Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 8.100

[1] Thrasyllus having been advertised of his departure from Miletus, he also puts to sea from Samos with five-and-fifty sail, hasting to be in the Hellespont before him.

[2] But hearing that he was in Chios and conceiving that he would stay there, he appointed spies to lie in Lesbos and in the continent over against it, that the fleet of the enemy might not remove without his knowledge; and he himself, going to Methymna, commanded provision to be made of meal and other necessaries, intending, if they stayed there long, to go from Lesbos and invade them in Chios. Withal, because Eressos was revolted from Lesbos, he purposed to go thither with his fleet;

[3] if he could, to take it in. For the most potent of the Methymnaean exiles had gotten into their society about fifty men of arms out of Cume and hired others out of the continent, and with their whole number in all three hundred, having for their leader Anaxarchus, a Theban, chosen in respect of their descent from the Thebans, first assaulted Methymna. But beaten in the attempt by the Athenian garrison that came against them from Mytilene and again in a skirmish without the city driven quite away, they passed by the way of the mountain to Eressos, and caused it to revolt.

[4] Thrasyllus therefore intended to go thither with his galleys and to assault it. At his coming he found Thrasybulus there also before him with five galleys from Samos, for he had been advertised of the outlaws coming over;

[5] but being too late to prevent them, he went to Eressos and lay before it at anchor. Hither also came two galleys of Methymna that were going home from the Hellespont; so that they were in all threescore and seven sail, out of which they made an army, intending with engines, or any other way they could, to take Eressos by assault.

[1] Meanwhile Thrasyllus had heard of his having put out from Miletus , and immediately set sail with fifty-five ships from Samos , in haste to arrive before him in the Hellespont .

[2] But learning that he was at Chios , and expecting that he would stay there, he posted scouts in Lesbos and on the continent opposite to prevent the fleet moving without his knowing it, and himself coasted along to Methymna , and gave orders to prepare meal and other necessaries, in order to attack them from Lesbos in the event of their remaining for any length of time at Chios .

[3] Meanwhile he resolved to sail against Eresus, a town in Lesbos which had revolted, and, if he could, to take it. For some of the principal Methymnian exiles had carried over about fifty heavy infantry, their sworn associates, from Cuma , and hiring others from the continent, so as to make up three hundred in all, chose Anaxander, a Theban, to command them, on account of the community of blood existing between the Thebans and the Lesbians, and first attacked Methymna . Baulked in this attempt by the advance of the Athenian guards from Mitylene , and repulsed a second time in a battle outside the city, they then crossed the mountain and effected the revolt of Eresus.

[4] Thrasyllus accordingly determined to go there with all his ships and to attack the place. Meanwhile Thrasybulus had preceded him thither with five ships from Samos , as soon as he heard that the exiles had crossed over, and coming too late to save Eresus, went on and anchored before the town.

[5] Here they were joined also by two vessels on their way home from the Hellespont , and by the ships of the Methymnians, making a grand total of sixty-seven vessels; and the forces on board now made ready with engines and every other means available to do their utmost to storm Eresus.

Thrasyllos aber, sobald er erfahren hatte, daß jener von'
Milet abgefahren sei, ging ebenfalls sogleich von Samos mit
fünfuudfünfzig Schiffen in See und beeilte sich, um wo möglich noch
vor jenem in den Hellespont einzufahren. Als er aber hörte, daß
jener zu Chios sei, so stellte er, in der Meinung, derselbe werde dort
länger verweilen, auf Lesbos und dem gegenüberliegenden Festland
Späher auf, damit eS ihm nicht entgehe, wenn die feindlichen Schiffe
irgendwohin steuern sollten; er selbst aber fuhr nach Methymne und
befahl, hier Mehl und die anderen Lebensmittel in Bereitschaft zu
halten, damit er, falls längere Zeit verginge, von Lesbos aus
Angriffe auf Chios machen könne. Zugleich wollte er auch vor Eresos
auf Lesbos segeln, welche Stadt abgefallen war, um sie wo möglich
einzunehmen. Es hatten nämlich Verbannte der Methymnäer, welche
zu den Reichsten und Vornehmsten gehörten, von Kyme gegen fünfzig
freiwillige Schwerbewaffnete herübergebracht und auf dem Festland
Mannschaft in Sold genommen, Alle zusammen gegen dreihundert.
Unter Führung des Thebaners AnaxandroS, welcher der
Stammverwandtschaft wegen 6") zu ihnen gekommen, machten sie zuerst einen
Angriff auf Methymne. Bei diesem Versuche aber wurden sie durch ¹
die Athener, welche schon vorher von Mytilene als Besatzung gekom- ²
men waren, zurückgeworfen und dann nochmals auf offenem Felde
geschlagen, worauf sie sich durch das Gebirg zogen und Eresos zum
Abfall brachten. Thrasyllos erschien nun mit sämmtlichen Schiffen .
vor dieser Stadt und dachte sie zu erstürmen. Vor ihm war aber
auch sehon Thrasybulos mit fünf Schiffen von Samos her daselbst
erschienen, als ihm jene Ueberfahrt der Verbannten gemeldet worden
war. Da er aber schon zu spät kam, so war er dann vor Eresos
gegangen und hielt die Stadt blokirt. Auch vom Hellespont her
stießen zwei Schiffe zu ihnen, die auf der Heimfahrt begriffen waren,
und dazu noch die der Methymnäer. Im Ganzen waren
siebenundsechzig Schiffe versammelt, mit deren Mannschaft sie unter
Anwendung der Maschinen und aller anderen Mittel Eresos kräftigst zn
bestürmen gedachten, um es wo möglich zu nehmen.

C. Thrasylle, dès qu’il apprit son départ de Milet, mit lui-même à la voile sur-le-champ, et se porta rapidement de Samos vers l’Hellespont, afin de n’y être pas prévenu par l’ennemi. Informé de sa présence à Chio, et pensant bien qu’il y séjournerait, il plaça des vigies à Lesbos et sur le continent en face de Chio, pour que la flotte ne pût faire le moindre mouvement à son insu. Lui-même se rendit à Méthymne où il ordonna de réunir des blés et des approvisionnements de tout genre, dans le dessein de faire des courses de Lesbos sur Chio, si les choses traînaient en longueur. Comme d’ailleurs Eressos, dans l’île de Lesbos, avait fait défection, il voulait y aborder et s’en rendre maître, s’il était possible. Des bannis de Méthymne, appartenant aux plus riches familles, s’étaient procuré à Cymé, grâce à leurs relations d’amitié, une cinquantaine d’hoplites, en avaient soudoyé d’autres sur le continent et réunissaient environ trois cents hommes. Anaxandros de Thèbes les commandait, en raison de sa parenté avec eux. D’abord ils attaquèrent Méthymne; mais la tentative échoua, grâce à l’arrivée de la garnison athénienne de Mytilène. Vaincus dans un second combat et rejetés hors du pays, ils traversèrent la montagne et allèrent insurger Eressos. Thrasylle lit donc voile contre cette place, avec l’intention de l’attaquer. Déjà Thrasybulle l’y avait précédé avec cinq vaisseaux qu’il amena de Samos à la première nouvelle de cette expédition des bannis. Mais, n’ayant pu prévenir l’insurrection, il avait, à son arrivée, jeté l’ancre devant Eressos, où il fut rejoint par deux bâtiments qui retournaient de l’Hellespont à Athènes et par la flotte de Méthymne. Soixante-sept vaisseaux se trouvant ainsi réunis devant la place, on se disposa à faire dresser par les troupes tirées de la flotte des machines contre les murs, et à tout mettre en oeuvre pour s’en emparer.

Dès que Thrasylos le sut parti de Milet, il quitta lui-même Samos avec cinquante-cinq navires, et fit diligence afin de ne pas être devancé par lui dans THellespont. Informé que Mindaros était à Chios, et croyant qu’il y séjournerait, il établit des vigies à Lesbos et sur le continent voisin, afin d’être prévenu du moindre mouvement que ferait la flotte ennemie. Lui-même se rendit à Méthymne, où il ordonna de préparer de la farine et d’autres substances alimentaires, dans le dessein de diriger des courses de Lesbos contre Ghios, pour peu que la guerre traînât en longueur. De plus, comme Ërésos dans l’île de Lesbos avait fait défection, il voulait se porter contre cette ville et, s’il se pouvait, la détruire. Il faut savoir que les plus riches bannis de Méthymne avaient fait venir de Cymé , grâcè à leurs affiliations, une cinquantaine d’hoplites, levé des mercenaires sur le continent, et réuni ainsi trois cents hommes, dont ils avaient donné le commandement au Thébain Anaxandros, à cause de la parenté des deux peuples ¹ . Ils avaient d’abord assailli Méthymne ; mais l’entreprise avait manqué par un mouvement de la garnison athénienne de Mytilène. Vaincus dans un second combat et rejetés au dehors, ils avaient franchi la montagne et fait révolter Érésos. Thrasylos commença donc par s’y rendre avec toute sa flotte et fit ses dispositions d’attaque. Thrasybulos l’y avait précédé avec cinq vaisseaux partis de Samos à la première nouvelle du passage des bannis ; mais, arrivé trop tard, il s’était contenté de mettre le blocus devant Ërésos. Les Athéniens furent aussi ralliés par deux vaisseaux, venant de l’Hellespont et par desbâtiments de Méthymne, ce qui porta l’effectif de leur flotte à soixante-sept voiles. A Laide des troupes qui étaient à bord, ils se disposèrent à enle-. ver Ërésos avec des machines et par tous les moyens possibles.

[1] When Thrasyllus heard that Mindarus had put to sea from Miletus, he also sailed at once from Samos with fifty-five ships, making all haste that the enemy might not enter the Hellespont before him.

[2] But learning that Mindarus was at Chios and believing that he could keep him there, he posted scouts both at Lesbos and on the mainland opposite, in order that, if the enemy's ships should make a move in any direction, he should have knowledge of it; as for himself, he sailed along the coast to Methymna, and gave orders to prepare barley-meal and general provisions, with the idea that, if a considerable time elapsed, he would use Lesbos as a base for attacks upon Chios. At the same time, since Eresus in Lesbos had revolted, he wished to sail against it and take it if possible.

[3] For some exiles who had been driven out of Methymna, and those the most influential citizens, had brought over from Cyme about fifty hoplites that had been taken into their clubs, had hired still others from the mainland, and now with these troops, about three hundred in all, commanded by Anaxarchus a Theban on the strength of kinship, ¹ had made an attack upon Methymna first; and when they had been foiled in this attempt by the timely arrival of the Athenian garrison in Mytilene, and had been again repulsed in a battle fought outside the walls, they had made their way over the mountain and had brought about the revolt of Eresus.

[4] Thrasyllus therefore now sailed thither with all his fleet, intending to assault the town. Thrasybulus also had already arrived there from Samos with five ships, after word had been brought to him of the crossing of the exiles; but being too late to save Eresus, he had merely anchored there on his arrival.

[5] The Athenian fleet was likewise reinforced by two vessels that were returning home from the Hellespont and by five ² Methymnaean ships, so that there were present in all sixty-five ships. It was with the troops from these ships that they were preparing to take Eresus by assault, with the aid of engines or in any way they could.

[1] When Thrasylus heard of his having put out from Miletus, he himself also set sail straightway from Samos with five and fifty ships, hurrying on to prevent his sailing into the Hellespont before him.

[2] But on finding that he was at Chios, and expecting that he would stay there, he posted scouts both in Lesbos and on the mainland opposite, that in case of the ships stirring in any direction they might not do so unobserved; while he himself coasted along to Methymna, and gave orders for preparing meal and other necessaries, with a view of advancing from Lesbos to attack them at Chios, if any length of time should be spent there. At the same time, since Eresus in Lesbos had revolted, he wished to sail against and take it, if he could.

[3] For some exiles of the Methymnaeans, and those the most influential, having carried over from Cuma about fifty heavy-armed men who had been associated with them, and hired others from the continent, with three hundred in all, of whom Alexander, a Theban, took the command on the strength of his connexion with them, made an attack on Methymna first; and when beaten off from the attempt by means of the Athenian garrison troops which had advanced from Mytilene, and again repulsed in an engagement outside of the town, made their way over the mountain, and procured the revolt of Eresus.

[4] Thrasylus therefore sailed against it with all his ships, intending to assault it. Thrasybulus, too, had arrived there before him with five ships from Samos, on receiving tidings of the exiles thus crossing over; but being too late, he went to Eresus, and lay at anchor before it.

[5] They were also joined by two vessels on their return home from the Hellespont, and by those of the Methymnaeans; and so there were present, in all, seven and sixty ships, with the troops of which they made their preparations for taking Eresus by storm, if they could, with the aid of engines, or in any way whatever.

[1] Thrasylus vero e Samo, quum eum Mileto discessisse intellexisset, ipse quoque solvebat cum quinque et quinquaginta navibus, properans, ne ille ocius in Hellespontum ingrederetur.

[2] Sed quum sensisset, eum apud Cbium esse, rallis fore, ut illic se contineret, speculatores quidem et in Lesbo et in opposita continente collocavit, si forte naves aliquo proficiscerentur, ne laterent, ipse vero cum classe Methymnam profectus, farinam et cetera necessaria apparari jussit, ut, si roajor mora fieret, ex Lesbo Chium infesta classe petiturus.

[3] Simul etiam quoniam Eressus in Lesbo defectionem fecerat, volebat adversus eam profectus, si posset, expugnare. Nam Methymnaeorum exsules, qui non minimae auctoritatis erant, quum et Cuma ad quinquaginta gravis armaturae milites ejusdem sodalicii socios trans-portasseot, et e continente alios mercede conduxissent, cunctis ad trecentos, Anaxarcho Thebano propter cognationem duce delecto, Methymnam primum adorti erant et de eo conata dejecti propter Atheniensium praesidium Mytilo* progressum, rursus praelio extra urbem repulsi, per montem itinere facto, Eressum ad defectionem compulerant

[4] Thrasylus igitur profectus adversus eam cnm tota classe impetum facere cogitabat. Sed et ante eum Thrasybulus cum quinque navibus e Samo illuc venerat, quum de boc exsulum trajecta nuntius iis allatus esset; quum autem serius venisset, adversus Eressum profectus, stationem contra eam habebat.

[5] Accessere praeterea duae quaedam naves , ex Hellesponto domum redeuntes, et Methymnaee; et j omnino naves aderant septem et sexaginta, ex quibus exercitu exposito parabant Eressum per vim et machinis et qubvi* ratione, si posseot, expugnare.

Appena seppe Trasillo la partenza di Mindaro da Mileto, mosse anch’egli da Samo con cinquantacinque navi, affrettandosi, per non esser prevenuto, ad arrivar nelr Ellesponto. Ma sentendo che Mindaro era a Chio, e stimando che vi si tratterrebbe, collocò degli speculatori a Lesbo e sull’opposto lido, acciocché, se mai le navi nemiche movessero in qual che luogo, fossero osservate ; ed egli audò costeggiando fino a Me ti ama , ed ordinò provvisioni di farine e di altri viveri col fine di far delle sortite da Lesbo contro Chio , qualora l’ammiraglio peloponnesio vi si trattenesse più a lungo. Voleva inoltre vedere se navigando ad Ereso già ribellata da Lesbo potesse espugnarla. Conciossiachè alcuni fuorusciti di Metimna , non già delPinfima classe, avendo condotti da Cuma circa cinquanta soldati di grave armatura affezionati a loro per ispirito di parte, e presi a soldo alcuni di terraferma, tanto che in tutti furono da trecento , eran venuti primieramente a dar Tassalo) a Metimna, capitanati da Anassarco tebano per affezione di parentela. E ributtali indietro dal presidio ateniese uscito da Mitilene, e nella battaglia occorsa cacciati nuovamente fuor di città, si erano condotti per la via del monte ad Ereso e Favean fatta ribellare. Laonde Trasillo recatosi per mare colà pensava di assalirla colle navi, e prima di lui vi era con cinque navi arrivato da Samo Trasibulo, appena si seppe la nuova del tragitto di que’banditi a Metimna. Ma non essendo stato a tempo a raggiuguerli, venne ad Ereso e fermossi sull’ancore. Vi si aggiunsero poi altre due navi che dall9Ellesponto tornavano a casa, ed anche quelle di Metimna. Talché in tutte vi se ne trovavano presenti sessantasette; e colle truppe che aveano a bordo, gli Ateniesi si preparavano ad espugnare Ereso a viva forza , o con le macchine od in qualunque altra maniera.