Thucydides, Book 2, Chapter 11
Jul. 20th, 2012 07:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hawkwing_lbSection 1:
ἄνδρες Πελοποννήσιοι καὶ ξύμμαχοι, καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν πολλὰς στρατείας καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ Πελοποννήσῳ καὶ ἔξω ἐποιήσαντο, καὶ ἡμῶν αὐτῶν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι οὐκ ἄπειροι πολέμων εἰσίν: ὅμως δὲ τῆσδε οὔπω μείζονα παρασκευὴν ἔχοντες ἐξήλθομεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ πόλιν δυνατωτάτην νῦν ἐρχόμεθα καὶ αὐτοὶ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι στρατεύοντες.
Peleponnesian men and allies, our fathers also made many campaigns in the Peleponnese itself and outside it also, and our elders did not come before us ignorant in war: this nothwithstanding, with us never before having had a greater preparation than this, we are marching out, and also now we are going against a powerful city, and ourselves advancing as the largest and best of armies.
Section 2:
δίκαιον οὖν ἡμᾶς μήτε τῶν πατέρων χείρους φαίνεσθαι μήτε ἡμῶν αὐτῶν τῆς δόξης ἐνδεεστέρους. ἡ γὰρ Ἑλλὰς πᾶσα τῇδε τῇ ὁρμῇ ἐπῆρται καὶ προσέχει τὴν γνώμην, εὔνοιαν ἔχουσα διὰ τὸ Ἀθηναίων ἔχθος πρᾶξαι ἡμᾶς ἃ ἐπινοοῦμεν.
Therefore let us show ourselves to be neither inferior to our fathers in justice nor more lacking in expectation for ourselves. For all Greece in this very effort is exalted and is intent on this resolve, having goodwill for the object of the Athenians' hate, which we contrived to obtain for ourselves.
Section 3:
οὔκουν χρή, εἴ τῳ καὶ δοκοῦμεν πλήθει ἐπιέναι καὶ ἀσφάλεια πολλὴ εἶναι μὴ ἂν ἐλθεῖν τοὺς ἐναντίους ἡμῖν διὰ μάχης, τούτων ἕνεκα ἀμελέστερόν τι παρεσκευασμένους χωρεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πόλεως ἑκάστης ἡγεμόνα καὶ στρατιώτην τὸ καθ᾽ αὑτὸν αἰεὶ προσδέχεσθαι ἐς κίνδυνόν τινα ἥξειν.
Therefore, as many as we imagine [the enemy] to be, and as much assured [as some are] that they would not face us opposite in battle, on account of these things, those having been prepared to give way for some carelessness [must not], but the leader of each city and soldier following him also must always accept danger will come to him.
Section 4:
ἄδηλα γὰρ τὰ τῶν πολέμων, καὶ ἐξ ὀλίγου τὰ πολλὰ καὶ δι᾽ ὀργῆς αἱ ἐπιχειρήσεις γίγνονται: πολλάκις τε τὸ ἔλασσον πλῆθος δεδιὸς ἄμεινον ἠμύνατο τοὺς πλέονας διὰ τὸ καταφρονοῦντας ἀπαρασκεύους γενέσθαι.
For the course of wars are obscure, and from a few places many attacks because of passion have come to pass: often the smaller number having feared the better defended themselves against the greater number because, despising them, the greater number were unprepared.
Section 5:
χρὴ δὲ αἰεὶ ἐν τῇ πολεμίᾳ τῇ μὲν γνώμῃ θαρσαλέους στρατεύειν, τῷ δ᾽ ἔργῳ δεδιότας παρεσκευάσθαι: οὕτω γὰρ πρός τε τὸ ἐπιέναι τοῖς ἐναντίοις εὐψυχότατοι ἂν εἶεν πρός τε τὸ ἐπιχειρεῖσθαι ἀσφαλέστατοι.
It is necessary always in the purpose of war to take the field boldly, but to prepare oneself for the work having had fear: for in this way the one sent towards the enemy may be of the best courage, and the one to be set upon may be steadfast.
Section 6:
ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ ἀδύνατον ἀμύνεσθαι οὕτω πόλιν ἐρχόμεθα, ἀλλὰ τοῖς πᾶσιν ἄριστα παρεσκευασμένην, ὥστε χρὴ καὶ πάνυ ἐλπίζειν διὰ μάχης ἰέναι αὐτούς, εἰ μὴ καὶ νῦν ὥρμηνται ἐν ᾧ οὔπω πάρεσμεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν ἐν τῇ γῇ ὁρῶσιν ἡμᾶς δῃοῦντάς τε καὶ τἀκείνων φθείροντας.
And we ourselves are not coming against a city in this way incapable of defending itsef, but in all things having prepared for itself in the best way, so that it is also altogether necessary to expect them to go to battle, if not already having gone forth - for which we are not yet present - but when they see us laying waste in the land and destroying their people [they will go forth].
Section 7:
πᾶσι γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ὄμμασι καὶ ἐν τῷ παραυτίκα ὁρᾶν πάσχοντάς τι ἄηθες ὀργὴ προσπίπτει: καὶ οἱ λογισμῷ ἐλάχιστα χρώμενοι θυμῷ πλεῖστα ἐς ἔργον καθίστανται.
For in all eyes the sight of suffering falls upon some unexpected passion: and the least in reason, being eager in spirit, is appointed greatest for the deed.
Section 8:
Ἀθηναίους δὲ καὶ πλέον τι τῶν ἄλλων εἰκὸς τοῦτο δρᾶσαι, οἳ ἄρχειν τε τῶν ἄλλων ἀξιοῦσι καὶ ἐπιόντες τὴν τῶν πέλας δῃοῦν μᾶλλον ἢ τὴν αὑτῶν ὁρᾶν.
The Athenians are more likely than any other to do this, as they resolve to rule over all others and to ravage by assault those near by, rather than to see it [done to] them.
Section 9:
ὡς οὖν ἐπὶ τοσαύτην πόλιν στρατεύοντες καὶ μεγίστην δόξαν οἰσόμενοι τοῖς τε προγόνοις καὶ ἡμῖν αὐτοῖς ἐπ᾽ ἀμφότερα ἐκ τῶν ἀποβαινόντων, ἕπεσθ᾽ ὅπῃ ἄν τις ἡγῆται, κόσμον καὶ φυλακὴν περὶ παντὸς ποιούμενοι καὶ τὰ παραγγελλόμενα ὀξέως δεχόμενοι: κάλλιστον γὰρ τόδε καὶ ἀσφαλέστατον, πολλοὺς ὄντας ἑνὶ κόσμῳ χρωμένους φαίνεσθαι.’
So thus against so great a city taking the field, and bearing great expectation [on account of] our forefathers and of ourselves on both sides from the stepping-off, which according to the event, someone should lead, producing order and safeguard concerning everything and accepting the keen military orders: for this is most comely and most steadfast, for the many while in order to be seen attacking.
ἄνδρες Πελοποννήσιοι καὶ ξύμμαχοι, καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν πολλὰς στρατείας καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ Πελοποννήσῳ καὶ ἔξω ἐποιήσαντο, καὶ ἡμῶν αὐτῶν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι οὐκ ἄπειροι πολέμων εἰσίν: ὅμως δὲ τῆσδε οὔπω μείζονα παρασκευὴν ἔχοντες ἐξήλθομεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ πόλιν δυνατωτάτην νῦν ἐρχόμεθα καὶ αὐτοὶ πλεῖστοι καὶ ἄριστοι στρατεύοντες.
Peleponnesian men and allies, our fathers also made many campaigns in the Peleponnese itself and outside it also, and our elders did not come before us ignorant in war: this nothwithstanding, with us never before having had a greater preparation than this, we are marching out, and also now we are going against a powerful city, and ourselves advancing as the largest and best of armies.
Section 2:
δίκαιον οὖν ἡμᾶς μήτε τῶν πατέρων χείρους φαίνεσθαι μήτε ἡμῶν αὐτῶν τῆς δόξης ἐνδεεστέρους. ἡ γὰρ Ἑλλὰς πᾶσα τῇδε τῇ ὁρμῇ ἐπῆρται καὶ προσέχει τὴν γνώμην, εὔνοιαν ἔχουσα διὰ τὸ Ἀθηναίων ἔχθος πρᾶξαι ἡμᾶς ἃ ἐπινοοῦμεν.
Therefore let us show ourselves to be neither inferior to our fathers in justice nor more lacking in expectation for ourselves. For all Greece in this very effort is exalted and is intent on this resolve, having goodwill for the object of the Athenians' hate, which we contrived to obtain for ourselves.
Section 3:
οὔκουν χρή, εἴ τῳ καὶ δοκοῦμεν πλήθει ἐπιέναι καὶ ἀσφάλεια πολλὴ εἶναι μὴ ἂν ἐλθεῖν τοὺς ἐναντίους ἡμῖν διὰ μάχης, τούτων ἕνεκα ἀμελέστερόν τι παρεσκευασμένους χωρεῖν, ἀλλὰ καὶ πόλεως ἑκάστης ἡγεμόνα καὶ στρατιώτην τὸ καθ᾽ αὑτὸν αἰεὶ προσδέχεσθαι ἐς κίνδυνόν τινα ἥξειν.
Therefore, as many as we imagine [the enemy] to be, and as much assured [as some are] that they would not face us opposite in battle, on account of these things, those having been prepared to give way for some carelessness [must not], but the leader of each city and soldier following him also must always accept danger will come to him.
Section 4:
ἄδηλα γὰρ τὰ τῶν πολέμων, καὶ ἐξ ὀλίγου τὰ πολλὰ καὶ δι᾽ ὀργῆς αἱ ἐπιχειρήσεις γίγνονται: πολλάκις τε τὸ ἔλασσον πλῆθος δεδιὸς ἄμεινον ἠμύνατο τοὺς πλέονας διὰ τὸ καταφρονοῦντας ἀπαρασκεύους γενέσθαι.
For the course of wars are obscure, and from a few places many attacks because of passion have come to pass: often the smaller number having feared the better defended themselves against the greater number because, despising them, the greater number were unprepared.
Section 5:
χρὴ δὲ αἰεὶ ἐν τῇ πολεμίᾳ τῇ μὲν γνώμῃ θαρσαλέους στρατεύειν, τῷ δ᾽ ἔργῳ δεδιότας παρεσκευάσθαι: οὕτω γὰρ πρός τε τὸ ἐπιέναι τοῖς ἐναντίοις εὐψυχότατοι ἂν εἶεν πρός τε τὸ ἐπιχειρεῖσθαι ἀσφαλέστατοι.
It is necessary always in the purpose of war to take the field boldly, but to prepare oneself for the work having had fear: for in this way the one sent towards the enemy may be of the best courage, and the one to be set upon may be steadfast.
Section 6:
ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐδ᾽ ἐπὶ ἀδύνατον ἀμύνεσθαι οὕτω πόλιν ἐρχόμεθα, ἀλλὰ τοῖς πᾶσιν ἄριστα παρεσκευασμένην, ὥστε χρὴ καὶ πάνυ ἐλπίζειν διὰ μάχης ἰέναι αὐτούς, εἰ μὴ καὶ νῦν ὥρμηνται ἐν ᾧ οὔπω πάρεσμεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὅταν ἐν τῇ γῇ ὁρῶσιν ἡμᾶς δῃοῦντάς τε καὶ τἀκείνων φθείροντας.
And we ourselves are not coming against a city in this way incapable of defending itsef, but in all things having prepared for itself in the best way, so that it is also altogether necessary to expect them to go to battle, if not already having gone forth - for which we are not yet present - but when they see us laying waste in the land and destroying their people [they will go forth].
Section 7:
πᾶσι γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ὄμμασι καὶ ἐν τῷ παραυτίκα ὁρᾶν πάσχοντάς τι ἄηθες ὀργὴ προσπίπτει: καὶ οἱ λογισμῷ ἐλάχιστα χρώμενοι θυμῷ πλεῖστα ἐς ἔργον καθίστανται.
For in all eyes the sight of suffering falls upon some unexpected passion: and the least in reason, being eager in spirit, is appointed greatest for the deed.
Section 8:
Ἀθηναίους δὲ καὶ πλέον τι τῶν ἄλλων εἰκὸς τοῦτο δρᾶσαι, οἳ ἄρχειν τε τῶν ἄλλων ἀξιοῦσι καὶ ἐπιόντες τὴν τῶν πέλας δῃοῦν μᾶλλον ἢ τὴν αὑτῶν ὁρᾶν.
The Athenians are more likely than any other to do this, as they resolve to rule over all others and to ravage by assault those near by, rather than to see it [done to] them.
Section 9:
ὡς οὖν ἐπὶ τοσαύτην πόλιν στρατεύοντες καὶ μεγίστην δόξαν οἰσόμενοι τοῖς τε προγόνοις καὶ ἡμῖν αὐτοῖς ἐπ᾽ ἀμφότερα ἐκ τῶν ἀποβαινόντων, ἕπεσθ᾽ ὅπῃ ἄν τις ἡγῆται, κόσμον καὶ φυλακὴν περὶ παντὸς ποιούμενοι καὶ τὰ παραγγελλόμενα ὀξέως δεχόμενοι: κάλλιστον γὰρ τόδε καὶ ἀσφαλέστατον, πολλοὺς ὄντας ἑνὶ κόσμῳ χρωμένους φαίνεσθαι.’
So thus against so great a city taking the field, and bearing great expectation [on account of] our forefathers and of ourselves on both sides from the stepping-off, which according to the event, someone should lead, producing order and safeguard concerning everything and accepting the keen military orders: for this is most comely and most steadfast, for the many while in order to be seen attacking.
