Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 8.79

[1] Astyochus and the confederates, when they heard of the murmur and had in council resolved to fight, especially after they were informed that Samos was in a tumult, putting forth with their whole fleet to the number of one hundred and twelve sail, with order given to the Milesians to march by land to the same place, went to Mycale.

[2] But the Athenians, being come out from Samos with their fleet of eighty-two galleys, and riding now at Glauce of the territory of Mycale ([for] in this part [toward Mycale] Samos is but a little way from the continent), when they described the Peloponnesian fleet coming against them, put in again to Samos, as not esteeming themselves a sufficient number to hazard their whole fortune on the battle.

[3] Besides, they stayed for the coming of Strombichides from Hellespont to their aid (for they saw that they of Miletus had a desire to fight) with those galleys that went from Chios against Abydos; for they had sent unto him before.

[4] So these retired into Samos. And the Peloponnesians, putting in at Mycale, there encamped, as also did the land-forces of the Milesians and others of the country thereabouts.

[5] The next day, when they meant to have gone against Samos, they received news that Strombichides with his galleys was arrived out of Hellespont, and thereupon returned presently to Miletus.

[6] Then the Athenians on the other side, with the addition of these galleys, went to Miletus, being now one hundred and eight sail, intending to fight; but when nobody came out against them, they likewise went back to Samos.

[1] The confederates and Astyochus, aware of these murmurs, had already decided in council to fight a decisive battle; and when the news reached them of the disturbance at Samos , they put to sea with all their ships, one hundred and ten in number, and ordering the Milesians to move by land upon Mycale, set sail thither.

[2] The Athenians with the eighty-two ships from Samos were at the moment lying at Glauce in Mycale, a point where Samos approaches near to the continent; and seeing the Peloponnesian fleet sailing against them, retired into Samos , not thinking themselves numerically strong enough to stake their all upon a battle.

[3] Besides, they had notice from Miletus of the wish of the enemy to engage, and were expecting to be joined from the Hellespont by Strombichides, to whom a messenger had been already despatched, with the ships that had gone from Chios to Abydos .

[4] The Athenians accordingly withdrew to Samos , and the Peloponnesians put in at Mycale, and encamped with the land forces of the Milesians and the people of the neighbourhood.

[5] The next day they were about to sail against Samos , when tidings reached them of the arrival of Strombichides with the squadron from the Hellespont , upon which they immediately sailed back to Miletus .

[6] The Athenians, thus reinforced, now in their turn sailed against Miletus with a hundred and eight ships, wishing to fight a decisive battle, but as no one put out to meet them, sailed back to Samos .

Da nun die Bundesgenossen und Astyochos das Gerede
vernahmen und danach in einer Versammlung beschlossen hatten, eine
entscheidende Seeschlacht zu liefern, weil ihnen nämlich auch die
unruhigen Zustände auf Samos gemeldet worden waren, so gingen sie
mit allen Schiffen unter Segel, zusammen einhundert und zwölf,
befahlen den Milesiern, zu Lande an der Küste hin nach Mykale zu
marschiren, und fuhren auch selbst gegen diese Stadt. Als aber die
Athener von Samos, welche mit zweiundachtzig Schiffen bei Glauke
in der Gegend von Mykale vor Anker lagen — hier, gegen Mykale
hin, ist nämlich die Insel Samos vom Festland nur wenig entfernt —
die Flotte der Peloponnesier ansegeln sahen, zogen sie sich nach Samos
zurück, da sie sich nicht für stark genug halten, um es gegenüber einer
so großen Zahl auf eine Alles entscheidende Schlacht ankommen zu
lassen. Auch wollten sie den Strombichides abwarten, der vom
Hellespont her-mit den von Chios nach Abydos gegangenen Schiffen ¹
ihnen zu Hilfe kommen sollte, — sie hatten nämlich bereits aus Milet
her erfahren, daß jene die Absicht hätten, eine Seeschlacht zu liefern,
und eS war deßhalb ein Bote an den Strombichides abgefertigt
worden. Sie also zogen sich nach Samos zurück, die Peloponnesier aber
steuerten wieder nach Mykale und bezogen daselbst ein Lager, und so
auch das Landheer der Milesier und ihrer Nachbarn. Als sie am
folgenden Tag im Begriff waren, Samos anzugreifen, erhielten sie
die Meldung, daß Strombichides mit den Schiffen vom Hellespont
bereits angekommen sei, und fuhren deßhalb sogleich wieder nach
Milet zurück. - Nun aber steuerten dle Athener, durch jene Fahrzeuge
verstärkt, mit hundert und acht Schiffen auf Milet loS, um eine
Seeschlacht zu liefern; da ihnen aber Niemand entgegenfuhr, so gingen
sie wieder nach Samos zurück.

LXXIX. Les alliés et Astyochos, instruits de ces murmures, informés d’ailleurs de l’agitation où l’on était à Samos, résolurent en conseil d’en venir à une action décisive. Après avoir ordonné aux Milésiens de se rendre par terre à Mycale, ils mirent en mer avec tous leurs vaisseaux, au nombre de cent douze, et cinglèrent de leur côté vers Mycale. La flotte athénienne de Samos, forte de quatre-vingt-deux vaisseaux, se trouvait alors mouillée à Glaucé, dépendance de Mycale. Comme sur ce point la rive samienne qui regarde Mycale est peu éloignée du continent, les Athéniens, dès qu’ils virent la flotte péloponnésienne venir à eux, rentrèrent à Samos. Ils ne se croyaient pas en nombre pour risquer une affaire décisive; et d’ailleurs, prévenus d’avance que l’ennemi viendrait de Milet offrir le combat, ils avaient mandé à Strombichidès de leur amener de l’Hellespont la flotte qu’il avait conduite de Chio ¹ contre Abydos, et ils attendaient l’arrivée de ce renfort. Lorsqu’ils furent ainsi rentrés à Samos, les Péloponnésiens abordèrent à Mycale et y campèrent avec l’armée de terre de Milet et des pays voisins. Le lendemain, au moment où ils allaient appareiller pour Samos, on leur annonça l’arrivée de Strombichidès, avec la flotte de l’Hellespont : ils se hâtèrent alors de regagner Milet. Les Athéniens, dont la flotte se trouvait portée par ce renfort à cent huit bâtiments, firent voile à leur tour vers Milet, avec l’intention d’engager un combat décisif. Mais, personne n’étant sorti à leur rencontre, ils revinrent à Samos.

Les alliés et Astyochos, instruits de ces murmures et de l’agitation qui régnait à Samos, tinrent conseil et résolurent d’engager une action générale. En conséquence, ils se mirent en mer avec tous leurs bâtiments au nombre de cent douze, prescrivirent aux Milésiens de se rendre par terre au Mycale, et firent voile pour la même destination. Les Athéniens , avec quatre-vingt-deux vaisseaux, étaient alors en station à Glaucé près du Mycale, en face et à peu de distance de Samos. Dès qu’ils virent la flotte péloponésienne en marche contre eux, ils se retirèrent à Samos , car ils ne se croyaient pas en mesure de risquer une action décisive ; d'ailleurs, ayant reçu de Milet l’annonce du mouvement offensif de la flotte pè-loponésienne, ils avaient fait dire à Strombichidès de ramener de l’Hellespont l'escadre détachée de Chios pour Abydos, et Os voulaient attendre son arrivée. Tels furent les motifs de leur retraite à Sambs. Les Péloponésiens abordèrent à Mycale et y campèrent, ainsi que les troupes de terre de Milet et des environs. Le lendemain, au moment de cingler contre Samos, ils apprirent le retour de Strombichidès et de la flotte de l’ffel-lespont ; ils se hâtèrent alors de rentrer à Milet. Les Athéniens, dont ce renfort avait porté la flotte à cent huit navires, firent voile à leur tour contre Milet, dans le dessein de livrer bataille; mais personne n’étant sorti à leur rencontre, ils regagnèrent Samos.

[1] Astyochus and the allies were aware of their murmuring, and it was determined after a council to fight a decisive battle; so when the disturbance at Samos was also reported to them, they put to sea with their entire fleet, one hundred and twelve in all, and bidding the Milesians proceed by land towards Mycale they sailed in the direction of Mycale themselves.

[2] But the Athenians, with the eighty-two ships whose base was at Samos and which happened then to be lying at Glauce on the promontory of Mycale—where Samos is only a short distance from the mainland, in the direction of Mycale—when they saw the Peloponnesian ships sailing against them, retreated to Samos, not thinking themselves strong enough in point of numbers to hazard their all on a battle.

[3] Besides, they had learned beforehand from Miletus that the enemy desired to fight, and they were expecting Strombichides to come to their aid from the Hellespont with the ships from Chios that had gone to Abydus; ¹ for a messenger had previously been sent to him. So they retired to Samos;

[4] but the Peloponnesians sailed on to Mycale and encamped there, together with the Milesians and the troops of the neighbouring peoples that constituted the army on land.

[5] The next day, when they were about to advance against Samos, word was brought to them that Strombichides had arrived with the ships from the Hellespont; so they sailed back at once to Miletus.

[6] The Athenians, on the other hand, on receiving these reinforcements, themselves made an advance upon Miletus with one hundred and eight ships, wishing to come to a decisive battle; but when nobody came out against them they sailed back again to Samos.

[1] The confederates, and particularly Astyochus, hearing these murmurs, and having resolved in council to fight a decisive battle, since the disturbances at Samos were also reported to them, they weighed anchor with all their ships, amounting to a hundred and twelve, and having given orders for the Milesians to march by land towards Mycale, they sailed to the same place.

[2] But the Athenians with their eighty-two ships which were lying at Glauce in the territory of Mycale, (Samos being but a short distance from the mainland at this point, opposite Mycale,) when they saw the Peloponnesian fleet sailing against them, retired to Samos, not thinking themselves sufficiently strong in numbers to risk a battle for their all.

[3] Besides, as they had had notice from Miletus of the enemy's wish for an engagement, they were expecting Strombichides from the Hellespont, to reinforce them with the ships which had gone from Chios to Abydus; for a messenger had previously been sent to him. Thus they retired to Samos;

[4] while the Peloponnesians put in at Mycale, and formed their encampment, with the land forces of the Milesians and the people in the neighbourhood.

[5] The next day, when they were going to advance against Samos, tidings reached them of the arrival of Strombichides with the squadron from the Hellespont, and they immediately sailed back again to Miletus.

[6] The Athenians, when their squadron had joined them, advanced themselves against Miletus with a hundred and eight ships, wishing to come to a decisive battle; but when no one came out to meet them, they sailed back again to Samos.

[1] Socii vero et Astyoclius, quum rrtmorem istum sensissent, habitoque concilio prudium navale committere statuissent, quandoquidem iis et seditio, qua* Sami erat, nuntiabatur, solventes cum omnibus navibus, qua; numero centum ac duodecim erant, et Milesiis jussis itinere pedestri ad Mycalen proficisci, navigabant Mycalen versus.

[2] Athenienses verocum duabus et octoginta navibus Samiis, qua? in Glauce agri Mycalesii stationem habebant, (ab hac autem parte, quae Mycalen spectat, Samus a continente non longe distat), quum Peloponnesiorum naves contra se venientes vidissent, in Samum se receperunt, existimantes, suarum numerum non satis esse firmum ad belli fortunam de summa rerum periclitandam.

[3] Et simul (praesenserant enim, eos qui Mileto veniebant, prodium navale committere cupientes) exspectabant etiam Slrombichidem ex Hellesponto cum ea classe, quae ex Chio Abydum profecta erat, auxilio sibi venturum; nuntius enim ad eum pramiis-sus erat.

[4] Atque illi quidem sic in Samum se receperunt; Peloponnesii vero, classe ad Mycalen appulsa, castra posuerunt, et cum iis Milesiorum et accolarum peditatus.

[5] Et postridie quum adversus Samum navigare vellent. nuntiatur Strombichides ex Hellesponto cum sua classe advenisse; quare confestim Miletum redibant.

[6] Sed Athenienses, post alterius classis accessionem, ipsi uliro cum centum et octo navibus Miletum accedunt, eo animo, ut navali proelio dimicarent, et quum nullus iis obxiam prodiret, rursus in Samum se receperunt.

Gli alleati ed Astioco aU’udir tali bisbisgli si adunarono , e stabilirono di venire a battaglia; da che avean pure avuto lingua delle turbolenze di Samo. Perloche fallo vela con tutte le navi, che erano cenlo dodici, ed ordinato ai Milesii di condursi per terra a Micale, s’indirizzarono alla volta di Micale. Gli Ateniesi con le oltanladuc navi di

Samo che aveano stazione a Glauce del territorio di Micale (perciocché dalla parte che guarda Micale Samo è poco distante da terraferma) vedendosi venir contro la flotta de’ Peloponnesi, ritiraronsi a Samo, avvegnaché non si cre-^ dessero in numero bastante a tentare un pericolo che dovea decidere della somma delle cose. Inoltre, siccome aveano presentito che i nemici eran partiti da Mileto per venire a battaglia navale, voleano aspettare che Strombichide tornasse dall’Ellesponto in loro aiuto colle navi che da Chio erano arrivate ad Abido. E già gli avean mandato innanzi l’avviso. Così gli Ateniesi si ritirarono a Samo; ed i Peloponnesi approdati a Micale vi si accamparono insieme coi fanti dei Milesii e dei circonvicini. Ed il giorno appresso erano per navigar sopra Samo, quando avuto nuova dell’arrivo di Strombichide dall’ Ellesponto colle navi, voltarono subito addietro per Mileto. Gli Ateniesi anch’essi rinforzati dalla flottiglia di Strombichide si mossero verso Mileto con otto e cento navi, desiderosi di tentare una battaglia decisiva ; ma siccome nessuno si mosse loro incontro tornarono indietro a Samo.