Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, ed. Henry Stuart Jones, 7.44

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[1] καὶ ἐνταῦθα ἤδη ἐν πολλῇ ταραχῇ καὶ ἀπορίᾳ ἐγίγνοντο οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι, ἣν οὐδὲ πυθέσθαι ῥᾴδιον ἦν οὐδ’ ἀφ’ ἑτέρων ὅτῳ τρόπῳ ἕκαστα ξυνηνέχθη. ἐν μὲν γὰρ ἡμέρᾳ σαφέστερα μέν, ὅμως δὲ οὐδὲ ταῦτα οἱ παραγενόμενοι πάντα πλὴν τὸ καθ᾽ ἑαυτὸν ἕκαστος μόλις οἶδεν· ἐν δὲ νυκτομαχίᾳ, ἣ μόνη δὴ στρατοπέδων μεγάλων ἔν γε τῷδε τῷ πολέμῳ ἐγένετο, πῶς ἄν τις σαφῶς τι ᾔδει;

[2] ἦν μὲν γὰρ σελήνη λαμπρά, ἑώρων δὲ οὕτως ἀλλήλους ὡς ἐν σελήνῃ εἰκὸς τὴν μὲν ὄψιν τοῦ σώματος προορᾶν, τὴν δὲ γνῶσιν τοῦ οἰκείου ἀπιστεῖσθαι. ὁπλῖται δὲ ἀμφοτέρων οὐκ ὀλίγοι ἐν στενοχωρίᾳ ἀνεστρέφοντο.

[3] καὶ τῶν Ἀθηναίων οἱ μὲν ἤδη ἐνικῶντο, οἱ δ’ ἔτι τῇ πρώτῃ ἐφόδῳ ἀήσσητοι ἐχώρουν. πολὺ δὲ καὶ τοῦ ἄλλου στρατεύματος αὐτοῖς τὸ μὲν ἄρτι ἀνεβεβήκει, τὸ δ’ ἔτι προσανῄει, ὥστ᾽ οὐκ ἠπίσταντο πρὸς ὅτι χρὴ χωρῆσαι. ἤδη γὰρ τὰ πρόσθεν τῆς τροπῆς γεγενημένης ἐτετάρακτο πάντα καὶ χαλεπὰ ἦν ὑπὸ τῆς βοῆς διαγνῶναι.

[4] οἵ τε γὰρ Συρακόσιοι καὶ οἱ ξύμμαχοι ὡς κρατοῦντες παρεκελεύοντό τε κραυγῇ οὐκ ὀλίγῃ χρώμενοι, ἀδύνατον ὂν ἐν νυκτὶ ἄλλῳ τῳ σημῆναι, καὶ ἅμα τοὺς προσφερομένους ἐδέχοντο· οἵ τε Ἀθηναῖοι ἐζήτουν τε σφᾶς αὐτοὺς καὶ πᾶν τὸ ἐξ ἐναντίας, καὶ εἰ φίλιον εἴη τῶν ἤδη πάλιν φευγόντων, πολέμιον ἐνόμιζον, καὶ τοῖς ἐρωτήμασι τοῦ ξυνθήματος πυκνοῖς χρώμενοι διὰ τὸ μὴ εἶναι ἄλλῳ τῳ γνωρίσαι σφίσι τε αὐτοῖς θόρυβον πολὺν παρεῖχον ἅμα πάντες ἐρωτῶντες καὶ τοῖς πολεμίοις σαφὲς αὐτὸ κατέστησαν·

[5] τὸ δ’ ἐκείνων οὐχ ὁμοίως ἠπίσταντο διὰ τὸ κρατοῦντας αὐτοὺς καὶ μὴ διεσπασμένους ἧσσον ἀγνοεῖσθαι, ὥστ’ εἰ μὲν ἐντύχοιέν τισι κρείσσους ὄντες τῶν πολεμίων, διέφευγον αὐτοὺς ἅτε ἐκείνων ἐπιστάμενοι τὸ ξύνθημα, εἰ δ’ αὐτοὶ μὴ ἀποκρίνοιντο, διεφθείροντο.

[6] μέγιστον δὲ καὶ οὐχ ἥκιστα ἔβλαψε καὶ ὁ παιανισμός· ἀπὸ γὰρ ἀμφοτέρων παραπλήσιος ὢν ἀπορίαν παρεῖχεν. οἵ τε γὰρ Ἀργεῖοι καὶ οἱ Κερκυραῖοι καὶ ὅσον Δωρικὸν μετ’ Ἀθηναίων ἦν, ὁπότε παιανίσειαν, φόβον παρεῖχε τοῖς Ἀθηναίοις, οἵ τε πολέμιοι ὁμοίως.

[7] ὥστε τέλος ξυμπεσόντες αὑτοῖς κατὰ πολλὰ τοῦ στρατοπέδου, ἐπεὶ ἅπαξ ἐταράχθησαν, φίλοι τε φίλοις καὶ πολῖται πολίταις, οὐ μόνον ἐς φόβον κατέστησαν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐς χεῖρας ἀλλήλοις ἐλθόντες μόλις ἀπελύοντο.

[8] καὶ διωκόμενοι κατά τε τῶν κρημνῶν [οἱ] πολλοὶ ῥίπτοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἀπώλλυντο, στενῆς οὔσης τῆς ἀπὸ τῶν Ἐπιπολῶν πάλιν καταβάσεως, καὶ ἐπειδὴ ἐς τὸ ὁμαλὸν οἱ σῳζόμενοι ἄνωθεν καταβαῖεν, οἱ μὲν πολλοὶ αὐτῶν καὶ ὅσοι ἦσαν τῶν προτέρων στρατιωτῶν ἐμπειρίᾳ μᾶλλον τῆς χώρας ἐς τὸ στρατόπεδον διεφύγγανον, οἱ δὲ ὕστερον ἥκοντες εἰσὶν οἳ διαμαρτόντες τῶν ὁδῶν κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐπλανήθησαν· οὕς,ἐπειδὴ ἡμέρα ἐγένετο, οἱ ἱππῆς τῶν Συρακοσίων περιελάσαντες διέφθειραν.

History of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides. ed. Henry Stuart Jones. Oxford. 1910.

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Ἱστορίαι (Greek) (Thucydides. Historiae, Vol 1-2. Jones, Henry Stuart, editor. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1910. (1942 printing).)

Translations (10)

The History of the Grecian War Perseus (Thucydides. The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Hobbes, Thomas. translator. London: John Bohn, 1843.) — 7.44 focus

[1] And here the Athenians were mightily in disorder and perplexed, so that it hath been very hard to be informed of any side in what manner each thing passed. For if in the day time, when things are better seen, yet they that are present cannot tell how all things go, save only what every man with much ado seeth near unto himself, how then in a battle by night (the only one that happened between great armies in all this war) can a man know anything for certain?

[2] For though the moon shined bright, yet they saw one another no otherwise than as by the moonlight was likely, so as to see a body, but not be sure whether it were a friend or not.

[3] And the men of arms on both sides, being not a few in number, had but little ground to turn in. Of the Athenians, some were already overcome, others went on in their first way. Also a great part of the rest of the army was already part gotten up and part ascending, and knew not which way to march. For after the Athenians once turned their backs, all before them was in confusion;

[4] and it was hard to distinguish of anything for the noise. For the Syracusians and their confederates prevailing encouraged each other and received the assailants with exceeding great shouts (for they had no other means in the night to express themselves); and the Athenians sought each other and took for enemies all before them, though friends and of the number of those that fled, and by often asking the word, there being no other means of distinction, all asking at once they both made a great deal of stir amongst themselves and revealed the word to the enemy. But they did not in like manner know the word of the Syracusians, because these, being victorious and undistracted, knew one another better;

[5] so that when they lighted on any number of the enemy, though they themselves were more, yet the enemy escaped as knowing the watchword; but they, when they could not answer, were slain.

[6] But that which hurt them most was the tune of the Paean, which being in both armies the same, drave them to their wits' end. For the Argives and Corcyraeans and all other of the Doric race on the Athenians' part, when they sounded the Paean, terrified the Athenians on one side; and the enemy terrified them with the like on the other side.

[7] Wherefore at the last, falling one upon another in divers parts of the army, friends against friends, and countrymen against countrymen, they not only terrified each other, but came to handstrokes and could hardly again be parted.

[8] As they fled before the enemy, the way of the descent from Epipolae by which they were to go back being but strait, many of them threw themselves down from the rocks, and died so. And of the rest that gat down safely into the plain, though the greatest part, and all that were of the old army by their knowledge of the country, escaped into the camp; yet of these that came last, some lost their way, and straying in the fields, when the day came on were cut off by the Syracusian horsemen that ranged the country about.

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.) — 7.44 focus

[1] The Athenians now fell into great disorder and perplexity, so that it was not easy to get from one side or the other any detailed account of the affair. By day certainly the combatants have a clearer notion, though even then by no means of all that takes place, no one knowing much of anything that does not go on in his own immediate neighborhood; but in a night engagement (and this was the only one that occurred between great armies during the war) how could any one know anything for certain?

[2] Although there was a bright moon they saw each other only as men do by moonlight, that is to say, they could distinguish the form of the body, but could not tell for certain whether it was a friend or an enemy. Both had great numbers of heavy infantry moving about in a small space.

[3] Some of the Athenians were already defeated, while others were coming up yet unconquered for their first attack. A large part also of the rest of their forces either had only just got up, or were still ascending, so that they did not know which way to march. Owing to the rout that had taken place all in front was now in confusion, and the noise made it difficult to distinguish anything.

[4] The victorious Syracusans and allies were cheering each other on with loud cries, by night the only possible means of communication, and meanwhile receiving all who came against them; while the Athenians were seeking for one another, taking all in front of them for enemies, even although they might be some of their now flying friends; and by constantly asking for the watchword, which was their only means of recognition, not only caused great confusion among themselves by asking all at once, but also made it known to the enemy,

[5] whose own they did not so readily discover, as the Syracusans were victorious and not scattered, and thus less easily mistaken. The result was that if the Athenians fell in with a party of the enemy that was weaker than they, it escaped them through knowing their watchword; while if they themselves failed to answer they were put to the sword.

[6] But what hurt them as much, or indeed more than anything else, was the singing of the Paean, from the perplexity which it caused by being nearly the same on either side: the Argives and Corcyraeans and any other Dorian peoples in the army, struck terror into the Athenians whenever they raised their Paean, no less than did the enemy.

[7] Thus, after being once thrown into disorder, they ended by coming into collision with each other in many parts of the field, friends with friends, and citizens with citizens, and not only terrified one another, but even came to blows and could only be parted with difficulty.

[8] In the pursuit many perished by throwing themselves down the cliffs, the way down from Epipolae being narrow; and of those who got down safely into the plain, although many, especially those who belonged to the first armament, escaped through their better acquaintance with the locality, some of the newcomers lost their way and wandered over the country, and were cut off in the morning by the Syracusan cavalry and killed.

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Wahrmund, Adolf, translator. Stuttgart: Krais and Hoffmann, 1864.) — 7.44 focus

Und von diesem Augenblick an geriethen die Athener ¹
bereits in'große Verwirrung und Rathlostgkeit. Wie eS dabei zuging
und auf welche-Art von beiden Seiten Jegliches geschah, war so
leicht nicht zu erfahren.' Was am hellen Tage geschehen ist, wissen
die Betheiligten zwar schon besser, aber auch hiebei nicht das Ganze
der Ereignisse, sondern ein Jeder nur, was ihn selbst betrifft; mit
einiger Genauigkeit; bei einem Nachtkampf aber, wie dieser, — dem
einzigen in diesem Kriege zwischen großen Heeresmassen, — wie hätte
man da irgend etwas genau erkennen mögen? Denn es war zwar
Heller Mondschein, aber man sah sich einander doch nur, wie es im
Mondschein eben nicht anders ist, wo man zwar die Körpergestalt vor
Augen sieht, aber doch'nicht gewiß weiß, ob man einen Freund vor
sich hat. - Von den Schwerbewaffneten wurden in dem Gedränge
beiderseits nicht wenige niedergeworfen. Von den Athenern war ein
Theil bereits geworfen, während Andere noch im ersten Anlauf
vordrangen, ohne gelitten zu haben. Ein großer Theil ihres übrigen
Heeres hatte eben erst die Höhen erstiegen, ein anderer war noch im
Ansteigen begriffen, so daß sie nicht wußten, welchem Trupp sie sich
anschließen sollten. Denn bei den Vordersten, nachdem sie
zurückgeworfen waren, befand sich bereits Alles in der größten Verwirrung,
und vor lauter Geschrei war es schwer, etwas zu unterscheiden. Die
siegreichen Syrakusaner nämlich und ihre Bundesgenossen ermunterten
sich einander mit lautem Geschrei, zumal eS bei der Nacht auch nicht
möglich war, auf andere Art Kommando's zu geben, indem sie
zugleich den Anrückenden die Spitze boten; die athenischen
Abtheilungen aber mußten sich einander suchen, und Alles, was von der
feindlichen Seite her kam, auch wenn es Freunde von den schon
wieder fliehend Umkehrenden waren, hielten sie für feindlich. Auch
machten sie unter sich selbst großen Lärm, indem sie einander häufig
nach der Losung fragten, weil auf andere Weise eine Erkennung nicht
möglich war, und zwar Alle zugleich, und machten so auch die Feinde
mit dem Losungswort bekannt.- Sie selber aber erfuhren die der
Feinde nicht, da diese, siegrcich'und nicht zerstreut, wie sie waren,
sich gegenseitig gut erkennen konnten.. Wenn also die Athener selbst
in überlegener Zahl auf Feindliche trafen, so entgingen ihnen diese,
weil sie ihre Losung kannten; blieben aber die Athener, die Antwort ²³⁴
schuldig, so wurden sie niedergehauene Das größte Unheil aber
verursachte der Schlachtgesang, denn da derselbe auf beiden Seiten fast
gleich war, so entstand daraus große.Verwirrung. Du Argiver und
Kerkyräer und was sonst Dorischen Stammes, aus Seiten der
Athener war, wenn sie den Schlachtgesang anstimmten, erweckten bei den
Athenern selber Furcht, und die Feinde ebenso. Endlich, da die
Verwirrung überHand genommen, stießen an vielen Punkten ihre eigenen
Abtheilungen gegen einander, Freund gegen Freund und Mitbürger
gegen Mitbürger, und es kam nicht nur zum bloßen Schrecken, sondern
sie wurden auch wirklich handgemein und konnten, nur mit^Mühe
auseinander gebracht werden. Vom Feind verfolgt, stürzten sich Viele
die.Abhänge hinunter und fanden ihren Tod, denn der Weg von
Epipolä herab ist eng. Von denen, die sich, indeß glücklich in die
Ebene hinab gerettet hatten, .entkam die Mehrzahl in das Lager,
zumal die vom frühern Heere, welche die Gelegenheit deS Ortes
besser kannten; von den später Herabgekommenen aber verfehlte ein
Theil den Weg und. irrte in der Gegend umher; diese sind, nachdem
es Tag geworden, von der streifenden Reiterei der Syrakusaner
niedergehauen worden. i .

Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs First1KGreek (Thucydides. Geschichte des Peloponnesischen Kriegs. Braun, Theodor, translator. Leipzig: Insel-Verlag, 1917.) — 7.44 focus

Und nun gerieten die Athener in Verwirrung und bereits
in eine sehr bedenkliche Lage. Ich habe mich vergeblich be
müht, von der einen oder der anderen Seite Auskunft darüber
zu erhalten, wie es dabei im einzelnen zugegangen. Denn
selbst am Tage, wo man deutlicher sieht, weiß der einzelne,
der eine Schlacht mitmacht, davon kaum mehr als er selbst
erlebt. Wie hätte man sich also von dieser nächtlichen Schlacht,
der einzigen eben, zu der es in diesem Kriege zwischen größeren
Heeren kam, ein deutliches Bild machen können? Es war
zwar Heller Mondschein, und man konnte einander sehen, wie
man eben bei Mondlicht Gestatten sich gegenüber sieht, aber
Freund und Feind nicht unterscheiden. Auf beiden Seiten ver
liefen sich eine Menge Leute im Gedränge. Die Athener waren
zum Teil schon besiegt, während andere im ersten Angriff noch
siegreich vordrangen. Ein großer Teil ihres übrigen Heeres
war entweder eben erst oben angekommen oder noch im Begriff,
die Höhe zu ersteigen, und man wußte nicht, wohin man sich
wenden sollte. Denn vorn war, seit der Rückzug begonnen,
schon alles in Verwirrung, und bei dem Geschrei war es schwer,
etwas zu untershceiden. Die siegreichen Syrakuser und ihre
Verbündeten feuerten sich nämlich durch lautes Schreien an,
da es bei Nacht unmöglich war, sich auf andere Weise ver
nehmlich zu machen, und wußten sich dabei zugleich der An
griffe der Athener zu erwehren. Die nachkommenden Athener
aber suchten ihre Landsleute und hielten alles, was ihnen ent
gegenkam, auch wenn es zu ihren zurückströmenden Freunden
gehörte, für Feinde. Und bei dem ewigen Fragen nach der
Losung, woran sie sich allein erkennen konnten, gab es nicht
nur bei ihnen einen Höllenlärm, weil sie alle zugleich fragten,
sondern sie wurde auch den Feinden bekannt. Sie aber wußten
deren Losung nicht, da diese als Sieger geschlossen vorgingen
und sich leichter erkennen konnten. Wenn sie also bei einem
Zusammenstoß mit einem feindlichen Truppenteil die Oberhand
hatten, kamen die Gegner davon, weil sie die Losung kannten;
sie dagegen wurden niedergemacht, wenn sie keine Antwort
gaben. Besonders gefährlich wurde ihnen der Paian. Denn
da er auf beiden Seiten annähernd derselbe war, wußten sie
nie, wie sie dran waren. Wenn die Argeier, die Kerkyräer
oder andere Dorier im Heere der Athener ihn anstimmten, so
setzten sie die Athener dadurch ebenso in Schrecken, wie wenn
es die Feinde taten. Schließlich, nachdem die Verwirrung
einmal eingerissen, stießen selbst Abteilungen ihres eigenen
Heeres, Freund mit Freund, Bürger mit Bürger, zusammen
und gerieten dadurch nicht nur in Schrecken, sondern auch ins
Handgemenge, so daß sie nur mit Mühe wieder auseinander
kamen. Da sie von Epipolai nur auf einem schmalen Pfade
wieder Hinunterkommen konnten, stürzten sich viele, um den
Verfolgern zu entgehen, selbst von den Abhängen und kamen
dabei ums Leben. Die übrigen aber, welche glücklich in die
Ebene hinuntergelangt waren, flüchteten sich ins Lager, so
namentlich die mit der Artlichkeit schon besser bekannten alten
Soldaten, während die erst neu angekommenen vielfach den
rechten Weg verfehlten und sich in der Umgegend verliefen. Die
aber wurden, als es Tag geworden, von der umherschwärmenden
syrakusischen Reiterei niedergemacht.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponèse First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése, Vol. 1-2. Zévort, Marie Charles, translator. Paris: Charpentier, 1852.) — 7.44 focus

XLIV. De ce moment, le trouble et la confusion furent tels parmi les Athéniens, que, d’un côté comme de l’autre, on était fort embarrassé pour dire en détail comment les choses s’étaient passées. En effet, même dans un combat de jour, où tout se voit, ceux qui assistent ne connaissent pas tous les détails; à grand’peine chacun sait-il ce qui le concerne personnellement; comment donc une affaire de nuit comme celle-ci, la seule du reste qui ait eu lieu dans cette guerre entre des armées considérables, pourrait-elle être connue avec certitude? La lune brillait; mais on ne se distinguait de part et d’autre que comme on peut le faire par le clair de lune, sans démêler si la forme aperçue ¹ était celle d'un ami. Une multitude d’hoplites des deux partis tournoyaient dans un étroit espace. Une partie de l’armée athénienne était déjà vaincue que le reste, encore intact, et obéissant à la première impulsion, continuait à s’avancer. Tel corps ne faisait qu’aborder les pentes, tel autre continuait à les gravir; si bien qu’ils ne savaient de quel côté se diriger; car, les premières troupes étant déjà en déroute, il était difficile, au milieu du pêle-mêle général et des cris, de les reconnaître. Les Syracusains et leurs alliés, se voyant victorieux, s’animaient à grands cris, seul moyen de ralliement possible dans l’obscurité; en même temps ils recevaient vigoureusement les assaillants. Les Athéniens, au contraire, se cherchaient eux-mêmes; ils voyaient des ennemis dans tous ceux qu’ils rencontraient, fût-ce même de leurs amis refluant vers eux dans leur fuite; ils demandaient à chaque instant le mot d’ordre, faute d’autre moyen de se reconnaître, et, le demandant tous à la fois, ils accroissaient encore le désordre dans leurs rangs et livraient ce mot à l’ennemi. Ils n’apprenaient pas de même celui des Syracusains; car ceux-ci, victorieux et moins dispersés, avaient moins de peine à se reconnaître. Aussi, quand les Syracusains tombaient au milieu de forces supérieures, ils leur échappaient par la connaissance qu’ils avaient du mot d’ordre; les Athéniens, au contraire, ne pouvant répondre, étaient égorgés. Mais ce qui leur fit le plus de mal fut le chant du Péan; semblable de part et d’autre, il les jetait dans une grande perplexité : soit qu’il fût entonné par les Argiens, les Corcyréens et tous les corps de race dorique appartenant à leur propre armée, soit qu’il le fût par l’ennemi, l’effroi était le même. A la fin, se heurtant entre eux au milieu de la confusion générale, amis contre amis, citoyens contre citoyens, ils en vinrent, sur beaucoup de points, non plus seulement à s’effrayer, mais à se changer mutuellement, et ne se séparèrent qu’à grand’peine. Poursuivis par l’ennemi, beaucoup se jetèrentdans les précipices et y périrent; car la descente d’Épipolæ est étroile. Une fois descendus des hauteurs et arrivés dans la plaine, la plupart, surtout les soldats de la première armée qui connaissaient mieux les lieux, purent se réfugier au camp; mais, parmi les derniers arrivés, quelques-uns se trompèrent de route et s’égarèrent dans la campagne; au jour ils furent entourés par les cavaliers syracusains et massacrés.

Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése First1KGreek (Thucydides. Histoire de la Guerre du Péloponnése. Bétant, Élie-Ami, translator. Paris: Librairie de L. Hachette, 1863.) — 7.44 focus

Dès ce moment les Athéniens tombèrent dans une étrange confusion. Quant aiix détails, aucun des deux partis na pu me les fournir d’une manière précise. De jour, où tout est plus distinct, ceux qui assistent à une bataille savent à peine ce qui se passe autour d’eux : comment donc, pour un combat nocturne — le seul que, dans le cours de cette guerre, se soient livré de grandes armées, — obtenir des renseignements certains? La lune brillait à la vérité, mais on ne se voyait que comme on peut se voir à sa lumière, c’est-à-dire qu’on apercevait bien la forme des corps, mais sans discerner l’ami de l’ennemi. Une foule d'hoplites des deux partis tournoyaient dans un étroit espace. Parmi les Athéniens, les uns étaient déjà vaincus, d'autres poussaient en avant sans rencontrer d’obstacles; ceux-ci étaient sur la hauteur, ceux-là gravissaient encore. On ne savait où se diriger; car, une fois la défaite commencée, le désordre devint général, et les clameurs empêchaient de se reconnaître. Les Syracusains et leurs alliés, se sentant victorieux, s’exhortaient à grands cris, seule manière de communiquer entre eux pendant la nuit; en même temps, ils recevaient le choc des assaillants. Les Athéniens se cherchaient les uns les autres, et prenaient pour ennemis tous ceux qu’ils rencontraient, même les leurs en retraite. N’ayant d’autre moyen de ralliement que le mot d’ordre, ils le demandaient tous ensemble et augmentaient ainsi la confusion; leurs questions réitérées finirent par le révéler à l’ennemi, tandis qu’ils n’apprenaient pas de même celui de leurs adversaires, qui, vainqueurs et non dispersés, se reconnaissaient mieux. Aussi, quand les Syracusains venaient à se heurter contre des forces supérieures, ils échappaient grâce à la connaissance de ce signe; les Athéniens, .au contraire, ne pouvant répondre, étaient massacrés. Rien ne leur fit plus de mal que le chant du Péan, qui, étant à peu près le même des deux côtés, les plongeait dans l’incertitude ¹. Toutes les fois que les Argiens, les Corcy-réens et les autres Doriens de l’armée athénienne entonnaient cet hymne, ils causaient aux Athéniens le même effroi que les ennemis; si bien qu’en plus d’un endroit où ils se rencontrèrent au milieu du tumulte, amis avec amis, citoyens avec citoyens, ils ne se bornèrent plus à s’effrayer, mais ils se chargèrent mutuellement, et ne se séparèrent qu’à grand’ peine. Poursuivis dans leur fuite, plusieurs se jetèrent dans des précipices où ils trouvèrent la mort, car la descente des Ëpipoles est étroite. De ceux qui parvinrent dans la plaine, la plupart, surtout les soldats de la première expédition, qui connaissaient mieux le pays, se réfugièrent au camp; quelques-uns des nouveaux venus se fourvoyèrent dans la campagne. Dès qu’il fit jour, la cavalerie syracusaine battit l’estrade et les sabra.

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.) — 7.44 focus

[1] By this time the Athenians were getting into a state of so great confusion and perplexity that it has not been easy to learn from either side just how the several events occurred. In the daytime things are clearer, of course, yet even so those who are present do not know everything that happens, but each man barely knows what happens near himself; but in a battle by night—the only one that took place in this war between large armies—how could anyone know anything clearly?

[2] For though there was a bright moon, they could only see one another, as it is natural to do in moonlight—seeing before them the vision of a person but mistrusting their recognition of their own friends. There were, besides, large numbers of hoplites belonging to both sides moving about in a narrow space. And on the Athenian side, some were already being defeated, while others, still in their first onset, were advancing unchecked;

[3] but of the rest of their army a large portion had only just finished the ascent and others were still coming up, so that they did not know which body to join. For the front lines were already all in confusion in consequence of the rout that had taken place, and the two sides were difficult to distinguish by reason of the outcries.

[4] The Syracusans and their allies, as they were winning, were cheering one another and indulging in no little shouting—it being impossible in the night to communicate in any other way— while at the same time they held their ground against their assailants; the Athenians were trying to find their own comrades, and regarded as hostile whatever came from the opposite direction, even though it might be a party of friends belonging to the troops already in flight, and as they were constantly calling out the demand for the watchword, the only means they had of distinguishing friend from foe, they not only caused much confusion in their own ranks, everybody making the demand at the same time, but also made their watchword known to the enemy. They had not the same opportunity, however, of learning the enemy's watchword, because the Syracusans, who were winning the day and had not become scattered, had less difficulty in recognizing one another.

[5] The result was that if a body of Athenians, even though superior in number, fell in with a party of the enemy, these would make their escape, inasmuch as they knew the Athenian watchword, whereas if they on their part could not give the answer they were put to the sword.

[6] But that which put the Athenians at the greatest disadvantage and did them most harm was the singing of the paean; for the song of both armies was very similar and caused perplexity. Whenever, that is, the Argives or the Corcyraeans or any Dorian contingent of the Athenian army would raise the paean, the Athenians were just as much terrified thereby as when the enemy sang.

[7] And so finally, when once they had been thrown into confusion, coming into collision with their own comrades in many different parts of the army, friends with friends and citizens with fellow-citizens, they not only became panic-stricken but came to blows with one another and were with difficulty separated.

[8] And as they were being pursued by the enemy many hurled themselves down from the bluffs and perished; for the way down from Epipolae was narrow; and of those who in their attempt to escape got down to the level ground, the greater part, and especially those who belonged to the first expedition and therefore had a better acquaintance with the country, got through to the camp, but of those who had come later, some missed the roads and wandered about over the country, and these when day came were destroyed by the Syracusan cavalry, which were scouring the fields.

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.) — 7.44 focus

[1] Now the Athenians were by this time in much disorder and perplexity; but on this subject it was not easy for me to ascertain from either side, in what way each event occurred. For in the day-time the parties engaged have, indeed, a clearer knowledge, though not a perfect one even then, for each man barely knows what happens in his own part of the field. But in a night engagement, (and this was the only one which occurred between great armies during this war,) how could any one have a distinct knowledge of any thing?

[2] For though there was a bright moon, they only saw one another (as was natural they should by moonlight) so as to discern the form of the body before them, but to mistrust their knowledge of its being that of a friend. And there were no few heavy-armed on each side moving in a narrow space.

[3] Thus on the side of the Athenians some were even now being defeated, and others coming up unconquered for their first attack. A large part, too, of the rest of their forces had only just ascended, and others were still ascending; so that they did not know on what point to advance. For in consequence of the rout which had taken place, every thing in front was now in confusion, and it was difficult to distinguish orders through the uproar.

[4] For the Syracusans and their allies, on gaining the advantage, were cheering each other with no little shouting, (it being impossible during the night to express themselves in any other way,) and at the same time were receiving the charge of their assailants: and the Athenians were in search of one another, and thought that whoever met them was a foe, even though he might be a friend, belonging to those who were now flying back. And by their frequently asking for the watchword, because they could not by any other means distinguish them, they both caused great confusion on their own side by all asking at once, and made it known to the enemy;

[5] while theirs, on the other hand, they did not so easily discover, because, as they were victorious and not dispersed, they were better recognised by each other. So that if they fell in with any of the enemy with the advantage of numbers en their own side, the Syracusans escaped from them, inasmuch as they knew the Athenian watchword;

[6] but if they themselves [in such a case] did not answer, they were put to the sword. But what especially and in the greatest degree hurt them, was the singing of their hymns; for as it was very similar on each side, it occasioned perplexity. For the Argives, the Corcyraeans, and all of the Dorian race that were with the Athenians, struck terror into them whenever they raised their paean;

[7] and so did the enemy likewise. Thus having at last, when once they were thrown into disorder, come into collision with each other in different parts of the army, friends with friends, and countrymen with countrymen, they were not only full of fear, but even closed in battle with each other, and were with difficulty parted.

[8] And now, as they were being pursued, the greater part threw themselves down the cliffs, and perished; as the way down again from Epipolae was narrow. And when those who escaped from the heights had reached the plain, though many of them, especially such as belonged to the former armament, through their greater acquaintance with the localities escaped safely to the camp, some of those who had lately arrived lost their way, and wandered about the country; and these, when it was day, the Syracusan horse intercepted, and put to the sword.

Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci First1KGreek (Historia Belli Peloponnesiaci. Haase, Friedrich, translator. Paris: Firmin Didot, 1869.) — 7.44 focus

[1] Hic vero Athenienses jam in magna perturbaliooe et consilii inopia esse coeperunt, quam ex neutris ne comperire quidem facile erat, quo quidque modo contigisset. Nam interdiu quidem quae fiunt, magis perspicua sunt, sed tamen ne haec quidem omnia illi, qui interfuerunt, sed vix unus quisque novit res in ea parte gestas, in qua ipse fuit; in nocturna vero pugna, quae sola in Iioc bello inter magnos, exercitus tunc est commissa, qua ratione quis aliquid ccrto sciret?

[2] Nam luna quidem fulgebat, sed ita se invicem conspiciebant, ut ad lunam credibile eat, ipsam quidem corporis speciem ut prospicerent, sed in agnoscendo amico diffiderent. Utrorumque vero haud paud gravis armatunc milites in angusto loci spatio versabantur.

[3] Et Atheniensium alii quidem jam vincebantur, alii vero sua prima impressione adhuc invicti pergebant. Multi autem etiam ex l reliquo exercitu ad eos partim jam adscenderant, partim * adhuc adventabant, adeo ut nesti rent, quonam tenderent Jam enim primae agminis partes, quum fuga facta esset, tota perturbatae erant, et propter clamorem difficile dignosti poterant.

[4] Nam et Syracusani et socii, qui vincebant, adhortabantur inter se, clamore haud parvo utentes, qood alia ratione noctu quidquam significare non possent, et simul eorum, qui se ferebant obviam, impetum sustinebant; et Athenienses se ipsos quaeritabant, et quoslibet oppositos, quamvis essent amici ex illis, qui fuga se jam recipiebant, hostes esse ducebant, et dum crebris interrogationibus tesseram sciscitantur, quod nulla alia ratione suos dignoscere poterant, et sibi ipsis ingentem perturbationem praebebant, quum simul omnes sciscitarentur, et hostibus eam prodiderunt;

[5] contra illorum tesseram non item intelligebant, quia illi vincentes, nec dissipati, minus inter se ignoti erant; quare, si in aliquos hostes incidissent, quamvis plus virium haberent, tamen illi elabebantur, quod eorum tesseram nossent; ipsi vero si non responderent, trucidabantur.

[6] Quod autem maxime atque praecipue nocuit, fuit paeanis modulatio; quae quum utrorumque similis esset, dubitationem afferebat. Nam et Argivi et Corcyraei, et quicquid Doricae gentis cum Atheniensibus erat, quoties paeana canerent, Atheniensibus timorem incutiebant , et hostes pariter.

[7] Quamobrem ad extremum, postquam semel perturbati erant, in plerisque agminis partibus inter se ipsos concurrentes, et amici cum amicis, et cives cum civibus, non solum metum sibi incusserunt, sed etiam ad manus inter se venerunt, et aegre dirimebantur.

[8] Atque hostibus insequentibus multi se ex rupibus praecipitantes interemerunt, quod artus esset ex Epipolis ad regrediendum descensus, et postquam ii, qui ex locis superioribus incolumes evaserant, in planitiem descendissent , eorum plerique, et quotquot erant ex priore exercitu, propter majorem regionis notitiam, in sua castra perfugiebant , ex iis vero, qui posterius venerant, nonnulli ab itineribus aberrantes per agrum passim errarunt, quos., ubi dies illuxit, Syracusanorum equitatus circumfusus profligavit.

La storia di Tucidide First1KGreek (Thucydides. Della storia di Tucidide volgarizzata libri otto. Anonymous translator. Florence: Tipografia Galileiana, 1835.) — 7.44 focus

E già gli Ateniesi trovavansi allora in gran disordine ed imbrigamento, tra cui non era facile sapere gli uni dagli altri i particolari andamenti delle cose. Conciossiachè se di giorno allorché i fatti sono più appariscenti, nondimeno neanche quelli stessi che vi si son trovati non li sanno tutti, e solo ciascuno sa a fatica quello a che ebbe mano ; come mai in una battaglia notturna (che tra due grandi eserciti intervenne solo in questa guerra) poteasi aver certezza di nulla ? Splendeva, è vero, la luna ; ma come è solito al chiarore di essa vedevansi scambievolmente in modo da scorgere la figura di un corpo, senza però discemere con sicurezza se fosse quel d’un amico. Inoltre grande era la moltitudine de’ soldati gravi d'amendue gli eserciti, che si aggiravauo in quel luogo angusto. E già alcuni degli Ateniesi erano vinti, altri marciavano tuttavia interi col primo impeto, e grau parte del rimanente dell’esercito o erano saliti d’allora sull’ Epipole, od ancor vi salivano ; onde non sapevano dove rivolgersi, perchè le loro genti che prime aveau menato le mani erano ornai tutte fugate e sbaragliate , e difficile era il riconoscerle in mezzo a quelle grida. Imperciocché i Siracusani e gli alleati nel bollor della vittoria s’incoraggiavano con alti urli, non potendo di notte darsi altro segnale, ed insieme sostenevano l’incalzante nemico ; e gli Ateniesi si cercavano tra loro, e credevano nemici tutti quei che si avanzavano incontro, fossero anche amici, siccome lo erano quelli che già fuggivano addietro. E fitto fitto domandandosi la parola ( non v’essendosi altro modo di riconoscersi ), causavano a sè stessi grave disordine col domandarla tutti ad un tempo, tanto che la resero nota anche ai nemici, senza sapere del pari qual fosse la loro; perchè quelli, come vincitori , combattendo riuniti, più agevolmente si conoscevano. Cosicché se gli Ateniesi anche superiori di forze s’abbattevano in alcuni dei nemici, questi si salvavano perchè sapevano la parola di loro ; all’opposto se essi non rispondevano venivano trucidati. Quello però che più d’ogni altro nocque loro grandissimamente fu la cantilena del Peana, che essendo quasi la stessa da tutte e due le parti, gli metteva nell' incertezza ; perciocché quando gli Argivi ed i Corfuotti, e quanti Dorici eran con gli Ateniesi , cantavano il Peana , incutevano loro timore del pari che i nemici. Onde alla fine poiché una volta si furono disordinati, raffrontandosi insieme in molte parti del campo , amici con amici, cittadini con cittadini, non solo recavansi in paura, ma venuti ancora alle mani tra loro a gran pena si separavano, ed inseguiti dal nemico, molti si precipitavano giù dalle rupi e morivano ; essendo angusta la via per ricalare dall’Epipole. La maggior parte di quelli che dall’alto poterono scender nella pianura a salvamento , e tutti quelli che erano del primo esercito , per la pratica che aveano del paese si ricondussero nell’alloggiamento ; gli altri però venuti dopo, o smarrite le strade vagavano per la campagna, o venuto il dì erano uccisi dai cavalli siracusani che scorrevano all’ intorno.

Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 7.44

ed. Henry Stuart Jones

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