Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Theodor Braun (Translator), 7.34

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

← Previous Next →

Um dieselbe Zeit richteten sich die Peloponnesier auf den
fünfundzwanzig Schiffen, welche zum Schutz der nach Sizilien
abgehenden Lastschiffe der athenischen Flotte bei Naupaktos
gegenüber lagen, auf eine Seeschlacht ein, bemannten noch
einige Schiffe, so daß sie nicht viel weniger als die Athener
hatten, und gingen bei Erineos in Achaia im Gebiet der
Stadt Rhypes vor Anker. Da ihr Ankerplatz sichelförmig war,
hatte das zu ihrer Unterstützung gekommene Landheer der
Korinther und der dortigen Bundesgenossen neben ihnen zu
beiden Seiten eine Stellung auf den vorspringenden Land
spitzen eingenommen, zwischen denen die Schiffe eine geschlossene
Linie bildeten. Den Befehl über die Flotte führte der Korinther
Polyanthes. Nun gingen die Athener aus Naupaktos mit
dreiunddreißig Schiffen unter Diphilos gegen sie vor. Anfangs
rührten sich die Korinther nicht, dann aber, als es ihnen an
der Zeit schien, setzten sie sich auf ein gegebenes Zeichen gegen
die Athener in Fahrt, und die Schlacht begann. Längere Zeit
hielten beide einander die Wage. Den Korinthern wurden
drei Schiffe vernichtet, den Athenern zwar keins zum Sinken
gebracht, aber sieben außer Gefecht gesetzt, indem sie beim
Zusammenstoß vorn vor den Ruderbänken von den korinthischen
Schiffen gerammt wurden, die zu dem Ende mit tsärkeren
Sturmbalken versehen waren. Die Schlacht aber blieb un
entschieden, so daß beide Teile sich den Sieg zuschrieben. Doch
bargen die Athener die Schiffstrümmer, da sie durch den Wind »
in die offene See getrieben wurden und die Korinther den
Angriff nicht erneuerten. Damit war die Sache zu Ende,
es gab keine Verfolgung, und keiner von beiden hatte Gefangene
gemacht. Denn die Korinther und Peloponnesier, welche nahe
am Lande gefochten, konnten sich leicht retten, und den Athenern
war kein einziges Schiff versenkt worden. Als die Athener
wieder nach Naupaktos abgefahren waren, errichteten die
Korinther sogleich ein Siegeszeichen, indem sie sich den Sieg
zuschrieben, weil sie mehr feindliche Schiffe kampfunfähig ge
macht hatten und sich auch deshalb als Sieger ansahen, weil
die anderen das nicht taten. Denn die Korinther glaubten
schon gesiegt zu haben, wenn sie nicht gründlich geschlagen
waren, die Athener aber sahen die Schlacht nicht als gewonnen
an, weil sie die Gegner nicht gründlich besiegt hatten. Nach
dem die Flotte der Peloponnesier abgefahren und ihr Land
heer auseinandergegangen war, errichteten die Athener, weil
sie die Schlacht gewonnen, auch ihrerseits in Achaia ein
Siegeszeichen, etwa zwanzig Stadien von Erineos, wo die
Korinther vor Anker gelegen hatten. So verlief die See
schlacht.

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).) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] οἱ δὲ Πελοποννήσιοι περὶ τὸν αὐτὸν χρόνον τοῦτον οἱ ἐν ταῖς πέντε καὶ εἴκοσι ναυσίν, οἵπερ τῶν ὁλκάδων ἕνεκα τῆς ἐς Σικελίαν κομιδῆς ἀνθώρμουν πρὸς τὰς ἐν Ναυπάκτῳ ναῦς, παρασκευασάμενοι ὡς ἐπὶ ναυμαχίᾳ καὶ προσπληρώσαντες ἔτι ναῦς ὥστε ὀλίγῳ ἐλάσσους εἶναι αὐτοῖς τῶν Ἀττικῶν νεῶν, ὁρμίζονται κατὰ Ἐρινεὸν τῆς Ἀχαΐας ἐν τῇ Ῥυπικῇ.

[2] καὶ αὐτοῖς τοῦ χωρίου μηνοειδοῦς ὄντος ἐφ’ ᾧ ὥρμουν, ὁ μὲν πεζὸς ἑκατέρωθεν προσβεβοηθηκὼς τῶν τε Κορινθίων καὶ τῶν αὐτόθεν ξυμμάχων ἐπὶ ταῖς προανεχούσαις ἄκραις παρετέτακτο, αἱ δὲ νῆες τὸ μεταξὺ εἶχον ἐμφάρξασαι· ἦρχε δὲ τοῦ ναυτικοῦ Πολυάνθης Κορίνθιος.

[3] οἱ δ’ Ἀθηναῖοι ἐκ τῆς Ναυπάκτου τριάκοντα ναυσὶ καὶ τρισίν (ἦρχε δὲ αὐτῶν Δίφιλος) ἐπέπλευσαν αὐτοῖς.

[4] καὶ οἱ Κορίνθιοι τὸ μὲν πρῶτον ἡσύχαζον, ἔπειτα ἀρθέντος αὐτοῖς τοῦ σημείου, ἐπεὶ καιρὸς ἐδόκει εἶναι, ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἀθηναίους καὶ ἐναυμάχουν. καὶ χρόνον ἀντεῖχον πολὺν ἀλλήλοις.

[5] καὶ τῶν μὲν Κορινθίων τρεῖς νῆες διαφθείρονται, τῶν δ’ Ἀθηναίων κατέδυ μὲν οὐδεμία ἁπλῶς, ἑπτὰ δέ τινες ἄπλοι ἐγένοντο ἀντίπρῳροι ἐμβαλλόμεναι καὶ ἀναρραγεῖσαι τὰς παρεξειρεσίας ὑπὸ τῶν Κορινθίων νεῶν ἐπ’ αὐτὸ τοῦτο παχυτέρας τὰς ἐπωτίδας ἐχουσῶν.

[6] ναυμαχήσαντες δὲ ἀντίπαλα μὲν καὶ ὡς αὐτοὺς ἑκατέρους ἀξιοῦν νικᾶν, ὅμως δὲ τῶν ναυαγίων κρατησάντων τῶν Ἀθηναίων διά τε τὴν τοῦ ἀνέμου ἄπωσιν αὐτῶν ἐς τὸ πέλαγος καὶ διὰ τὴν τῶν Κορινθίων οὐκέτι ἐπαναγωγήν, διεκρίθησαν ἀπ’ ἀλλήλων, καὶ δίωξις οὐδεμία ἐγένετο, οὐδ’ ἄνδρες οὐδετέρων ἑάλωσαν· οἱ μὲν γὰρ Κορίνθιοι καὶ Πελοποννήσιοι πρὸς τῇ γῇ ναυμαχοῦντες ῥᾳδίως διεσῴζοντο, τῶν δὲ Ἀθηναίων οὐδεμία κατέδυ ναῦς.

[7] ἀποπλευσάντων δὲ τῶν Ἀθηναίων ἐς τὴν Ναύπακτον οἱ Κορίνθιοι εὐθὺς τροπαῖον ἔστησαν ὡς νικῶντες, ὅτι πλείους τῶν ἐναντίων ναῦς ἄπλους ἐποίησαν καὶ νομίσαντες αὐτοὶ οὐχ ἡσσᾶσθαι δι’ ὅπερ οὐδ’ οἱ ἕτεροι νικᾶν· οἵ τε γὰρ Κορίνθιοι ἡγήσαντο κρατεῖν εἰ μὴ καὶ πολὺ ἐκρατοῦντο, οἵ τ’ Ἀθηναῖοι ἐνόμιζον ἡσσᾶσθαι ὅτι οὐ πολὺ ἐνίκων.

[8] ἀποπλευσάντων δὲ τῶν Πελοποννησίων καὶ τοῦ πεζοῦ διαλυθέντος οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι ἔστησαν τροπαῖον καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν τῇ Ἀχαΐᾳ ὡς νικήσαντες,ἀπέχον τοῦ Ἐρινεοῦ, ἐν ᾧ οἱ Κορίνθιοι ὥρμουν, ὡς εἴκοσι σταδίους. καὶ ἡ μὲν ναυμαχία οὕτως ἐτελεύτα.

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.) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] The Peloponnesians and the rest, who were at the same time in the twenty-five galleys that for safeguard of the ships lay opposite to the galleys before Naupactus, having prepared themselves for battle, and with more galleys, so as they were little inferior in number to those of the Athenians, went to an anchor under Irineus of Achaia in Rhypica. The place where they rode was in form like a half moon;

[2] and their land forces they had ready on either side to assist them, both Corinthians and their other confederates of those parts, embattled upon the points of the promontory; and their galleys made up the space between, under the command of Polyanthes, a Corinthian.

[3] Against these the Athenians came up with thirty-three galleys from Naupactus, commanded by Diphilus. The Corinthians at first lay still;

[4] but afterwards when they saw their time, and the signal given, they charged the Athenians and the fight began. They held each other to it long. The Athenians sank three galleys of the Corinthians;

[5] and though none of their own were sunk, yet seven were made unserviceable, which, having encountered the Corinthian galleys a-head, were torn on both sides between the beaks and the oars by the beaks of the Corinthian galleys, made stronger for the same purpose. After they had fought with equal fortune, and so as both sides challenged the victory;

[6] though yet the Athenians were masters of the wrecks, as driven by the wind into the main, and because the Corinthians came not out to renew the fight, they at length parted. There was no chasing of men that fled, nor a prisoner taken on either side; because the Peloponnesians and Corinthians fighting near the land easily escaped, nor was there any galley of the Athenians sunk.

[7] But when the Athenians were gone back to Naupactus, the Corinthians presently set up a trophy as victors, in regard that more of the Athenian galleys were made unserviceable than of theirs, and thought themselves not to have had the worse for the same reason that the others thought themselves not to have had the better. For the Corinthians think they have the better when they have not much the worse; and the Athenians think they have the worse when they have not much the better.

[8] And when the Peloponnesians were gone and their army by land dissolved, the Athenians also set up a trophy in Achaia, as if the victory had been theirs, distant from Erineus, where the Peloponnesians rode, about twenty furlongs. This was the success of that battle by sea.

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.) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] About the same time the Peloponnesians in the twenty-five ships stationed opposite to the squadron at Naupactus to protect the passage of the transports to Sicily , had got ready for engaging, and manning some additional vessels, so as to be numerically little inferior to the Athenians, anchored off Erineus in Achaia in the Rhypic country.

[2] The place off which they lay being in the form of a crescent, the land forces furnished by the Corinthians and their allies on the spot, came up and ranged themselves upon the projecting headlands on either side, while the fleet, under the command of Polyanthes, a Corinthian, held the intervening space and blocked up the entrance.

[3] The Athenians under Diphilus now sailed out against them with thirty-three ships from Naupactus ,

[4] and the Corinthians, at first not moving, at length thought they saw their opportunity, raised the signal, and advanced and engaged the Athenians.

[5] After an obstinate struggle, the Corinthians lost three ships, and without sinking any altogether, disabled seven of the enemy, which were struck prow to prow and had their foreships stoven in by the Corinthian vessels, whose cheeks had been strengthened for this very purpose.

[6] After an action of this even character, in which either party could claim the victory (although the Athenians became masters of the wrecks through the wind driving them out to sea, the Corinthians not putting out again to meet them) the two combatants parted. No pursuit took place, and no prisoners were made on either side; the Corinthians and Peloponnesians who were fighting near the shore escaping with ease, and none of the Athenian vessels having been sunk.

[7] The Athenians now sailed back to Naupactus , and the Corinthians immediately set up a trophy as victors, because they had disabled a greater number of the enemy's ships. Moreover they held that they had not been worsted, for the very same reason that their opponent held that he had not been victorious; the Corinthians considering that they were conquerors, if not decidedly conquered, and the Athenians thinking themselves vanquished, because not decidedly victorious.

[8] However, when the Peloponnesians sailed off and their land forces had dispersed, the Athenians also set up a trophy as victors in Achaia , about two miles and a quarter from Erineus, the Corinthian station.

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Wahrmund, Adolf, translator. Stuttgart: Krais and Hoffmann, 1864.) — 7.34 focus

Die Peloponnesier aber auf den fünf und zwanzig
Schiffen, welche wegen der Ueberfahrt der Lastschiffe nach Sieilien der
Athenischen Flotte bei Naupaktos gegenüber lagen, hatten sich um
dieselbe Zeit zu einer Seeschlacht fertig gemacht und noch einige
Fahrzeuge dazu bemannt, so daß sie an Schiffszahl nur um ein Geringes
schwächer waren, als das athenische Geschwader, und gingen nun bei
Erineon in Achaia, in der Rhypischen Landschaft, vor Anker. Und
da die Küste, vor welcher sie ankerten, halbmondförmig war, so war
auf beiden Seiten befreundetes Fußvolk von den Korinthern und den
dortigen Bundesgenossen auf den vorspringenden Landspitzen
aufgestellt, die Schiffe aber standen in geschlossener Schlachtlinie mitten
inne. Befehlshaber über die Schiffe war der Korinther Polyanthes.
Die Athener aber segelten von Naupaktos mit drei und dreißig
Schiffen^) unter Kommando des Diphilos gegen sie heran. Die
Korinther nun ihrerseits verhielten sich Anfangs ruhig; als es ihnen aber
der richtige Zeitpunkt schien und das Zeichen gegeben wurde, fuhren
sie auf die Athener los und das Seegefecht begann. Eine
beträchtliche Zeit hielten sich beide Theile die Wage. Den Korinthern
wurden drei Schiffe in den Grund gebohrt; von den Athenischen
Fahrzeugen wurde zwar keines versenkt, aber doch sieben seeuntüchtig
gemacht, da sie von den Korinthischen Schissen am Vordertheil
getroffen und aufgerissen worden waren, da wo die Ruderreihen aufhören;
denn jenen hatte man eben in dieser Absicht stärkere Sturmbalken
gegeben. Demnach blieb der Seekampf zwar unentschieden, so daß
beide Theile sich den Sieg zuschrieben, doch hatten sich die Athener
der Schiffstrümmer bemächtigen können, weil der Wind dieselben
seewärts trieb und die Korinther nicht weiter herausliefen. So gingen
denn beide Theile aus einander, und es fand weder eine Verfolgung ¹²
Statt, noch auch wurden von irgend einer Seite Gefangene gemacht; ³
die Korinther und Peloponnesier, da sie ganz in der Nahe des
Landes fochten, konnten sich leicht retten, und den Athenern war kein
Schiff versenkt worden. Während nun die Athener nach Naupaktos
zurückfuhren, stellten die Korinther sogleich ein Siegeszeichen aus,
als ob sie gesiegt hätten, weil sie den Gegnern eine größere Zahl von
Schiffen untüchtig gemacht, und weil sie sich aus eben dem Grund
nicht für geschlagen hielten, aus welchem sich die Athener nicht den
Sieg zuschrieben. Denn die Korinther hielten eS schon für Gewinn,
wenn sie nur nicht gänzlich geschlagen wurden, und die Athener
glaubten sich verkürzt, wenn sie nicht entscheidend gesiegt hatten. Als dann
aber die Peloponnesier abgesegelt waren und das Landheer sich
zerstreut hatte, stellten die Athener auch ihrerseits ein Siegeszeichen an
der Achaischen Küste auf, als ob sie die Schlacht gewonnen hätten,
ungefähr zwanzig Stadien von Erineon entfernt, wo die Korinther
geankert hatten. So war dieser Seekampf ausgegangen.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponèse First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése, Vol. 1-2. Zévort, Marie Charles, translator. Paris: Charpentier, 1852.) — 7.34 focus

XXXIV. Vers le même temps les Péloponnésiens, qui croisaient, avec leurs vingt-cinq vaisseaux, en vue de la flotte athénienne de Naupacte, pour protéger la traversée des bâtiments de charge dirigés vers la Sicile, firentleursdispositions pour un combat naval. Ilséquipèrent de nouveaux vaisseaux, de manière à égaler à peu près le nombre de ceux d’Athènes, et allèrent jeter l’ancre à Érinéos d’Achaïe, dans la campagne de Rhypé. Le golfe où ils mouillèrent a la forme d’un croissant; l’infanterie des Corinthiens et des alliés du pays, envoyée pour seconder la flotte, était rangée en bataille sur les promontoires qui s’élèvent de part et d’autre; la flotte occupait, entre deux, l’entrée du golfe et le fermait. Elle était commandée par Polyanthès, deCorinthe. Les Athéniens, commandés par Diphilos, s’avancèrent ¹ contre eux, de Naupacle, avec trente-trois vaisseaux. D’abôrd les Corinthiens ne firent aucun mouvement; puis, lorsqu’ils crurent le moment favorable, le signal fut hissé; ils fondirent sur les Athéniens, et le combat commença. De part et d’autre la résistance fut longue et opiniâtre; les Corinthiens perdirent trois vaisseaux : du côté des Athéniens, aucun ne fut complètement coulé; mais il y en eut sept mis hors de service. Heurtés proue contre proue, ils avaient eu l’avant défoncé par les vaisseaux corinthiens, armés dans ce but de plus fortes antennes. Le combat fut balancé, de telle sorte que chacun s’attribua la victoire : cependant les Athéniens restèrent maîtres des débris, parce que le vent les poussait au large, et que les Corinthiens ne revinrent pas à la charge. On se sépara. Il n’y eut pas de poursuite, et on ne fit de prisonniers ni d’un côté ni de l’autre : car les Corinthiens et les Péloponnésiens, combattant à portée du rivage, avaient pu se sauver, et, du côté des Athéniens, aucun vaisseau n’avait été submergé. Néanmoins, lorsque les Athéniens furent rentrés à Naupacte, les Corinthiens dressèrent aussitôt un trophée, s’attribuant la victoire pour avoir mis plus de vaisseaux hors de combat. Ils ne se croyaient pas vaincus, par les motifs mêmes qui empêchaient les Athéniens de se croire vainqueurs. En effet les Corinthiens pensaient avoir l’avantage du moment où ils n’éprouvaient pas une enlière défaite; et, aux yeux des Athéniens, c’était avoir le dessous que de ne pas remporter une victoire entière. Après la retraite de la flotte péloponnésienne et la dispersion de l’armée de terre, les Athéniens dressèrent, de leur côté, un trophée, en signe de victoire, sur la côte d’Achaïe, à environ vingt stades d’Érinéos où mouillaient les Corinthiens. Ansi finit ce combat naval.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése. Bétant, Élie-Ami, translator. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1863.) — 7.34 focus

Pendant ce temps, les Péloponésiens qui croisaient avec vingt-cinq vaisseaux devant Naupacte, dans le but de faciliter le départ de leurs transports pour la Sicile, se décidèrent à livrer un combat naval. Ils armèrent encore quelques vaisseaux, de manière à égaler presque le nombre de ceux d’Athènes, et vinrent jeter l’ancre à Ërinéos en Achaïe, dans le territoire de Rhypæ, sur une côte en forme de croissant. L'infanterie des Corinthiens et des alliés du pays s’était réuuie et rangée en bataille sur les deux promontoires; les vaisseaux occupaient tout l’intervalle. Le commandant de cette flotte était le Corinthien Polyanthès. Les Athéniens, sous les ordres de Diphilos, appareillèrent de Naupacte avec trente-trois vaisseaux ¹ et s’avancèrent contre eux. Les Corinthiens se tinrent d’abord immobiles; ensuite, quand le signal fut élevé et que l’instant parut propice, ils fondirent sur les Athéniens et l’action s’engagea. Elle fut longue et opiniâtre. Les Corinthiens perdirent trois vaisseaux ; les Athéniens n’en eurent aucun d’entièrement coulé ; mais sept furent mis hors de service. Heurtés de proue, ils eurent leur avant fracassé par les vaisseaux corinthiens, armes toui exprès de fortes épotides ². Le combat fut indécis, et des deux côtés on s’attribua la victoire. Cependant les Athéniens demeurèrent maîtres des débris, que le vent poussa au large, et les Corinthiens ne revinrent pas à la charge. On se sépara sans qu'il y eût, de part ou d’autre, ni poursuite ni prisonniers. Les Corinthiens, combattant près du rivage, n’avaient pas eu de peine à s’échapper, et, du côté des Athéniens, aucun vaisseau n’avait sombré. Cela n’empêcha pas les Corinthiens, une fois les Athéniens rentrés à Naupacte, d’ériger un trophée et de se prétendre victorieux, pour avoir désempare un plus grand nombre de vaisseaux ennemis. Ils croyaient n’avoir pas été vaincus, par la seule raison que les Athéniens ne s’estimaient pas vainqueurs. Pour les Corinthiens, c’était un succès que de n’avoir pas éprouvé une infériorité marquée; pour les Athéniens, au contraire, c’était une vraie défaite que de n’avoir pas obtenu un avantage déclaré.

Après la retraite de la flotte péloponésienne et de l’armée de terre, les Athéniens, en signe de victoire, dressèrent à leur» tour un trophée sur la côte d’Achaïe, à vingt stades d’Érinéos où avaient mouillé les Corinthiens. Telle fut l’issue de ce combat naval.

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.) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] About this same time the Peloponnesians in the twenty-five ships which lay facing the Athenian fleet at Naupactus in order to cover the passage of the merchant-ships to Sicily, having made preparations for a fight and having manned some additional ships, so that theirs were now but a little fewer than the Athenian ships, anchored off Erineus¹ in Achaea in the district of Rhypae.

[2] The place where they were anchored was crescent-shaped, and the land army, consisting of the Corinthians and the allies from the neighbourhood, having come to their support, was drawn up on either side of them on the projecting headlands, while the ships held the intervening space blocking the entrance; and the commander of the fleet was Polyanthes, a Corinthian.

[3] Against these the Athenians sailed out from Naupactus with thirty-three ships under the command of Diphilus.²

[4] At first the Corinthians kept quiet; then the signal was raised, when the moment seemed favourable, and advancing against the Athenians they engaged them. And for a long time they withstood one another. Three ships of the Corinthians were destroyed;

[5] of the Athenian ships, none was sunk outright, but some seven were rendered unseaworthy, being struck full in front and having their foreships stove in by the Corinthian galleys, which had their catheads³ thicker for this very purpose.

[6] The fight was undecided, so that either side claimed the victory— although the Athenians got possession of the wrecks because the wind drove these out to sea and the Corinthians no longer advanced against them—and they drew apart from one another. And no pursuit was made, nor were prisoners taken on either side; for the Corinthians and Peloponnesians were fighting near the shore and thus easily saved themselves, and on the side of the Athenians no ship was sunk.

[7] But when the Athenians had sailed back to Naupactus, the Corinthians at once set up a trophy in token of victory, because a larger number of the enemy's ships had been disabled by them, and they considered that they had not been beaten for the very reason that made the other side consider themselves not victorious. For the Corinthians regarded themselves as conquerors if they were not decisively beaten, and the Athenians considered themselves defeated if they were not decisively victorious.

[8] When, however, the Peloponnesians had sailed away and their army on land had dispersed, the Athenians also set up a trophy in token of victory, in Achaea at a distance of about twenty stadia from Erineus, where the Corinthians were formerly stationed. And so the sea-fight ended.

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.) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] About the same time, the Peloponnesians in the five and twenty ships, who, to secure the passage of the merchantmen to Sicily, were anchored over against the fleet at Naupactus, having made their preparations for a sea-fight, and having manned some additional ships, so that they were now but little inferior to the Athenian force, stationed themselves off Erineus in Achae, in the territory of Rhypa.

[2] And the place in which they were stationed being in the form of a crescent, their land forces which had come to their assistance from the Corinthians, and from their allies on the spot, were ranged on the projecting headlands on both sides; while the ships occupied the intervening space, blocking up the entrance. The commander of the fleet was Polyanthes, a Corinthian.

[3] The Athenians sailed out against them from Naupactus with three and thirty ships, under the command of Diphilus.

[4] The Corinthians at first remained stationary, but afterwards, having raised their signal for battle, when there appeared to be a favourable opportunity, they advanced upon the Athenians, and engaged them. For a long time they resisted each other;

[5] at length three ships on the side of the Corinthians were destroyed, while on that of the Athenians none was absolutely sunk, but some seven were disabled, being struck prow to prow, and having their foreships stove in by the Corinthian vessels, which were provided with stronger ¹ cheeks than usual for this very purpose.

[6] After fighting on equal terms, so that either party might claim the victory, (though the Athenians, nevertheless, had got possession of the wrecks, through the wind driving them out into the open sea, and the Corinthians no longer advancing against them,) they separated from each other, and there was no pursuit made, nor were any prisoners taken on either side: for the Corinthians and Peloponnesians easily effected their escape, as they were fighting near shore, and no ship on the side of the Athenians went down.

[7] When, however, the Athenians had sailed back to Naupactus, the Corinthians immediately erected a trophy, as conquerors; because they had disabled a greater number of their enemy's ships, and considered that they were not beaten, for the very same reason that the other party considered them not to have conquered: for the Corinthians regarded themselves as having the advantage if they were not decidedly beaten, and the Athenians considered them to be worsted, because they were not decidedly conquerors.

[8] But when the Peloponnesians had sailed off, and their troops had dispersed, the Athenians erected a trophy on their side also, as having gained the victory, in Achaea, at about twenty stades distance from Erineus, where the Corinthians were stationed. And so ended the sea-fight.

Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci First1KGreek (Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci. Haase, Friedrich, translator. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1869.) — 7.34.1 focus

[1] Peloponnesii vero, qui in quinque et viginti navibus erant, qui onerariarum naviam in Siciliam tendentium causa habebant stationes oppositas navibus, quae erant Naupacti, sub idem tempus sese ad navale proelium praeparaverant, aliisque navibus praeter eas, quas jam paratas habebant, instructis, adeo ut Atticis non multo pauciores haberent,ad Erineum, Achaiae oppidum, in agro Rhypico situm, appulsi stationem occupant.

[2] Quoniam autem locus ille, in quo stationem habebant, in lunae speciem curvatus erat, peditatus quidem auxilio profectus tum Corinthiorum, tum sociorum, qui ex illis locis convenerant» utrinque in eminentibus promontoriis dispositus erat, naves vero medium spatium obstructum tenebant; praefectus autem erat classis Polyanthes Corinthius.

[3] Athenienses vero cum tribus et triginta navibus, (praeerat autem Diphilus) Naupacto solventes adversus eos contenderunt.

[4] Et Corinthii principio quidem quiescebant, deinde signo iis dato quum tempus idoneum adesse videbatur, impetu Atheniensibus occurrerunt et proelium committebant. Et diu alteri alteros sustinebant.

[5] Et Corinthiorum quidem tres naves profligantur, Atheniensium vero nulla quidem prorsus est depressa , sed septem fere ad uavigandum inutiles factae sunt, quod Corinthiarum navium adversis proris petitae, et in ipsis frontibus, ubi nullum est remigium, perruptae erant a Corinthiorum navibus, quae ad hoc ipsum crassiores epotidas habebant.

[6] Quum autem proelium commisissent, ancipiti quidem Marte, et ita, ut utrique victoriam sibi vindicarent, Athenienses tamen naufragiis polerentur, quod et ventus in altum ea propulisset, et quod Corinthii impetum non amplius renovarent, alteri ab alteris dirempti sunt, et neutri alteros persecuti, nec ulli ex alterutris capti; nam Corinthii et Peloponnesii facile evadebant, quia proelium prope terram committebant; Atheniensium vero nulla navis est de- pressa.

[7] Quum autem Athenienses se Naupactum recepissent, Corinthii statim tropseom ot victores erexerunt, quod plures bostifium navium ad navigationem jitflo» «d-didisaent, et rati se propter hoc ipsum vicisse, prepter qnod neutri victores essent; nam et Corinthii se victores credUe-runt, nisi longe victi essent, et Athenienses existimabant ac victos esse, nisi longe viciseenL

[8] Quum autem Peloponnesii discessissent, et peditatus dilapsus esset, Atho menses et ipsi tanquam victores tropaeum in Achaia statuerunt, quod aberat ab Erineo, ubi Corinthii suae daasb stationem habebant, viginti ferine stadiis. Atque pugna quidem navalis hunc exitum habebat.

La storia di Tucidide First1KGreek (Thucydides. Della storia di Tucidide volgarizzata libri otto. Anonymous translator. Florence: Tipografia Galileiana, 1835.) — 7.34 focus

Intanto i Peloponnesi e quelli che circa questo tempo colle venticinque navi stavano aringati di faccia alla flotta di Naupatto per proteggere il passaggio delle onerarie in Sicilia , si preparavano a combattere. E avendo armate delle altre navi, tanto che erano poco meno di quelle ateniesi, presero stazione ad E rineo di Acaia nel distretto di Ripe, in nn luogo falcato a guisa di luna. La fanteria de’Corintii e degli alleati venuti in rinforzo era schierata ai due lati su le due punte che sporgono in mare, e le navi sotto il comando di Poliante corintio tramezzavano serrandone l’ingresso. Gli Ateniesi vogarono sopra loro da Naupatto con trentatrè navi capitanate da Diiilo ; ed i Corintii che da primo stavano fermi, quando parve lor tempo, alzato il segnale, mossero impetuosamente contro gli Ateniesi, ed appiccarono la battaglia. Lunga fu da ambe le parti la resistenza ; tre navi dei Corintii vi furono sfragellate; gli Ateniesi nou ne ebbero veruna del tutto sommersa, ma sette furono ridotte inservibili, perchè, urtate di fronte nella prora dalle navi corintie (che per questo appunto erano fornite di più grossi orecchioni), rimasero sfasciate nella parte anteriore ove non son remi. E per quanto combattessero con egual vigore, talché entrambi si attribuirono la vittoria , nondimeno gli Ateniesi s’impadronirono dei rottami delle navi, e poi spinti dal vento ueiralto , ed i Corintii non movendo più contro loro, le due armate si separarono , senza inseguirsi e senza far prigionieri. Imperciocché i Corintii ed i Peloponnesi che combattevano dalla parte di terra agevolmente si salvarono, e nessuna nave fu colata a fondo dalla parte degli Ateniesi. E tornati questi a Naupatto, i Corintii ersero subito il trofeo come vincitori perchè aveano rese inservibili un maggior numero di navi nemiche ; giudicando di non essere stati vinti per quella medesima ragione che gli altri di non aver vinto : attesoché i Corintii reputavano vittoria il non essere stati battuti vistosamente , e gli Ateniesi stimavano perdila la vittoria non completa. Parliti che furono i Peloponnesi e sbandatasi la loro fanterìa, gli Ateniesi a neh’essi, come vincitori, alzarono nell’Acaia un trofeo distante circa venti stadii da E rineo, ove aveano preso stazione i Corintii. Tale fu l’esito di questa battaglia navale.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 7.34

Theodor Braun (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition First1KGreek

Stable identifiers