Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 8.87

[1] The same summer, Tissaphernes, at the time that the Peloponnesians were offended with him most, both for the going home of Alcibiades and divers other things, as now manifestly Atticizing, with purpose, as indeed it seemed, to clear himself to them concerning his accusations, made ready for his journey to Aspendus for the Phoenician fleet, and willed Lichas to go along with him, saying that he would substitute Tamos, his deputy lieutenant over the army, to pay the fleet whilst himself was absent.

[2] This matter is diversly reported, and it is hard to know with what purpose he went to Aspendus and yet brought not the fleet away with him. For it is known that one hundred and forty-seven sail of Phoenicians were come forward as far as Aspendus;

[3] but why they came not through, the conjectures are various. Some think it was upon design (as he formerly intended) to wear out the Peloponnesian forces; for which cause also Tamos, who had that charge, made no better but rather worse payment than himself. Others, that having brought the Phoenicians as far as Aspendus, he might dismiss them for money, for he never meant to use their service. Some again said it was because they exclaimed so against it at Lacedaemon, and that it might not be said he abused them, but that he went openly to a fleet really set out. For my own part, I think it most clear that it was to the end to consume and to balance the Grecians that he brought not those galleys in;

[4] consuming them, in that he went thither and delayed the time; and equalizing them, in that bringing them to neither he made neither party the stronger. For if he had had a mind to end the war, it is manifest he might have been sure to have done it. For if he had brought them to the Lacedaemonians, in all reason he had given them the victory, who had a navy already rather equal than inferior to that of their enemies.

[5] But that which hurt them most was the pretence he alleged for not bringing the fleet in. For he said they were not so many sail as the king had ordained to be gotten together. But sure he might have ingratiated himself more in this business by dispatching it with less of the king's money than by spending more.

[6] But whatsoever was his purpose, Tissaphernes went to Aspendus and was with the Phoenicians; and by his own appointment the Peloponnesians sent Philip, a Lacedaemonian, with him with two galleys as to take charge of the fleet.

[1] The same summer at the time that the return of Alcibiades coupled with the general conduct of Tissaphernes had carried to its height the discontent of the Peloponnesians, who no longer entertained any doubt of his having joined the Athenians, Tissaphernes wishing, it would seem, to clear himself to them of these charges, prepared to go after the Phoenician fleet to Aspendus , and invited Lichas to go with him; saying that he would appoint Tamos as his lieutenant to provide pay for the armament during his own absence.

[2] Accounts differ, and it is not easy to ascertain with what intention he went to Aspendus , and did not bring the fleet after all.

[3] That one hundred and forty-seven Phoenician ships came as far as Aspendus is certain; but why they did not come on has been variously accounted for. Some think that he went away in pursuance of his plan of wasting the Peloponnesian resources, since at any rate Tamos, his lieutenant, far from being any better, proved a worse paymaster than himself: others that he brought the Phoenicians to Aspendus to exact money from them for their discharge, having never intended to employ them: others again that it was in view of the outcry against him at Lacedaemon , in order that it might be said that he was not in fault, but that the ships were really manned and that he had certainly gone to fetch them.

[4] To myself it seems only too evident that he did not bring up the fleet because he wished to wear out and paralyse the Hellenic forces, that is, to waste their strength by the time lost during his journey to Aspendus , and to keep them evenly balanced by not throwing his weight into either scale. Had he wished to finish the war, he could have done so, assuming of course that he made his appearance in a way which left no room for doubt; as by bringing up the fleet he would in all probability have given the victory to the Lacedaemonians, whose navy, even as it was, faced the Athenian more as an equal than as an inferior.

[5] But what convicts him most clearly, is the excuse which he put forward for not bringing the ships. He said that the number assembled was less than the king had ordered; but surely it would only have enhanced his credit if he spent little of the king's money and effected the same end at less cost.

[6] In any case, whatever was his intention, Tissaphernes went to Aspendus and saw the Phoenicians; and the Peloponnesians at his desire sent a Lacedaemonian called Philip with two galleys to fetch the fleet.

Um eben dieselbe Zeit in jenem Sommer, als die
Peloponnesier sowohl aus den andern Gründen, als auch wegen der
Rückkehr des Alkibiades aus den Tissaphernes sehr erzürnt waren, da er
es bereits ganz offen mit den Athenern halte, so wollte dieser, wie
eS wenigstens scheint, diese Anklagen zum Schweigen bringen und
schickte sich an, zu den Phönikischen Schiffen nach Aspcndos zu
gehen. Den Lichas erbat er sich als Begleiter. Dem Heere, sagte
er, wolle er den TamoS beigeben, seinen Unterstatthalter, der ihnen
während seiner eigenen Abwesenheit die Verpflegung liefern solle.
ES wird nun über diese Sache nicht übereinstimmend berichtet, und
man kann auch nicht leicht wissen, welche Absicht er dabei hatte, daß ¹
er nach Aspendos ging und die Schiffe doch nicht mitbrachte. Denn
daß hundert und siebenundvierzig Phönikische Schiffe wirklich bis
nach Aspendos gekommen sind, daS ist gewiß; weßhalb sie aber nicht
weiter gingen, darüber bestehen verschiedene Vermuthungen. Die
Einen nämlich sagen, er habe durch seine Abwesenheit, wie denn dieß
auch in seinem Plane lag, die Peloponnesier noch mehr schwächen
wollen — und Tamos, dem die Sache aufgetragen war, lieferte dem
Heere die Verpflegung allerdings um Nichts besser, sondern noch
nachlässiger; — Andere sagen, er habe die Phöniker bis nach
Aspendos kommen lassen, um für ihre Entlassung von ihnen Geld zu
erpressen — denn benützt würde er sie in keinem Falle haben; —
Andere wieder, er habe eS nur der Anklagen wegen gethan, die über
sein Benehmen nach Lakedämon gedrungen seien, damit man sagen
müsse, daß er doch seine Sache thue und sich wirklich zu der in der
That kriegsbereiten Flotte begebe. Mir dünkt es am
allerwahrscheinlichsten, daß er, um die Hellenen aufzureiben und hinzuhalten, eS
unterlassen hat, jene Flotte herbeizuführen; denn geschwächt wurden
sie, während er dort abwesend war und zögerte, und dadurch, daß er
keinen von beiden Theilen durch seinen Beitritt zum überlegenen
machte, erreichte er, daß zwischen beiden ein Gleichgewicht der Macht
erhalten blieb; hätte er nämlich den Krieg zur Entscheidung führen
wollen. so konnte gar kein Zweifel sein; denn wenn er die Schiffe
den Lakedämoniern zuführte, so gab er ihnen damit unzweifelhaft
den Sieg, da dieselben sogar unter den gegenwärtigen Umständen
ihren Gegnern an SchiffSmacht eher gleichstanden, als nachstanden.
Deutlich überführt ihn auch der Vorwand, mit welchem er das Nicht-
mitbringen der Flotte zu entschuldigen suchte. Er sagte nämlich, die
Schiffe seien in geringerer Zahl zusammengekommen, als der König
eS befohlen hätte. In diesem Falle aber hätte er beim König eher
noch Gunst erlangt, da er ihm Geld erspart und mit geringen
Mitteln doch Dasselbe ausgerichtet hätte. Nach Aspendos indessen kam
Tissaphernes wirklich, in welcher Absicht es auch immer geschah, und
traf daselbst die Phöniker, und die Peloponnesier schickten auf seine
Aufforderung den Philippos, einen Lakedämonier, jener Schiffe wegen
mit zwei Dreiruderern mit.

LXXXVII. Le même été, au moment où divers motifs et surtout le rappel d’Alcibiade irritaient au plus haut point les Péloponnésiens contre Tissaphernes, qu’ils accusaient d’être ouvertement dans le parti d’Athènes, celui-ci, voulant, ce semble, se disculper auprès d’eux, se disposa à aller rejoindre la flotte phénicienne à Aspendos. Il engagea Lichas à l’accompagner, et déclara qu’il préposerait auprès de l’armée Tamon, son lieutenant, pour payer le subside en son absence. Les avis diffèrent sur ce voyage, et il n’est pas facile de savoir dans quelle intention il se rendit à Aspendos, ni pourquoi, y étant allé, il n’en ramena pas la flotte. Ce qui est incontestable, c’est que les vaisseaux phéniciens, au nombre de cent quarante-sept, vinrent jusqu’à Aspendos; mais pourquoi n’arrivèrentils pas? C’est le sujet de bien des conjectures. Les uns pensent qu’en s’absentant il poursuivait son dessein de ruiner les affaires des Péloponnésiens. Et, en effet, Tamon, chargé de fournir le subside, loin de se montrer plus exact, le paya plus mal encore. D’autres ont dit qu’il voulait, après avoir fait venir les Phéniciens jusqu’à Aspendos, leur faire acheter leur congé; car, dans tous les cas, il ne devait pas recourir à leurs services; d’autres, que c’était pour répondre aux récriminations adressées à Lacédémone et faire dire qu’il n’avait aucun tort, la flotte auprès de laquelle il se rendait ainsi officiellement devant certainement être équipée. Quant à moi, ce qui me paraît le plus certain, c’est que ce fut pour balancer et ruiner la puissance des Grecs, qu’il n’amena pas la flotte : il la ruinait par son absence et ses temporisations, et maintenait l’équilibre en évitant de donner par son adjonction l’avantage à aucun des deux partis. Car, s’il eût voulu terminer la guerre, il le pouvait évidemment, cela n’est pas douteux. En amenant la flotte, il eût vraisemblablement donné la victoire aux Lacédémoniens, puisque déjà ils avaient en face de l’ennemi, à leur station, des forces plutôt égales qu’inférieures à celles d’Athènes. Ce qui trahit surtout ses intentions, c’est le prétexte qu’il allégua lorsqu’il revint sans la flotte : les vaisseaux rassemblés étaient, disait-il, moins nombreux que n’avait ordonné le Roi; comme si le Roi n’eût pas dû lui savoir plus de gré d’atteindre le même résultat à moins de frais et sans lui imposer d’onéreuses dépenses. Enfin, quelles que fussent ses intentions, il se rendit à Aspendos et y rencontra les Phéniciens. Les Péloponnésiens, d’après ses instructions, envoyèrent aussi au-devant de la flotte le Lacédémonien Philippe avec deux trirèmes.

Le même été, dans le temps ôù divers motifs et surtout le rappel d'Alcibiade avaient porté au comble l’Irritation des Péloponésiens contre Tissapherne, qu'ils regardaient comme partisan déclaré d’Athènes, celui-ci, voulant apparemment dissiper ces fâcheuses impressions , prit le parti d’aller à Aspendos au-devant de la flotte phénicienne. Il engagea Lichas à l’accompagner et promit que son lieutenant Tamos fournirait en son absence les subsides à l’armée. Les opinions varient au sujet de ce voyage, et il n’est pas facile de savoir dans quelle intention Tissapherne se rendit à Aspendos, ni pourquoi, après y être allé, il n’en ramena pas les vaisseaux. Que la flotte phénicienne , forte de cent quarante-sept voiles, soit venue jusqu’à Aspendos, c’est un fait avéré; mais pour quel motif ne poussa-t-elle pas plus loin? à cet égard le champ est ouvert aux conjectures. Les uns prétendent qu’en s'absentant ainsi il était fidèle à son système d’affaiblir les Péloponésiens, et pour preuve ils citent l’extrême négligence apportée par Tamos dans le règlement de la solde ; d’autres, qu’en faisant venir les Phéniciens à Aspendos, il voulait spéculer sur leur retraite, sans avoir la moindre intention de les employer ; d’autres enfin, qu’il n’avait pas d’autre but que de répondre aux plaintes élevées contre lui à Lacédémone, en disant à sa décharge qu’il était allé bien réellement chercher cette flotte, dont la présence n’était pas une fiction. Quant à moi, ce qui me paraît le plus probable, c’est que, s’il n'amena pas la flotte phénicienne, ce fut pour rainer et paralyser la puissance des Grecs. Il les ruinait par les lenteurs que causait son absence, et maintenait l'équilibre entre les deux partis. S’il eût-voulu sérieusement mettre fin à la guerre , il ne tenait qu’à lui ; car en amenant la flotte", il eût selon toute probabilité donné la victoire aux Lacédémoniens , dont les forces navales balançaient presque celles d’Athènes. Enfin rien ne révéla mieux sa pensée que le prétexte allégué par lui pour n’avoir pas amené ces vaisseaux. A l’entendre, c’est parce qu’ib étaient moins nombreux que le roi ne l’avait ordonné ; mais, dans ce cas, il aurait d’autant mieux servi son maître en épargnant les finances royales et en atteignant le même but à moins de frais. Quoi qu’il en soit, Tissapherne se rendit à Aspendos où il trouva les Phéniciens. Sur sa demande, les Péloponésiens envoyèrent au-devant de cette flotte le Lacédémonien Philippos avec deux trirèmes.

[1] During the same summer, at the very moment when, for various other reasons and especially because of the recall of Alcibiades, the Peloponnesians were vexed with Tissaphernes, feeling that he was now openly favouring the Athenians, he, wishing, as it seemed, to clear himself in their eyes of these calumnies, prepared to go to Aspendus after the Phoenician ships, and bade Lichas accompany him; but as regards the army he would appoint Tamos in his place, so as to ensure supplies during his own absence. But the story is told in different ways, and it is not easy to be certain what motive he had for going to Aspendus, and why, after going, he did not bring back the ships.

[2] For that the Phoenician ships, one hundred and forty-seven in number, came as far as Aspendus is certain;

[3] but the reason why they did not finish the journey is variously conjectured. Some say that his purpose was to accomplish by his absence what he actually designed—to exhaust by delay the resources of the Peloponnesians (at any rate supplies were furnished no better, but even worse than before, by Tamos, to whom this duty had been assigned); others say that it was with the idea of bringing the Phoenician ships as far as Aspendus and then exacting money from them for their discharge (for in any case he was not intending to make any use of them); and still others say that it was because lie was being denounced at Lacedaemon, and wanted the report to go out that he was not acting wrongly but, as everybody could see, had gone for the ships and these were really manned for service.

[4] To me, however, it seems perfectly clear that it was with the purpose of wearing out the resources of the Hellenes and keeping matters in suspense that he did not bring the fleet—of exhausting them while he was making the journey to Aspendus and delaying there, and also of equalizing them, that he might make neither side stronger by joining it. For if he had indeed wished it, he could, it seems plain, by appearing on the scene have brought the war to a definite conclusion; for by bringing his fleet he would in all probability have given the victory to the Lacedaemonians, who, in fact, even as it was were confronting the Athenians with a fleet that fully matched theirs and was not inferior to it.

[5] But that which convicted him most clearly was the excuse he gave for not bringing the ships, when he said that they were not so many as the King had ordered to be collected; but he, on the contrary, would surely have won all the more gratitude in such a case, by saving a great deal of the King's money and obtaining the same results with smaller outlay.

[6] At any rate, whatever his intentions, Tissaphernes went to Aspendus and conferred with the Phoenicians; and the Peloponnesians by his orders sent Philippus, a Lacedaemonian, with two triremes to bring the ships back.

[1] The same summer, and at the very time when the Peloponnesians were most offended with Tissaphernes, both on other accounts, and especially because of the return of Alcibiades, thinking that he was now evidently Atticizing, he, wishing, as it seemed, to clear himself to them of these charges, prepared to go to Aspendus for the Phoenician ships, and desired Lichas to accompany him; saying, that with regard to the armament, he would appoint Tamos as his lieutenant, to furnish the supplies while he was himself absent. The same account, however, is not given by all;

[2] nor is it easy to decide with what motive he went to Aspendus, and yet, after going. did not bring the fleet. For it is certain that the Phoencician ships, a hundred and forty seven in number, came as far as Aspendus;

[3] but why they did not come on, is a subject of many conjectures. For some think it was, that by going away he might, in accordance with his plan, wear down the power of the Peloponnesians; (at any rate Tamos, who was intrusted with the charge, provided them with supplies no better, but even worse, than himself.) Others, that after bringing the Phoenicians to Aspendus, he might exact money from them for their discharge; (for under no circumstances did he intend to employ them on any service.) Others, that it was on account of the clamour against him, which had spread to Lacedaemon—to have it said that he was not wronging them, but was certainly gone for the ships, which were undoubtedly manned for service.

[4] To me, however, it appears most evident that it was with a view to wear out the Greeks, and to keep them in suspense, that he did not bring the fleet; to weaken them, during all the time that he was going there and delaying; and to keep them balanced, in order that he might make neither party too strong by joining them. For had he wished to bring the war to a conclusion, it is surely evident that he might have done it without any doubt. For by bringing the fleet he would in all probability have given the victory to the Lacedaemonians; since even at present they maintained their opposition with their navy, on terms of equality rather than of inferiority.

[5] But what most clearly convicts him is the excuse which he alleged for not bringing the ships. For he said that they were fewer in number than the king had commanded to be collected. But surely he would have gained still greater thanks by that, through not spending so much of the king's money, and yet effecting the same object at a less cost. ¹

[6] At any rate, with whatever intention it might have been, Tissaphernes went to Aspendus, and had an interview with the Phoenicians; and the Peloponnesians, by his desire, sent Philippus, a man of Lacedaemon, with two triremes to fetch the fleet.

[1] Eadem autem aestate Tissaphernes, hoc in tempore, quo Peloponnesii longe maxime quum ob reliqua tum vero propter Alcibiadis restitutionem ei infensi erant ut Atheniensium partibus aperte jam faventi, cupiens, ut saltem videbatur, has criminationes apud eos diluere, praeparabat profectionem ad classem Phoenissam, quae ad Aspendum stabat, Lichamque secum venire jubebat; exercitui autem se praefecturum dixit Tamon, suum propraetorem, ut stipendium, quamdiu ipse abesset, praeberet.

[2] Varie autem res narratur, nec facile sciri potest, qua mente ac- , cesserit Aspendum, et quum accessisset, tamen classem : non adduxerit.

[3] Nam hoc quidem constat, centum qua- '' draginta septem Phoenissas naves Aspendum usque pervenisse; cur vero ad Peloponnesios non iverint, variae sunt conjecturae. Alii enim hoc ab illo ideo factum conjiciunt, ut suo discessu, quemadmodum constituerat, Peloponnesiorum res morando attereret; (Tamos enim, cui negotium datum erat, stipendium nihilo melius, sed etiam pejus, praebebat;) alii vero, ut Phoenicibus Aspendum usque perductis, facta redeundi potestate pecuniam extorqueret, (nam vel sic quoque iis uti non statuerat); alii vero, ob criminationem de se Lacedaemonem delatam, ut diceretur, eum non injuste facere, sed vel manifesto ire ad classem re vera instructam.

[4] Mihi vero manifestissimum videtur esse, classem non adduxisse, ut res Graecorum morando attereret, suspensasque teneret, quippe damnum facturus, dum illuc proficisceretur et cunctaretur, et partes exaequaturus, ut neutros se adjuncto potentiores redderet, quando quidem si voluisset debellare, manifestum profecto esi, eum id sine ulla dubitatione facturum fuisse; nam si classem adduxisset, Lacedaemoniis victoriam, ut probabile esi, praebuisset, quippe qui vel tunc pari potius quam inferiori classe adversus hostem in statione essent.

[5] Arguit eum autem maxime etiam causa, quam ipse protulitt quum classem non adduxisset. Dixit enim, eam minori numero, quam rex jussisset, contractam esse; sed is gratiam utique mqjorem etiam sic iniisset, si neque magnam regiae pecuniae vim consumpsisset, et eadem tamen negotia minoribus sumptibus confecisset.

[6] Aspendum igitur quocumque tandem consilio motus Tissaphernes advenit et cum Phoenicibus congreditur; et Peloponnesii, illius jussu, Philippum, virum Lacedaemonium, cum duabus triremibus, ut ad classem, miserunt.

Nella medesima estate volendo Tissaferae (come di fermo fu creduto) sventare le imputazioni dategli da’ Peloponnesi, i quali tra le altre, a cagione del ritorno d’Alcibiade, erano scorrubbiati con esso lui quasi la tenesse apertamente da Atene, si dispose a portarsi ad Aspendo per le navi fenicie, e comandò a Lica di essergli compagno in quel viaggio. E quanto all’esercito disse che lascerebbe ordine a Tamo suo luogotenente di pagar gli stipendii, in quel tanto ch'ei stesse assente. La cosa però uon si racconta in un medesimo modo, nò è facile intendere perchè andasse ad Aspendo , e poi andatovi non ronducesselenavi. Conciossiachè egli è cosa indubitata che, centoquarantasette navi fenicie erano arrivate ad Aspendo ; e d’altronde molte sono le congetture del perchè non venissero. Alcuni tengono che Tissaferne andasse ad Aspendo per logorar con questa sua partenza i Peloponnesi, come veramente era suo pensiero. Ed infatti Tamo suo luogotenente pagava gli stipendii non punto meglio, ma anzi peggio di lui. Altri opinano che dopo aver fatti venire i Fenicii sino ad Aspendo ei volesse cavarne denari congedandoli; poiché non aveva intenzione di valersi di loro. Altri poi son d avviso che facesse ciò mosso dalle male voci giunte fino a Sparta, acciocché si dicesse che la sua condotta non era disleale, ma che egli andava apertamente per una flotta al certo equipaggiata. Con tutto questo a me pare che il motivo più chiaro del non aver condotto quella flotta fosse per indebolire e tener sospese le cose de1 Greci ; per farli consumar tra loro mentre egli era assente e si tratteneva colà ; e per tenere in bilancia i loro interessi senza farla preponderar da alcuna parte colla sua aggiunta ; perchè è manifesto che, se lo avesse voluto , arebbe posto fine alla guerra ; e l’esito non sarebbe stato dubbioso. Essendoché, conduceudo la flotta fenicia ai Lacedemoni, avrebbe ragionevolmente dato la viltoria ad essi, i quali anche di presente stavano a fronte degli Ateniesi con eguali forze marittime piuttostochè minori. Lo scusarsi poi del non aver condotto quelle navi, col dire che erano state accolte iu più piccol numero di quello che il re avea ordinato, fu un parlare da sonnolento; perchè in tal caso arebbe meglio incontrato il gradimento del re spendendo non molti denari, e con più sottile spesa avrebbe conseguito l'istesso. Ma (qual che si fosse la sua intenzione) Tissaferne arriva ad Aspendo e si abbocca coi Feuicii ; ed i Peloponnesi per ordine di lui vi spediscono Filippo gentiluomo lacedemone con due triremi, persuasi che gli dovessero esser conseguale quelle navi.