühmtem Lande wir hieher gekommen sind,
und daß unser Muth dasselbe immer frei erhalten hat; dann auch,
daß ihr als Dorier gegen Jonier zu kämpfen im Begriff seid, die ihr
immer zu besiegen gewohnt wäret. Ich will euch nun zeigen, auf
welche Art ich den Angriff zu unternehmen gedenke, damit es euch nicht
unzureichend dünke, daß wir in geringer Zahl und nicht mit
gesammter Macht ausziehen, und damit Keiner deßhalb muthlos werde. Ich
vermuthe nämlich, daß die Feinde mit Verachtung unser hieher gegen
die Stadt gerückt sind und wohl gar nicht darauf gerechnet haben,
daß Einer zum Kampf gegen sie ausziehe; und jetzt glaube ich, daß
sie sich ohne Ordnung und sorglos mit Untersuchung der Gegend
beschäftigen. Wer aber solche Fehler seiner Gegner am besten
durchschaut und zugleich nach dem Verhältniß seiner eigenen Macht den
Angriff nicht sowohl ans offener Schlachtaufstellung unternimmt als
vielmehr nach dem Vortheil, den der Augenblick bietet, der möchte
wohl am meisten ausrichten. Und dergleichen erstohlene Erfolge
gewähren den schönsten Ruhm; denn so täuscht Einer den Feind auf's
Gröblichste und nützt den Freunden am meisten. So lange sie also ¹
noch unvorbereitet und in sorgloser Sicherheit mehr an unbemerktem
Abzug denken, wie ich an ihnen wahrzunehmen glaube, als an's
Standhalten, und so lange sie in ihrer Lässigkeit zu keinem Beschlusse
kommen und bevor sie sich noch mehr besonnen haben, will ich sie mit
meinen Leuten hier wo möglich überraschen und im Sturmschritt die
Mitte ihres Heeres anfallen. Du, Klearidas, sollst später, wenn du
mich schon im Gefecht und, wie zu erwarten steht, sie in Verwirrung
bringen siehst, plötzlich die Thore öffnen lassen, deine Leute mit den
Amphipoliten und den übrigen Bundesgenossen hinausführen, aus
jene anstürmen und so schnell als möglich handgemein zu werden
suchen. Auf diese Weise haben wir am meisten Hoffnnng, Schreck
und Verwirrung unter ihnen zu verbreiten; denn eine Abtheilung,
welche später angreist, ist dem Feinde furchtbarer als die, mit der er
bereits im Gefecht ist. So zeige dich also selbst als einen tapferen
Mann, wie du es sein mußt, denn du bist ein Spartaner, und ihr,
waffenverbündete Männer, folgt muthig und denket, daß zu
rühmlicher Kriegführung entschlossener Wille und Ehrgefühl und Gehorsam
gegen die Oberen gehöre! Denkt auch, daß es heute sich entscheiden
wird, ob ihr durch Tapferkeit die eigene Freiheit erwerbet und den
Ruhm, der Lakedämonier Bundesgenossen genannt zu werden, oder
die Schande Athenischer Knechtschaft; im letzteren Falle, — wenn
es noch aus'S Beste abgeht, ohne daß ihr als Sklaven verkauft oder
hingerichtet werdet, — habt ihr jedenfalls noch eine härtere
Knechtschaft zu erdulden, als ihr sie bis jetzt ertrüget; für die andern
Hellenen aber werdet ihr ein Hinderniß der Befreiung. Also zeigt auch
euch nicht weibisch, da ihr seht, um wie große Dinge der Kampf sich
dreht; und auch ich werde euch beweisen, daß ich es nicht besser
verstehe, Andere zur Tapferkeit zu ermuntern, als selbst Hand an's Werk
zu legen."

IX. « Braves Péloponnésiens, songez de quel pays nous venons; songez que notre patrie est toujours restée libre par le courage, et que, Doriens, vous allez combattre des Ioniens, dont vous avez coutume de triompher; il me suffit de vous rappeler tout cela en peu de mots. Ce que je veux, en ce moment, c’est vous faire connaître mon plan d’attaque ¹ , de peur que le petit ^{2 3} nombre de ceux qui vont combattre, l’absence de la plus grande partie des troupes, et l’insuffisance apparente de nos forces ne vous jettent dans le découragement. C’est par mépris pour nous, je suppose, c’est dans l’espoir qu’il ne sortirait personne pour les attaquer, que nos ennemis sont montés sur cette colline, et que maintenant ils perdent le temps à contempler en désordre le spectacle qui est sous leurs yeux. Quand on surprend une pareille faute chez ses adversaires, si on les attaque dans la mesure de ses propres forces, non pas à découvert ni en ligne, mais en tirant de tous ses avantages, il est rare qu’on ne réussisse pas. Rien n’est plus glorieux que ces stratagèmes par lesquels on trompe autant qu’on le peut ses ennemis, pour rendre à ses amis les plus grands services; aussi je veux profiter du moment où l’ennemi, encore en désordre et sans défiance, songe bien plutôt, ce me semble, à se retirer qu’à garder sa position; je veux, tandis qu’il s’abandonne à une insouciante sécurité, le prévenir, s’il est possible, sans lui donner le temps de se reconnaître, et, entouré de mes soldats, me jeter à la course au milieu de son armée. Toi, Cléaridas, lorsque déjà tu me verras le presser vivement et probablement le frapper d’épouvante, prends avec toi tes soldats, les Amphipolitains et les autres alliés, ouvre les portes à l’improviste, accours, et bâte-toi d’en venir aux mains, sans perdre un moment. C’est ainsi surtout qu’on peut espérer les frapper de terreur : car un ennemi qui survient après coup inspire bien plus d’ef- froi que celui qu’on a en présence, et dont on soutient le choc. Sois brave, comme il convient à un Spartiate. Et vous, alliés, suivez-le avec courage; songez qu’à la guerre la volonté, le respect de soi-même, l’obéissance aux chefs sont les éléments du succès; ce jour vous donnera, si vous êtes courageux, la liberté et le titre d’alliés de Lacédémope; sinon, sujets des Athéniens, vous subirez un joug plus dur encore, — à supposer même que vous soyez assez heureux pour éviter l’esclavage ou la mort, — et vous deviendrez un obstacle à l’affranchissement des autres Grecs. Vous, tenez donc ferme, en voyant quels intérêts sont en jeu; moi, je montrerai que je ne suis pas moins capable d’agir que de conseiller les autres. »

« Soldats Péloponésiens, je pourrais simplement vous rappeler que nous venons d’une contrée toujours libre par son courage, et que Doriens vous allez combattre ces Ioniens que vous avez tant de fois vaincus. Mais je veux vous exposer mon plan d’attaque, afin que vous ne soyez pas découragés par la pensée que j’ai tort de n’engager qu’une partie de mes forces.

« C’est sans doute par mépris pour nous et dans l’espoir que nul ne sortirait à leur rencontre, que les Athéniens sont montés sur la colline, où, sans aucun ordre, ils contemplent en pleine sécurité le paysage qui s’offre à leurs yeux. Lorsqu’on aperçoit de telles fautes chez un ennemi et qu’on mesure ses forces pour l’attaquer, non pas ouvertement ni en bataille rangée, mais en tirant parti des circonstances, on est presque assuré du succès. Ruses glorieuses, par lesquelles en trompant ses adversaires on rend les plus grands services à ses amis. t Ainsi, pendant qu’ils sont encore plongés dans une confiance aveugle et qu’ils songent plutôt à se retirer qu’à s’établir, je veux profiter de leur inadvertance, et, sans leur laisser le temps de la réflexion, les gagner, s’il se peut, de vitesse en me jetant avec les miens sur le centre de leur armée. a Pour toi, Cléaridas, quand tu me verras, aux prises avec eux, les frapper probablement d’épouvante, prends avec toi tes soldats, ceux d’Amphipolis et les autres alliés ; fais brusquement ouvrir les portes ; sors à la course, et viens au plus tôt me rejoindre. Ton aspect ne peut manquer de les effrayer; car un nouvel ennemi est bien plus formidable que celui qui est en présence et déjà engagé. Montre-toi courageux en vrai Spartiate.

« Et vous, alliés, suivez-le résolûment. Songez que pour la victoire trois choses sont nécessaires : la volonté, l’honneur, la subordination. Si en ce jour vous faites preuve de bravoure, vous pouvez compter sur la liberté et sur l’alliance de Lacédémone; sinon, esclaves d’Athènes, — à supposer que vous ne soyez pas vendus ou mis à mort,—vous sentirez le joug s’appesantir sur vos têtes, et vous aurez entravé la délivrance du reste des Grecs.

« Mais non, vous ne faiblirez pas ; vous penserez au prix de la lutte; et moi je ferai voir que, si je sais exciter les autres, je nef suis pas moins capable d’agir. »

[1] “Men of the Peloponnesus, let it suffice to remind you briefly from what manner of country we have come, that it has ever been free because of its courage, and that you are going to fight, Dorians against Ionians, whom you have been accustomed to vanquish.

[2] I will, however, explain to you in what way I intend to make the attack, in order that my plan of fighting in detachments and not in a body may not seem to anyone poor tactics and thus cause discouragement.

[3] For I imagine that the enemy ascended the hill in contempt of us and because they could not have expected that anybody would come out for battle against them, and now, with broken ranks and intent upon reconnoitring, are taking small account of us.

[4] Now when an assailant having most clearly observed such errors in the enemy also makes his attack in accordance with the force at his own disposal, not openly and in array of battle, but as may be advantageous under present circumstances, then he would be most likely to succeed.

[5] And those. stratagems have won the highest credit by which a man most completely deceives the enemy and helps his friends.

[6] While, then, the Athenians, still unprepared, are full of confidence and are thinking, so far as I can see, more of withdrawing than of staying where they are, while their tension of mind is relaxed and before they have got their thoughts together, I will take my own troops and if possible surprise them by a dash upon the centre of their army.

[7] Then, Clearidas, the moment you see me pressing on and in all likelihood striking terror into them, do you suddenly throw open the gates and at the head of your own men and the Amphipolitans and the rest of our allies rush out upon them and make all haste to close with them at once. In this way there is the best hope to put them in a panic;

[8] for a force that comes up afterwards has always more terror for an enemy than that with which he is already engaged.

[9] As for yourself, shew yourself a brave man, as becomes a Spartan; and do you, men of the allies, follow him bravely, and bear in mind that the three virtues of a good soldier are zeal, sense of honour, and obedience to his leaders; and that on this day there is in store for you, if you are brave, freedom and to be called allies of the Lacedaemonians—or else vassals of the Athenians (if you be so fortunate as to escape death or being sold into slavery) and that, too, in a harsher vassalage than you had before, while for the rest of the Hellenes you will prove a barrier to their liberation.

[10] Nay, then, seeing how much is at stake, do you on your part not play the coward; and I, for my part, will show that I am not better able to exhort others than to carry out myself in action the advice I give to my fellows.”

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[1] Viri Peloponnesii, e quali terra profecti simus, et eam propter animi generositatem perpetuo liberam esse et vos Dorienses cum Ionibus praelium commissuros esse, quibus superiores esse consuevistis, paucis a me declaratum sufficiat;

[2] qua autem ratione hostes aggredi statuerim , docebo, ne, quod cum paucis, non autem cura uuii er-sis belli fortunam periclitamur, minus tutum vobis videatur, et timorem incutiat.

[3] Conjicio enim hostes contemptione nostri, et quod non speraverint quemquam ad prer-lium contra se proditurum, locum illum conscendisse, et nunc nullis ordinibus servatis ad locorum contemplationem conversos securos esse.

[4] Quisquis autem haec hostium peccata optime animadvertit, et simul pro viribus eos aggreditur, non tam aperte et acie palam contra ipsos instructa, quam pro eo, quod pro praesenti rerum statu utilitas flagitat, is ut plurimum ex animi sententia reni gerat;

[5] haec autem belli furta pulcherrimam gloriam habent, quibus quis hostem maxime fallens, amicis plurimum prosit.

[6] Dum igitur adhuc imparati confidunt, et se subducere potius, quantum ego conjicere possum ex iis, quae video, quam remanere cogitant, dum sunt remissis animis, et priusquam consilium magis componant, ego quidem cum iis, quos mecum habeo, antevertens, si possim, in medium eorum agmen cursu citato irruam;

[7] tu vero Clearida mox, ubi me jam iis inhaerere conspexeris, atque, ut credibile est, cos terrentem, cum tuis et Amphipolitanis cete-risque sociis repente portis apertis eruptionem facias, ope-ramque des, ut quam celerrime pnelio intersis.

[8] Spes enim est, eos sic maxime territum iri; qui enim pugnae postea superveniunt, sunt hostibus formidabiliores, quam qui jam adsunt, et pugnant.

[9] Et quum ipse te virum fortem praibeas, ut te facere par est, virum Spartanum, tum etiam vos viri socii fortiter sequamini, et existimetis boni militis esse, animo prompto esse et pudoris pleno, et ducibus obtemperare, atque hodierno die fore, ut aut, si rem fortiter gesseritis, Ubertas vobis contingat, et ut socii Lacedaemoniorum appellemini, aut et Atheniensium servi, siquidem optima conditione vobiscum actum fuerit, ita ut in servitutem non abstrahamini, aut capitali supplicio afficiamini, et servitutem duriorem experiamini, quam ante habebatis, ceterisqus Graecis impedimento sitis, quo minus in libertatem asserantur.

[10] Quamobrem et vos rem ne ignaviter geratis, animadvertentes quantis de rebus certamen sit, et ego ostendam, me eum esse, qui non magis alios officii sui moneam, quam ipse factis praestem eadem, ad quae verbis illos adhortor. »

« Prodi Peloponnesi : che noi venghiamo da nn paese mai sempre libero mercè la vostra valenzìa , e die voi Dorii andate a combattere con gli Ionii cui avete in usanza di vincere, basti averlo così brevemente accennato. Ora voglio mostrarvi in che modo io pensi di affrontare il nemico, affinchè il cimentarsi pochi, e non tutti, parendovi cosa insufficiente, non vi metta scoraggiamento.

Io mi do a credere che il disprezzo in che ci hanno gli avversari, e la opinione loro che niuno voglia uscire a combatterli, gli abbia fatti salire su quel colle, ove voltatisi disordinatamente a goder la vista del paese non à danno altra briga. Pertanto chi benissimo conoscendo tai sbagli dei nemici va ad assalirli in quel modo che richieggono le proprie forze , e non già alla scoperta o coll’esercito schierato di fronte, ma come torna utile al presente, questi il più delle volte trionfa. E tali astuzie apportano molta gloria , perchè ingannando sommamente il nemico, si viene a giovare assaissimo agli amici. Or mentre non preparati imbaldanziscono , e a quel che parmi, hanno più pensiero di ritirarsi che di persistere ; mentre sono in tale rilassamento dell’animo e prima che ricompongano meglio la loro mente, io colla mia gente voglio veder di prevenirli, scagliandomi a corsa in mezzo al loro campo. Tu poi, o Clearida / quando mi vegga loro addosso, e probabilmente spaventarli, apri improvviso la porta , e co’ tuoi e con gH Amfipolitani, e con gli altri alleati accorri colà, e affrettati di azzuffarti il più prestamente. Questo è ciò che mi affida

Goosle soprattutto di atterrirli , perchè la truppa che sopravviene seconda alla pugna , è più terribile pei nemici di quella che già presente combatte. Tu stesso mostrati valente qual deve essere uno spartano ; e voi bravi confederati seguitelo animosamente, persuasi che a ben combattere tre cose si richiedono : volere , onore , ubbidienza ai capitani. Pensate che in questo giorno , o mostrandovi prodi, avrete libertà, e sarete chiamati alleati dei Lacedemoni; od altrimenti, schiavi degli Ateniesi : e poniamo che a sorte non siate cattivati od uccisi, nondimeno avrete più acerba servitù di prima , e sarete impeditori di libertà agli altri Greci. Però considerando per che gravi cose ora avete a combattere, non isgomentate ; che io mi vi mostrerò non solo atto a fare esortazioni agli altri , ma ancora a mandarle io stesso ad effetto ».