Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 8.6

[1] Calligeitus, the son of Laophon, a Magarean, and Timagoras the son of Athenagoras, a Cyzicene, both banished their own cities and abiding with Pharnabazus, the son of Pharnaces, came also about the same time to Lacedaemon, sent by Pharnabazus to procure a fleet for the Hellespont, that he also, if he could, might cause the Athenian cities in his province to revolt for his tribute's sake, and be the first to draw the Lacedaemonians into league with the king, just the same things that were desired before by Tissaphernes.

[2] Now Pharnabazus and Tissaphernes treating apart, there was great canvassing at Lacedaemon between the one side that persuaded to send to lonia and Chios and the other that would have the army and fleet go first into the Hellespont. But the Lacedaemonians indeed approved best by much of the business of the Chians and of Tissaphernes.

[3] For with these co-operated Alcibiades, hereditary guest and friend of Endius, the ephore of that year, in the highest degree; insomuch as in respect of that guesthood, Alcibiades' family received a Laconic name. For Endius was called Endius Alcibiadis.

[4] Nevertheless the Lacedaemonians sent first one Phrynis, a man of those parts, to Chios to see if the galleys they had were so many as they reported and whether the city were otherwise so sufficient as it was said to be. And when the messenger brought back word that all that had been said was true, they received both the Chians and the Erythraeans presently into their league and decreed to send them forty galleys, there being at Chios, from such places as the Chians named, no less than sixty already.

[5] And of these at first they were about to send out ten, with Melancridas for admiral; but afterwards, upon occasion of an earthquake, for Melancridas they sent Chalcideus, and instead of ten galleys they went about the making ready of five only in Laconia. So the winter ended, and nineteenth year of this war written by Thucydides.

[1] While the Chians and Tissaphernes thus joined to effect the same object, about the same time Calligeitus, son of Laophon, a Megarian, and Timagoras, son of Athenagoras, a Cyzicene, both of them exiles from their country and living at the court of Pharnabazus, son of Pharnaces, arrived at Lacedaemon upon a mission from Pharnabazus, to procure a fleet for the Hellespont ; by means of which, if possible, he might himself effect the object of Tissaphernes' ambition, and cause the cities in his government to revolt from the Athenians, and so get the tribute, and by his own agency obtain for the king the alliance of the Lacedaemonians.

[2] The emissaries of Pharnabazus and Tissaphernes treating apart, a keen competition now ensued at Lacedaemon as to whether a fleet and army should be sent first to Ionia and Chios , or to the Hellespont .

[3] The Lacedaemonians, however, decidedly favoured the Chians and Tissaphernes, who were seconded by Alcibiades, the family friend of Endius, one of the Ephors for that year. Indeed, this is how their house got its Laconic name, Alcibiades being the family name of Endius.

[4] Nevertheless the Lacedaemonians first sent to Chios Phrynis, one of the Perioeci, to see whether they had as many ships as they said, and whether their city generally was as great as was reported; and upon his bringing word that they had been told the truth, immediately entered into alliance with the Chians and Erythraeans, and voted to send them forty ships, there being already, according to the statement of the Chians, not less than sixty in the island.

[5] At first the Lacedaemonians meant to send ten of these forty themselves, with Melanchridas their admiral; but afterwards, an earthquake having occurred, they sent Chalcideus instead of Melanchridas, and instead of the ten ships equipped only five in Laconia . And the winter ended, and with it ended also the nineteenth year of this war of which Thucydides is the historian.

Die.Chicr also und Tissaphernes betrieben gemeinsam, die. ¹
selbe Sache. Kalligeitos aber, der Sohn des Laophon, uns. Megara
und Timagoras,.des Athenagoras Sohn, aus KyzikoS, die, beide aus
ihrer Heimak'verbannt. bei Pharnabazos, dem Sohne des Pharnakes,
wohnten, kai^en',,von Pharnabazos gesendet,, um dieselbe Zeit nach .
Lakedämon ,/um hier zu bewirken, daß^Schiffe nach dem Hellespont
gesendet würden. Dabei hatte Pharnabazos,dieselben Gedanken wie
TissapherneS, nämlich, wenn er könnte, die Städte in seiner
Statthalterschaft den Athenern abwendig zu.machen, der Steuern wegen,
und durch seine Bemühung dem Könige die Bundesgenossenschaft der
Lakedämonier zu verschaffen. Da aber beide Theile, die Gesandten
des Pharnabazos nämlich und die des Tissaphernes, ihre Sache
gesondert betrieben,-' so entstand in Lakedämon unter ihnen em großer
Streit, da die Einen zuerst nach Jonien und Chios, die Ändern nach
dem Hellespont Schiffe und. Truppen geschickt haben wollten. ^Die
Lakedämonier selbst aber unterstützten vielmehr das Anliegen der
Chier und des'Tissapherneö', denn es war für diese auch Alkibiades
thätig, der mit dem damaligen Ephoren Indios von den Vorfahren
her in engster gastfreundlicher.Beziehung stand, daher ^denn auch die
Glieder ihres Hauses eben dieser Gastfreundschaft wegen einen
Lakonischen Namen erhielten: Endios nämlich hieß Sohn des
AlkibiadeS 5). "/Gleichwohl sandten die Lakedämonier zuerst einen
Kundschafter nach,Chios. den Phrynis, einen Mann^aus den Beisitzern,-5
ob sie nämlich.wirklich so viel Schiffe hätten,-wie fie?sagten, und ihr
Gemeinwesen.auch, sonst so mächtig wäre, wie der Rufvon ihnen
ging. Als nun dieser zurückmeldete,, daß in Wahrheit eS sich so
verhalte, wie jene gesagt, so nahmen sie die Chier und Erythräer all-;
sogleich als Bundesgenossen auf und beschlossen^ ihnen vierzig Schiffe
zu senden, da nach dem, was die Chier sagten, bei ihnen selbst nicht
weniger als sechzig vorhanden. wären. Und^für's.Erste wollten sie
selbst deren zehn absenden und, dazu den Mela^kridas,- ihren
Flottenbesehliger; als aber dann ein Erdbeben eintrat 6), so schickten sie an ^{2 3}
des Melankridas Statt den Chalkideus ?), und rüsteten anstatt der
zehn Schiffe'nür fünf auf Lakonischem Gebiete aus.. ^ ^ ^ -

VI. Sur ces entrefaites, arrivèrent aussi à Lacédémone Calligitos, de Mégare, fils de Laophon, et Timagoras, de Cyzique, fils d’Athénagoras, tous deux exilés de leur patrie, et fixés auprès de Pharnabaze, fils de Pharnace. Pharnabaze les envoyait pour réclamer l’envoi d'une flotte dans l’Hellespont; il aspirait de son côté, comme Tissaphernes, à détacher des Athéniens les villes de son gouvernement, pour en percevoir les tributs, et à se faire l’intermédiaire d’une alliance entre les Lacédémoniens et le Roi. Comme ces deux négociations distinctes se poursuivaient séparément au nom de Pharnabaze et au nom de Tissaphernes, leurs agents mettaient tout en oeuvre de part et d’autre auprès des Lacédémoniens pour obtenir l'envoi d’une flotte et d’une armée, et demandaient la préférence, ceux-ci pour l’Ionie et Chio, ceux-là pour l’Hellespont. Mais les ouvertures de Tissaphernes et de Chio furent accueillies beaucoup plus favorablement par les Lacédémoniens, surtout étant soutenues par Alcibiade, que des liens d’hospitalité formés par ses ancêtres unissaient étroitement à l’éphore Eudios. C’était même à ces relations d’hospitalité que tenait l’adoption dans sa famille du nom d’Alcibiade, qui était aussi celui du père d’Eudios ¹ . Toutefois les Lacédémoniens envoyèrent d’abord à Chio un périoece ² du nom de Phrynis, re- ^{3 4} connaître si le nombre des vaisseaux répondait aux déclarations faites, et si, pour le reste, les ressources de la ville étaient en rapport avec ce qu’on en publiait. Sur l’avis que tous les rapports étaient parfaitement exacts, ils firent alliance aussitôt avec Chio et Erythrée, et décrétèrent l’envoi de quarante bâtiments pour aller rallier la flotte de Chio qui, suivant les envoyés, ne s’élevait pas à moins de soixante vaisseaux. Dix de ces bâtiments devaient prendre les devants sous le commandement de Mélancridas. Mais, un tremblement de terre étant survenu, Mélancridas fut remplacé par Chalcidéus, et l’on n’équipa en Laconie que cinq vaisseaux au lieu de dix. Avec l’hiver finit la dix-neuvième année de cette guerre, dont Thucydide a écrit l’histoire.

Sur ces entrefaites , Calligitos fils de Laophon de Mé-gare, et Timagoras fils d’Athénagoras de Cyzique, tous deux exilés de leur patrie et réfugiés auprès de Pharnabaze fils de Pharnacès, arrivèrent à Lacédémone avec mission d’obtenir pour ce satrape l’envoi d’une flotte dans l’Hellespont. Il aspirait, ainsi que Tissapherne, à détacher des Athéniens les villes de son gouvernement, pour faciliter la perception des tributs, et à négocier une alliance entre le roi et les Lacédémoniens. Tandis que les députés de Pharnabaze et ceux de Tissapherne agissaient ainsi chacun de leur côté, il y eut une grande lutte à Lacédémone, les uns voulant qu’on envoyât d’abord une flotte et une armée en Ionie et à Chios, les autres dans l’Hellespont. Cependant les Lacédémoniens, à une grande majorité, accueillirent de préférence les propositions de Chios et de Tissapherne ; et cela devait être, car elles étaient appuyées par Alcibiade que d’anciennes relations d’hospitalité unissaient à l’éphore Endios — c’est même à cause de ces relations que sa famille avait adopté le nom lacédémonien d’Alcibiade, déjà porté par le père d’Endios ¹ . Les Lacédémoniens envoyèrent préalablement à Chios un périèque nommé Phrynis, pour s’assurer s’il y avait effectivement dans cette ville autant de vaisseaux qu’on prétendait, et si le reste de ses ressources était d’accord avec la renommée. Sur le rapport favorable de cet envoyé, les Lacédémoniens reçurent aussitôt dans leur alliance les villes de Chios et d’Ërythres, et décrétèrent l’expédition de «quarante vaisseaux, nombre suffisant, puisque les Chiotes affirmaient n’en avoir pas moins de soixante. On devait d’abord en faire partir dix avec le navarque 'Mélancridas ; mais un tremblement de terre étant survenu ² , Mélancridas fut remplacé par Chalcidéus, et le nombre des vaisseaux équipés en Laconie réduit à cinq. Là-dessus l’biver finit, ainsi que la dix-neuvième année de la guerre que Thucydide a racontée.

[1] About the same time Calligeitus son of Laophon, a Megarian, and Timagoras son of Athenagoras, a Cyzicene, both being fugitives from their own countries and living at the court of Pharnabazus ¹ son of Pharnaces, came to Lacedaemon. They had been sent by Pharnabazus to bring ships to the Hellespont, in order that he too, just as Tissaphernes was eager to do, might, if possible, cause the cities in his own province to revolt from the Athenians on account of the tribute, and by his own efforts secure for the King the alliance of the Lacedaemonians.

[2] As the two sets of envoys, those from Pharnabazus and those from Tissaphernes, were negotiating these matters separately, there was much rivalry among the people of Lacedaemon, one side trying to persuade the people to send ships and troops to Ionia and Chios first, the other to the Hellespont.

[3] The Lacedaemonians, however, were by far more inclined to accept the proposals of the Chians and Tissaphernes. For Alcibiades was cooperating with them, being an hereditary friend of the ephor Endius and on the most intimate terms with him. (This was, in fact, the reason why their house had acquired its Laconian name; for Endius was called Endius son of Alcibiades). ²

[4] But in spite of their inclination, the Lacedaemonians first sent Phrynis, one of the Perioeci, to Chios to see whether the Chians had as many ships as they claimed, and whether in other respects the power of the city was equal to the representations made. When he brought back word that what they had heard was true, they at once made the Chians and the Erythraeans allies, and voted to send them forty ships, there being, from what the Chians said, no fewer than sixty already there.

[5] And at first they were going to send them ten of these under the command of Melanchridas, who was their admiral; but afterwards, when an earthquake occurred, instead of Melanchridas they sent Chalcideus, and instead of ten ships they made ready five in Laconia. So the winter ended, and with it the nineteenth year of the war of which Thucydides wrote the history.

[1] About the same time Calligitus son of Laophon, a Megarean, and Timagoras son of Athenagoras, a Cyzicene, both of them exiles from their country, and living at the court of Pharnabazus son of Pharnaces, arrived at Lacedaemon, being sent by Pharnabazus to bring a fleet despatched to the Hellespont; and that he himself, if possible, might, for the sake of the tribute, cause the cities in his government to revolt from the Athenians—the same object as Tissaphernes had in view—and gain for the king, by his own agency, the alliance of the Lacedaemonians.

[2] While these negotiations were severally carried on by each party, by the emissaries both of Pharnabazus and of Tissaphernes, there was great competition between them at Lacedaemon, the one striving to prevail on them to send a navy and army to Ionia and Chios first, the other, to the Hellespont.

[3] The Lacedaemonians, however, acceded with a very decided preference to the application of the Chians and Tissaphernes. For Alcibiades was also co-operating with them, being the hereditary and very intimate friend of Endius, one of the ephors; for which reason also his family had a Lacedaemonian name, in consequence of this friendship; ¹

[4] for Endius was called However, the Lacedaemonians first sent to Chios Phrynis, one of the Perioeci, to ascertain whether they had as many ships as they said, and whether their city corresponded with the representations of its high character: and when he brought them word back that what they heard was true, they straightway took the Chians and Erythraeans into alliance, and resolved to send them forty ships, as there were already there (according to the statement of the Chians) not less than sixty.

[5] Of these they themselves at first intended to send ten, with Melancridas, who was their high admiral; but afterwards, an earthquake having occurred, instead of Melancridas they determined to send Chalcideus, and instead of the ten ships to equip but five in Laconia. And thus the winter ended, and the nineteenth year of this war of which Thucydides wrote the history.

[1] Calligetus autem, Laophontis filius, Megarensis, et Timagoras, Athenagorae filius, Cyzicenus, sua uterque patria extorris, qui apud Pharnabazum, Pharnacis filium, habitabant, circa idem tempus venerunt Lacedaemonem a Pharnabazo missi, ut naves in Hellespontum transportarent, et ut ipse, si posset, id quod Tissaphernes contendebat, et civitates in sua provincia silas ab Atheniensibus alienaret propter tributa, et sua opera Lacedaemoniorum societatem regi conciliaret.

[2] Quum autem haec separatim utrique agerent, et qui a Pharnabazo, et qui a Tissapherne missi erant, ingens concertatio apud Lacedaemonios erat, quum alteri, ut in Ioniam et Chium, alteri ut in Hellespontum classis et exercitus prius mitteretur persuadere studerent.

[3] Lacedaemonii tamen Chiorum et Tissaphernis postulata multo lubenlius admiserunt; eos enim etiam Alcibiades adjuvabat, qui Endio, tunc ephori magistratum gerenti, eral hospes paternus conjunctissimus, unde etiam nomen Laconicum familia illorum propter hospitium obtinuit; Endius enim Alcibiadis appellabatur.

[4] Lacedaemonii tamen prius Phrvniu, hominem municipem, in Chium miserunt, ut exploraret, num et naves tot ipsis essent, quot dicebant, et ceteris rebus civitas illa haud iuferior esset fama, quae de ea ferretur; et quum ille iis renuntiasset, haec vera esse, qua· audirent, et Chios et Erythraeos confestim in societalcn» receperunt, et quadraginta naves iis mittendas decreverunt, quod non minus, quam sexaginta, illic essent comparatae, unde Chii dicebant.

[5] Atque primum quidem decea harum erant missuri, et Melancridam, qui iis nauarchus erat; deinde quum terrae motus extilisset, pro Melancritli Chalcidcum mittebant, et pro decem navibus quinque in

Laconica praeparabant. Et haec hiems finiebatur, hujusque belli, quod Thucydides conscripsit, undevicesimus annus finiebatur.

Ma Calligeto di Laofonte megarese, e Timagora di Atenagora ciziceno, ambidue esuli dalla propria patria e ricovrati presso Farnabazo di Farnabaco, giungono in quella occasione a Sparta, ove gli avea mandati Farnabazo per ottenere che i Lacedemoni conducessero delle navi nell' Ellesponto, acciocché egli potesse (siccome desiderava ardentemente anche Tissaferne) ribellare agli Ateniesi le città della sua provincia per cavarne i tributi, ed acciocché per opera sua si stringesse sollecitamente alleanza fra il re ed i Lacedemoni. Ora siccome i legati di Farnabazo e quelli di Tissaferne trattavano separatamente delle medesime cose, surse gran disputa fra quei di Sparta , persuadendo gli uni che si spedisse prima la flotta nell' Ionia ed a Chio, gli altri nell’Ellesponto. Tuttavia i Lacedemoni ben più volentieri accolsero le dimande di Tissafeme e de’Chii, perchè spalleggiati anche da Alcibiade congiunto per strettissimo vincolo di ospitalità paterna coll’eforo Endio ; onde per questa ospitalità la sua casata ebbe un nome laconico, avvegnaché il padre d1 Endio si chiamasse Alcibiade. Contuttociò i Lacedemoni vollero prima mandare a Chio Frinì, persona di quei dintorni, per osservare se avessero le navi che dicevano , e se nel resto la città fosse in opulenza corrispondente al suo credito. Ed avendo Frini riferito esser vere tutte le cose che si sentivano dire , si fecero subito alleati i Chii e gli Eritrei, e decretavano di mandar loro quaranta navi, nella fiducia che non meno di sessanta se ne accoglierebbero dai luoghi accennati dai Chii. Da primo però volevano spedirne dieci con Melancride che era l’ammiraglio ; ma poi, venuto un terremoto, inviarono Calcideo invece di Melancride ; e in- vece di dieci navi ne allestirono cinque nella Lacouia. Così finiva l’inverno e Tanno decimonono di questa guerra descritta da Tucidide.