Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Theodor Braun (Translator), 6.32

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Nachdem die Mannschaft eingeschifft und alles, was mit
sollte, verladen war, wurde mit der Trompete „Stillschweigen"
geblasen und das vor der Abfahrt übliche Gebet verrichtet, nicht
auf jedem Schiffe besonders, sondern so, daß es dem Herold in
eins nachgesprochen wurde. Auf der ganzen Flotte wurden
Mischkrüge angesetzt und von der Mannschaft und den Be
fehlshabern aus goldenen und islbernen Bechern Trankopfer
gebracht. Auch die mit hinausgezogenen Bürger und teil
nehmenden Freunde am Lande beteten alle mit. Als das
Opfer beendet und der Paian angestimmt war, wurden die
Anker gelichtet. Anfangs fuhr man in Kiellinie; dann aber,
schon bis Ägina, ruderte man um die Wette, um so schnell
wie möglich nach Kerkyra zu kommen, wo die übrigen Schiffe
der Bundesgenossen sich ja sammeln sollten.

Nach Syrakus aber gelangte von allen Seiten die Nachricht,
die Flotte sei unterwegs, längere Zeit aber wollte niemand
daran glauben. Auch in einer Volksversammlung, die man
hielt, waren die Meinungen geteilt; während die einen die
Nachricht für wahr hielten, andere das Gegenteil behaup
teten, trat auch Hermokrates, Hagnons Sohn, der genau
Bescheid zu wissen glaubte, in der Versammlung auf und
sagte:

History of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides. Theodor Braun (Translator). Leipzig. 1917.

Current edition First1KGreek

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs (German) (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Braun, Theodor, translator. Leipzig: Insel-Verlag, 1917.)

Editions (1)

Ἱστορίαι Perseus (Thucydides. Historiae, Vol 1-2. Jones, Henry Stuart, editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1910. (1942 printing).) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] ἐπειδὴ δὲ αἱ νῆες πλήρεις ἦσαν καὶ ἐσέκειτο πάντα ἤδη ὅσα ἔχοντες ἔμελλον ἀνάξεσθαι, τῇ μὲν σάλπιγγι σιωπὴ ὑπεσημάνθη, εὐχὰς δὲ τὰς νομιζομένας πρὸ τῆς ἀναγωγῆς οὐ κατὰ ναῦν ἑκάστην, ξύμπαντες δὲ ὑπὸ κήρυκος ἐποιοῦντο, κρατῆράς τε κεράσαντες παρ’ ἅπαν τὸ στράτευμα καὶ ἐκπώμασι χρυσοῖς τε καὶ ἀργυροῖς οἵ τε ἐπιβάται καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες σπένδοντες.

[2] ξυνεπηύχοντο δὲ καὶ ὁ ἄλλος ὅμιλος ὁ ἐκ τῆς γῆς τῶν τε πολιτῶν καὶ εἴ τις ἄλλος εὔνους παρῆν σφίσιν. παιανίσαντες δὲ καὶ τελεώσαντες τὰς σπονδὰς ἀνήγοντο, καὶ ἐπὶ κέρως τὸ πρῶτον ἐκπλεύσαντες ἅμιλλαν ἤδη μέχρι Αἰγίνης ἐποιοῦντο. καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐς τὴν Κέρκυραν, ἔνθαπερ καὶ τὸ ἄλλο στράτευμα τῶν ξυμμάχων ξυνελέγετο, ἠπείγοντο ἀφικέσθαι.

[3] ἐς δὲ τὰς Συρακούσας ἠγγέλλετο μὲν πολλαχόθεν τὰ περὶ τοῦ ἐπίπλου, οὐ μέντοι ἐπιστεύετο ἐπὶ πολὺν χρόνον οὐδέν, ἀλλὰ καὶ γενομένης ἐκκλησίας ἐλέχθησαν τοιοίδε λόγοι ἀπό τε ἄλλων, τῶν μὲν πιστευόντων τὰ περὶ τῆς στρατείας τῆς τῶν Ἀθηναίων, τῶν δὲ τὰ ἐναντία λεγόντων, καὶ Ἑρμοκράτης ὁ Ἕρμωνος παρελθὼν αὐτοῖς, ὡς σαφῶς οἰόμενος εἰδέναι τὰ περὶ αὐτῶν, ἔλεγε καὶ παρῄνει τοιάδε.

Translations (9)

The History of the Grecian War Perseus (Thucydides. The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Hobbes, Thomas. translator. London: John Bohn, 1843.) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] After they were all aboard, and all things laid in that they meant to carry with them, silence was commanded by the trumpet; and after the wine had been carried about to the whole army, and all, as well the generals as the soldiers, had drunk a health to the voyage, they made their prayers, such as by the law were appointed for before their taking sea, not in every galley apart, but all together, the herald pronouncing them.

[2] And the company from the shore, both of the city and whosoever else wished them well, prayed with them. And when they had sung the Paean and ended the health, they put forth to sea; and having at first gone out in a long file, galley after galley, they after went a vie by Aegina. Thus hasted these to be at Corcyra, to which place also the other army of the confederates were assembling.

[3] At Syracuse they had advertisement of the voyage from divers places; nevertheless it was long ere anything would be believed. Nay, an assembly being there called, orations were made, such as follow, on both parts, as well by them that believed the report touching the Athenian army to be true as by others that affirmed the contrary. And Hermocrates the son of Hermon, as one that thought he knew the certainty, stood forth and spake to this effect:

History of the Peloponnesian War Perseus (Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Crawley, Richard, translator. London and Toronto: J. M. Dent and Sons Ltd.; New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1914.) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] The ships being now manned, and everything put on board with which they meant to sail, the trumpet commanded silence, and the prayers customary before putting out to sea were offered, not in each ship by itself, but by all together to the voice of a herald; and bowls of wine were mixed through all the armament, and libations made by the soldiers and their officers in gold and silver goblets.

[2] In their prayers joined also the crowds on shore, the citizens and all others that wished them well. The hymn sung and the libations finished, they put out to sea, and first sailing out in column then raced each other as far as Aegina , and so hastened to reach Corcyra where the rest of the allied forces were also assembling.

[3] Meanwhile at Syracuse news came in from many quarters of the expedition, but for a long while met with no credence whatever. Indeed, an assembly was held in which speeches, as will be seen, were delivered by different orators, believing or contradicting the report of the Athenian expedition; among whom Hermocrates, son of Hermon, came forward, being persuaded that he knew the truth of the matter, and gave the following counsel:—

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Wahrmund, Adolf, translator. Stuttgart: Krais and Hoffmann, 1864.) — 6.32 focus

Als nun die Schiffe bemannt waren und Alles an Bord
gebracht, was man mitnehmen wollte, so wurde mit der Trompete
das Zeichen zur Stille gegeben, und nicht aus jedem Schiffe einzeln,
sondern Alle zugleich verrichteten dann die herkömmlichen Gebete vor
der Abfahrt, wozu ein Herold die Worte vorsprach, indem man
zugleich längs der ganzen Heeresaufstellung den Wein in den Krügen
mischte und Offiziere und Soldaten aus goldenen und silbernen
Bechern spendeten. Das übrige Volk betete vom Land aus mit,
sowohl die Bürger, als wer sonst anwesend und freundlich gesinnt war.
Dann stimmten sie den Kriegsgesang an, und nachdem das
Spendopser vollendet war, fuhren sie ab, Anfangs in langem Zuge segelnd
und bis Aegina hin in Schnelligkeit wetteifernd. — Diese also
beeilten sich nach Kerkyra zu gelangen, wo auch die übrige Macht der
Bundesgenossen sich sammelte.

Nach Syrakus aber kam Botschaft von vielen Seiten, daß die
Flotte heransegele, aber lange wurde sie nicht geglaubt, sondern sogar
in einer abgehaltenen Volksversammlung hörte man noch beiderlei
Redner, sowohl solche, welche an den HeereSzug der Athener glaubten, als ¹²
auch solche, die das Gegentheil behaupteten. Auch Hermokrates, des
Hennon Sohn, trat auf wie Einer, der die Wahrheit gewiß weiß.
und redete, um sie anzuspornen, also: s

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponèse First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése, Vol. 1-2. Zévort, Marie Charles, translator. Paris: Charpentier, 1852.) — 6.32 focus

XXXII. Quand les troupes furent embarquées et les bâtiments chargés de tout ce qu’on devait emporter, la trompette donna le signal du silence : les prières d’usage avant le départ furent faites, non point sur chaque vaisseau isolément, mais en commun, par l’armée entière, à la voix d’un héraut. Les cratères remplis dans toute l’armée à la fois, soldats et chefs firent des libations dans des coupes d’or et d’argent. A leurs prières se joignaient celles de toute la foule répandue sur le rivage, des citoyens et de tous ceux qui s’intéressaient à leurs succès. On chanta le Péan, et, les libations terminées, on mit à la voile. D’abord ils sortirent du port à la file, et, jusqu’à Égine, ils rivalisèrent de vitesse; ils se dirigeaient en toute hâte vers Corcyre, où se réunissaient aussi tous les contingents des alliés.

Cependant la nouvelle de cette expédition arrivait d’une foule de points à Syracuse; mais pendant longtemps on refusa d’en rien croire. Néanmoins une assemblée fut convoquée, et voici dans quel sens parlèrent, soit ceux qui croyaient à l’expédition des Athéniens, soit ceux qui la révoquaient en doute. Hermocrate, fils d’Hermon, s’avança, et, en homme qui se croit bien instruit de l’état des choses, il prit la parole et donna cet avis :

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése. Bétant, Élie-Ami, translator. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1863.) — 6.32 focus

L'embarquement terminé, la trompette commanda le silence, et l’on fit les voeux accoutumés avant le départ, non pas sur chaque vaisseau isolément, mais sur la flotte (ratière et par le ministère d’un héraut. Dans toute l'armée, on mêla du vin dans des cratères ; chefs et soldats firent des libations avec des coupes d'or et d’argent. A ces invocations s'unissaient celles de la multitude restée sur le rivage , et composée de citoyens et d’autres assistants favorablement disposés. Le Péan chanté et les libations achevées, la flotte prit le large. D’abord elle sortit du port à la file ; puis elle jouta de vitesse jusqu'à Êgine ; de là elle se dirigea rapidement sur Corcyre. lieu de ralliement assigné au reste des alliés.

Cependant à Syracuse, bien qu'on reçût de toutes parts l’avis de cette expédition, longtemps on ne voulut pas y ajouter foi. Une assemblée fut convoquée, et l’on entendit plusieurs orateurs , les uns confirmant, les autres contestant la nouvelle. Hermocratès fils d'Hermon, qui se croyait bien informé, parut alors à la tribune et s’exprima en ces termes :

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides, Vol. 1-4. Smith, Charles Foster, translator. London and Cambridge, MA: Heinemann and Harvard University Press, 1919-1923.) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] When the ships had been manned and everything had at last been put aboard which they were to take with them on the voyage, the trumpeter proclaimed silence, and they offered the prayers that were customary before putting out to sea, not ship by ship but all together, led by a herald, the mariners as well as the officers throughout the whole army making libations with golden and silver cups from wine they had mixed.

[2] And the rest of the throng of people on the shore, both the citizens and all others present who wished the Athenians well, also joined in the prayers. And when they had sung the paean and had finished the libations, they put off, and sailing out at first in single column they then raced as far as Aegina.

[3] The Athenian fleet, then, was pressing on to reach Corcyra, where the rest of the armament of the allies was assembling.
But meanwhile reports of the expedition were coming to Syracuse from many quarters, but were not believed at all for a long time. Nay, even when an assembly was held speeches to the following effect¹ were made on the part of others, some crediting the reports about the expedition of the Athenians, others contradicting them, and Hermocrates son of Hermon came forward, in the conviction that he knew the truth of the matter, and spoke, exhorting them as follows:

History of the Peloponnesian War First1KGreek (Thucydides. The history of the Peloponnesian War, Volume 1-2. Dale, Henry, translator. London: Heinemann and Henry G. Bohn, 1851-1852.) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] Now when the ships were manned, and every thing was put on board that they meant to set sail with, silence was proclaimed by trumpet, and they offered the prayers which are usual before putting out to sea; not ship by ship singly, but all together, responding to a herald; having mixed bowls of wine through the whole armament, and both seamen and their officers making oblations with gold and silver goblets.

[2] They were joined also in their prayers by the rest of the multitude on shore, both the citizens and whoever else was there that wished them well. When they had sung their hymn, and finished their libations, they weighed anchor; and having at first sailed out in a column, they then raced each other as far as Aegina. And thus they hastened to reach Corcyra, where the remaining force of the allies was also assembling.

[3]

Now tidings of the expedition were brought to Syracuse from many quarters, but for a long time received no credit at all. Nay, even when an assembly was held on the subject, both by others were speeches to the following effect delivered, (some believing the report of the Athenian expedition, while some contradicted it,) and Hermocrates, the son of Hermon, coming forward to them, from a conviction that he had accurate information on the subject, addressed to them the following advice:

Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci First1KGreek (Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci. Haase, Friedrich, translator. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1869.) — 6.32.1 focus

[1] Quum autem naves viris impletae essent omnia-que jam imposita, quae secum erant laturi, tuba silentium indictum est, et vota consueta ant§ profectionem non in singulis navibus, sed universi per praeconis vocem nuncupabant, et crateras miscentes secundum omnem exercitum et aureis argenteisque poculis omnes et navium defensores et duces libantes.

[2] Simul autem vota faciebat et cetera turba, quae erat in terra et civium et si quis alius benevolus iis aderat. Quum autem paeana cecinissent et libationes peregissent, e portu solvebant et primo longa navium serie navigantes jam ad Aginam usque cursum certati m tenebant. Atque bi quidem Corcyram, quo et reliquus sociorum exercitus conveniebat, pervenire properabant.

[3] Syracusas vero ex variis quidem locis nuntii de infesto hujus classis adventu [afferebantur, nec tamen diu quicquam eorum credebatur, sed etiam convocata concione hujusmodi sententiae dictae sunt quum ab aliis, quorum partim quidem credebant ea, quae de Atheniensium expeditione nuntiabantur, partim contraria dicebant, lum etiam Hermocrates Hermonis filius in medium progressus, quippe qui sibi videretur accurate scire, quae de illis rebus ferebantur, dicebat et suadebat haec :

La storia di Tucidide First1KGreek (Thucydides. Della storia di Tucidide volgarizzata libri otto. Anonymous translator. Florence: Tipografia Galileiana, 1835.) — 6.32 focus

E poiché le navi furono piene di soldati con entro tutto ciò che partendo doveano portar seco, fu dalla tromba intimato il silenzio ; e le consuete preghiere prima di salpare non si facevano da ciascuna nave in particolare, ma da tutta insieme la flotta all’ intonazione dell’araldo. Poi con tazze d’oro e d’argento i soprassaglienti e i capitani libavano il vino mesciuto in grandi vasi per tutta l’armata, e di sul lido 6Ì univa alle loro preci l’altra mol~ titudine di cittadini, e di quanti erano loro benevoli. Cantato quindi il Peana diedero le vele ai venti ; e da prima movendo le navi in fila presero subito a gareggiar nel corso sino ad Egina, e si affrettavano di giungere a Corfu ove doveano far capo le altre truppe alleate. Intanto a Siracusa venivano nuove da molte parti della mossa della flotta, e con tutto questo per un pezzo non ne credevano nulla. Ma tenutasi adunanza , varii parlarono secondo il loro avviso, stimando alcuni vera la spedizione degli Ateniesi , altri contradicendo : ed Ermocrate di Ermone persuaso di esser bene informato di tali cose , orò facendo queste esortazioni.

Commentary

Commentary on Thucydides: Book 6 (Thucydides, Book VI. Marchant, Edgar C., editor. London: Macmillan and Company, 1909.) focus

τὰς νομιζομένας πρὸ τῆς ἀναγωγῆς —‘that were customary before the start.’ What is unusual is that the prayers were offered in common, and not by each ship independently.

ὑπὸ κήρυκος —‘ praecone verba praeeunte.’

παρ’ ἅπαν —Diodorus says ὁ κύκλος ἅπας ἔγεμε θυμιατηρίων καὶ κρατήρων. On ordinary occasions it seems that the Strategus alone poured libations before the start of a fleet. Here ‘cups were first filled and drunk round, and then the officers and seamen made the libation’ (Bloomfield).

ξυνεπηύχοντο . . σφίσι —the σφίσι ought to refer to the subject of ξυνεπηύχοντο, but it goes back to the subject which is throughout the prominent one— i.e. those taking part in the expedition. It is best therefore to regard the sentenee as parenthetical.

ἐπὶ κέρως —‘in single file,’ opposite of μετωπηδόν or ἐπὶ μετώπον. Cf. κατὰ μίαν and ἐπὶ μίαν, ‘one behind another.’ When outside the harbour, they began raeing.

τοιοίδε —it is plain, as Stahl says, that the views expressed by Hermoerates differed from those generally put forward. But ‘speeches like this’ (of Hermoerates) need not mean more than speeches that expressed views on the situation and offered adviee.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 6.32

Theodor Braun (Translator)

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