Edgar Carew Marchant Commentary on Thucydides Book 2 2.22

[1] But Pericles, seeing them in passion for their present loss and ill advised and being confident he was in the right touching not sallying, assembled them not nor called any council for fear lest being together they might upon passion rather than judgment commit some error, but looked to the guarding of the city and as much as he could to keep it in quiet.

[2] Nevertheless he continually sent out horsemen to keep the scouts of the army from entering upon and doing hurt to the fields near the city. And there happened at Phrygii a small skirmish between one troop of horse of the Athenians, with whom were also the Thessalians, and the horsemen of the Boeotians. Wherein the Athenians and Thessalians had not the worse till such time as the Boeotians were aided by the coming in of their men of arms; and then they were put to flight and a few of the Athenians and Thessalians slain, whose bodies, notwithstanding, they fetched off the same day without leave of the enemy.

[3] And the Peloponnesians the next day erected a trophy. This aid of the Thessalians was upon an ancient league with the Athenians and consisted of Larissaeans, Pharsalians, Parasians, Cranonians, Pyrasians, Gyrtonians, Pheraeans. The leaders of the Larissaeans were Polymedes and Aristonus, men of contrary factions in their city; of the Pharsalians, Meno; and of the rest, out of the several cities several commanders.

[1] He, meanwhile, seeing anger and infatuation just now in the ascendant, and confident of his wisdom in refusing a sally, would not call either assembly or meeting of the people, fearing the fatal results of a debate inspired by passion and not by prudence. Accordingly, he addressed himself to the defence of the city, and kept it as quiet as possible,

[2] though he constantly sent out cavalry to prevent raids on the lands near the city from flying parties of the enemy. There was a trifling affair at Phrygia between a squadron of the Athenian horse with the Thessalians and the Boeotian cavalry; in which the former had rather the best of it, until the heavy infantry advanced to the support of the Boeotians, when the Thessalians and Athenians were routed and lost a few men, whose bodies, however, were recovered the same day without a truce. The next day the Peloponnesians set up a trophy.

[3] Ancient alliance brought the Thessalians to the aid of Athens ; those who came being the Larisaeans, Pharsalians, Cranonians, Pyrasians, Gyrtonians, and Pheraeans. The Larisaean commanders were Polymedes and Aristonus, two party leaders in Larisa ; the Pharsalian general was Menon; each of the other cities had also its own commander.

Perikles sah, daß sie den gegenwärtigen Stand der Dinge
ungeduldig ertrugen und daß ihre Gedanken nicht die heilsamsten seien,
vertraute aber, daß seine Ansicht in Betreff eines Ausfalls die richtige
sei, und ließ weder eine Volksversammlung, noch sonst eine Zusammen-
kunst veranstalten, damit nicht eine solche Versammlung, mehr der
Leidenschaft als ruhiger Einsicht Raum gebend, Fehler begehe. Die
Stadt ließ er wohl bewachen und hielt sie so ruhig, als eben möglich.
Reiterei sandte er ununterbrochen aus, damit nickt Streistruppen des
feindlichen Heeres in die nahe bei der Stadt gelegenen Gründe
einfielen und Schaden anrichteten, und es kam auch bei Phrygioi
zwischen einer atheniensischen Reiterabtheilung, bei welcher auch Thessaler
waren, und der böotischen Reiterei zu einem kleinen Gefecht, in
welchem die Athener und Thessaler nicht im Nachtheil waren, bis sie sich
zurückzogen, als die Schwerbewaffneten den Böotiern zu Hülfe eilten.
Hiebei verloren die Thessaler und Atheuer einige Leute, die sie jedoch
noch au demselben Tage, ohne daß deshalb ein Waffenstillstand eintrat,
abholten. Des folgenden Tages stellten die Peloponnesier ein
Siegeszeichen auf. — Diese Hülfeleistung der Thessaler geschah zusolge eines
alten Waffenbündnisscs mit den Athenern, und es waren ihrerseits ^{1 2 3}
Larisäer, Pharsalier, Kranonicr, Pyrasier, Gyrtonier und Pheräer
gekommen. Ihre Anführer waren: aus Larisa Polymedes und
Aritsonus, jeder von seiner Partei geschickt, aus Pharsalos Menon und
so noch Andere, sür jeden Staat besonders.

Perikles sah recht gut, wie widerwillig sie diesen Zustand
ertrugen und wie schlecht sie auf ihn zu sprechen waren, blieb
aber nach wie vor bei seiner Ansicht, daß man sich draußen
auf keine Schlacht einlassen dürfe. Er ließ es deshalb weder
zu einer Volksversammlung noch zu anderen Zusammenkünften
kommen aus Furcht, daß eine so vielköpfige Versammlung,
statt die Sache verständig zu erwägen, sich von ihrer Stimmung
hinreißen lassen und Dummheiten machen könnte. Inzwischen
ließ er jedoch die Stadt sorgfältig bewachen und die Ruhe
möglichst aufrechterhalten. Auch schickte er beständig Reiter
aus, um zu verhindern, daß feindliche Streifpartien in der
Nähe der Stadt die Felder verwüsteten. Bei der Gelegenheit
kam es bei Phrygioi mal zu einem Gefecht zwischen einer Ab­
teilung athenischer und thessalischer Reiter und der böotischen
Reiterei, in dem sich die Athener und Thessaler gut hielten,
bis sie sich dann doch zurückziehen mußten, weil den Böotiern
schweres Fußvolk zu Hilfe kam. Die Athener und Thessaler
hatten dabei einige Tote, die sie jedoch noch an demselben Tage
auch ohne Waffenstillstand wieder mitnehmen konnten. Die
Peloponnesier aber errichteten am Tage daraufein Siegeszeichen.
Die Thessaler waren auf Grund des alten Bundesverhält­
nisses zu den Athenern gestoßen, infolgedessen sich Larisaier,
Pharsaler, Parasier, Kranonier, Pyrasier, Gyrtonier und
Pheraier bei ihnen eingefunden hatten. Ihre Anführer waren
aus Larisa Polymedos und Aristonus, von jeder Partei einer,
aus Pharsalos Menon, und ebenso hatten auch die übrigen
alle ihre eigenen Befehlshaber.

XXII. Périclès, voyant les Athéniens aigris par leur situation, et dans une disposition d’esprit qui ne leur permettait pas de juger sainement, persuadé d’ailleurs qu'il avait raison de s’opposer à la sortie, ne convoqua ni assemblée, ni réunion d'aucun genre. Il craignait qu'une fois réunis ils ne cédassent à la colère plus qu'à la prudence et ne commissent quelque faute. Il se contentait donc de garder la ville et d’y maintenir autant que possible la tranquillité. Cependant il faisait sortir constamment de la cavalerie, afin d’empêcher les coureurs ennemis de s’écarter de l’armée pour tomber sur les champs voisins de la ville et les dévaster. Il y eut à Phrygia un léger engagement entre des cavaliers athéniens soutenus par les Thessaliens, et un parti de cavalerie béotienne. Les Athéniens et les Thessaliens se soutinrent sans désavantage jusqu’au moment où des hoplites venus au secours des Béotiens les mirent en déroute. Ils perdirent un petit nombre d’hommes et purent, malgré cet échec, enlever leurs morts le jour même, sans convention. Les Péloponnésiens élevèrent un trophée le lendemain.

Les Thessaliens avaient secouru les Athéniens en vertu d’une ancienne alliance. Ils venaient de Larisse, de Pharsale, de Parasos, de Cranon, de Pirasos, de Gyrtone et de Phères. Ceux de Larisse étaient commandés par Polymède et Aristonoüs, tous deux de factions différentes ¹ ; ceux de Pharsale par Ménon ; ceux des autres villes avaient aussi leurs chefs parti- culiers.

Périclès, s’apercevant que les Athéniens ôtaient aigris par les événements et que l’opinion était égarée, convaincu d’ailleurs qu’il avait raison de s’opposer à toute sortie, ne convoquait ni assemblée ni réunion quelconque, de peur que le peuple ne fît quelque imprudence, s’il ne prenait conseil que de son courroux. Il se contentait de garder la ville et d’y maintenir autant qu’il le pouvait la tranquillité ; mais il expédiait journellement des cavaliers, pour empêcher les coureurs ennemis d’infester les environs d’Athènes. Il y eut même à Phrygies un léger engagement entre la cavalerie béotienue et un escadron athénien, appuyé par des Thessaliens. Les Athéniens soutinrent le combat sans désavantage, jusqu’au moment où l’ennemi reçut un renfort d’hoplites, qui les força de se replier avec quelque perte ; toutefois ils enlevèrent leurs morts le jour même sans composition ¹ . Le lendemain, les Péloponésiens érigèrent un trophée. Ces auxiliaires thessaliens étaient venus en vertu de l’ancien pacte avec Athènes ² ; leur troupe se composait de Larisséens, de Pharsaliens ³ , de Cranoniens, de Pyrasiens, de Gyrtoniens et de Phéréens. A leur tête se trouvaient Polymédès et Aristonoos, tous deux de Larisse, mais de factions opposées, et Ménon de Pharsale. Chaque ville avait son chef particulier.

[1] Pericles, however, seeing them exasperated at the present moment and that their intentions were not for the best, and convinced that his judgment was right about refusing to go out, would not convoke a meeting of the assembly or any gathering whatever, for fear that if they got together there would be an outbreak of passion without judgment that would end in some serious mistake;

[2] moreover he guarded the city, and as far as he could kept it free from disturbances. He did, however, constantly send out detachments of cavalry to prevent flying parties from the main army from raiding the fields near the city and ravaging them; and there was a cavalry skirmish at Phrygia between a company of Athenian horsemen, assisted by some Thessalians, and the Boeotian cavalry, in which the Athenians and Thessalians fully held their own, until their heavy infantry came to the support of the Boeotians, when they were routed. A few of the Thessalians and the Athenians were killed, but their bodies were recovered the same day without a truce;

[3] and on the next day the Peloponnesians set up a trophy. This auxiliary force of the Thessalians was sent to the Athenians in accordance with an ancient alliance, ¹ and those who came were Larisaeans, Pharsalians, Crannonians, Pyrasians, Gyrtonians, and Pheraeans. And their leaders were, from Larissa, Polymedes and Aristonous, each representing his own faction, and from Pharsalus Menon; and the others had their own commander city by city.

[1] He, in the mean time, seeing them angry at the present state of things, and not in the best mind; and being confident that he took a right view in not wishing to march out against the enemy, did not call them to an assembly, or any other meeting (that they might not commit themselves by coming together with more anger than judgment);

[2] but looked to the defence of the city and kept it quiet, as far as possible. He was, however, continually sending out cavalry, to prevent the advanced guard of the army from falling on the estates near the city and ravaging them. There was also a skirmish of cavalry at Phrygia, between one squadron of the Athenian horse, joined by some Thessalians, and the cavalry of the Boeotians, in which the Athenians and Thessalians had rather the advantage, until, on the heavy-armed coming to the succour of the Boeotians, they were routed, and some few of them killed: they took up their bodies however on the same day without a truce;

[3] and the Peloponnesians erected a trophy the day after. This assistance on the part of the Thessalians was given to the Athenians on the ground of their ancient alliance; and those who came to them consisted of Larissaeans, Pharsalians, [Parasians,] Cranonians, Pyrasians, Gyrtonians, and Pheraeans. Their commanders were Polymedes and Aristonus, each from his own faction, and Menon from Pharsalus. The rest also had their commanders according to their respective cities.

[1] Pericles vero, quum eos ob praesentem rerum statum graviter indignari, nec optime de rebus sentire videret, quumque persuasum haberet, se de eruptione in hostem non fadeuda recte sentire, eos ad nullam concionem, nullum-que coetum convocabat, ne quid animi impetu potius, quam recto consilio congregati {teccarent; et urbem tuebatur, et quam maxime poterat tranquillam regebaf.

[2] Semper tamen equites emittebat, ne antecursores ab exercitu irruentes in agros urbi vicinos, eos maleficiis allicerent; et leve quoddam equestre proelium inter h«cc in Phrygiis fuit uni Atheniensium equitum turmae et Thessalis, qui ei erant ad* juncti, adversus Boeotorum equites, in quo Athenienses et Thessali non erant inferiores, donec adjutis Boeotis gravis armaturae agmine in fugam sunt versi, et perierunt Thessalorum Alheniensiumque non multi; verum tamen illo ipso die nullis ad hoc induciis factis illos susceperunt. Et Peloponnesii postero die tropaeum statuerunt.

[3] Hoc autem auxilium Thessali Atheniensibus ex vetusto societatis foedere miserant; et venerunt ad eos Larisaei, Pharsalii, Pararii, Cranonii, Pirasii, Gyrtonii, Pheraei. Ipsis vero praeerant ex Larisa Polymedes et Arislonous, diversae uterque fa- ctionis; ex Pharsalo vero Meno; erant autem ceteris quoque ex singulis civitatibus sui cuique praefecti.

[1] Wenn es bisher bei den Rednern an dieser Stätte fast allgemeiner Brauch geworden, den Mann zu rühmen, der mit der Bestattung diese Rede verband, weil an dem Grabe gefallener Krieger ein ehrendes Wort sich zieme, so würde ich es für hinreichend gehalten haben, dass man Helden der That mit einer festlichen Handlung ehre, — wie das denn der Staat durch die Bestattung gethan hat, deren Zeugen ihr so eben gewesen — und würde die Verherrlichung so vieler Männer nicht einem Einzelnen und der zufälligen Wirkung seines Vortrags anheimgegeben haben.

Pericle vedendo che adirati per il presente stato di cose discorrevano il peggio, ed avendo per giusta la sua determinazione di opporsi alla sortita, non più teneva adunanze popolari, nè alcun consiglio particolare, per paura che, riuniti per impeto furibondo più presto che per riflessione, non trascorressero a qualche sbaglio ; ma teneva guardie per la città, e vi manteneva a tutto potere la calma. Mandava fuori continovamente delle bande di cavalli, per impedire agli scorridori dell’ esercito nemico di gettarsi sulle campagne adiacenti alla città e scorrazzarle. Nei Frigii scaramucciarono una squadra di cavalli ateniesi uniti coi Tessali da una parte , e la cavalleria dei Beozii dall’altra : ove gli Ateniesi ed i Tessali non ebbero la peggio , finché , sopravvenuta a soccorso dei Beozii la milizia grave, furono messi in fuga. Pochi morirono dei Tessali e degli Ateniesi, che il giorno stesso ripresero senza salvocondotto i cadaveri dei loro ; e il dì seguente i Peloponnesi ersero trofeo. Gli Ateniesi avevano cotesto sussidio dei Tessali per antico trattato di alleanza, ed erano venuti a loro dalla Tessaglia i Larissei» i Farsalii, i Paralii, i Cranonii, i Pirasii, i Girtoni, i Ferei. Quei di Larissa avevano per capitano Polimede ed Aristenoo, ciascuno dei quali comandava la sua parte ; e Menone guidava i Farsalii : e parimente gli altri popoli avevano città per città i loro capitani.