Today's Passage
This passage describes the daring nighttime escape of Plataean soldiers from their besieged city in 428 BCE.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Such being the structure of the wall by which the Plataeans were blockaded, when their preparations were completed, they waited for a stormy night of wind and rain and without any moon, and then set out, guided by the authors of the enterprise. Crossing first the ditch that ran round the town, they next gained the wall of the enemy unperceived by the sentinels, who did not see them in the darkness, or hear them, as the wind drowned with its roar the noise of their approach; besides which they kept a good way off from each other, that they might not be betrayed by the clash of their weapons. They were also lightly equipped, and had only the left foot shod to preserve them from slipping in the mire. They came up to the battlements at one of the intermediate spaces where they knew them to be unguarded: those who carried the ladders went first and planted them; next twelve light-armed soldiers with only a dagger and a breastplate mounted, led by Ammias, son of Coroebus, who was the first on the wall; his followers getting up after him and going six to each of the towers. After these came another party of light troops armed with spears, whose shields, that they might advance the easier, were carried by men behind, who were to hand them to them when they found themselves in presence of the enemy. After a good many had mounted they were discovered by the sentinels in the towers, by the noise made by a tile which was knocked down by one of the Plataeans as he was laying hold of the battlements. The alarm was instantly given, and the troops rushed to the wall, not knowing the nature of the danger, owing to the dark night and stormy weather; the Plataeans in the town having also chosen that moment to make a sortie against the wall of the Peloponnesians upon the side opposite to that on which their men were getting over, in order to divert the attention of the besiegers. Accordingly they remained distracted at their several posts, without any venturing to stir to give help from his own station, and at a loss to guess what was going on. Meanwhile the three hundred set aside for service on emergencies went outside the wall in the direction of the alarm. Fire-signals of an attack were also raised towards Thebes; but the Plataeans in the town at once displayed a number of others, prepared beforehand for this very purpose, in order to render the enemy’s signals unintelligible, and to prevent his friends getting a true idea of what was passing and coming to his aid before their comrades who had gone out should have made good their escape and be in safety.
Modern Translation
When the Plataeans had completed their preparations for escaping the blockade wall, they waited for the perfect conditions: a stormy night with driving wind and rain, and no moon. Then they set out, led by those who had devised the plan. First they crossed the ditch surrounding their town, then approached the enemy wall undetected by the guards, who couldn't see them in the darkness or hear them over the howling wind. The escapees maintained distance between each other to prevent their weapons from clanging together. They traveled light, wearing only a shoe on their left foot to avoid slipping in the mud. They reached the fortifications at a section between towers where they knew no guards were posted. The ladder-bearers went first, setting them in place. Then twelve lightly-armed soldiers carrying only daggers and breastplates climbed up, led by Ammeas, son of Coroebus, who was first over the wall. His men followed, distributing themselves six to each tower. Next came more light infantry armed with spears, while others behind carried their shields to hand over once they encountered the enemy. After many had scaled the wall, the guards in the towers discovered them when one Plataean accidentally knocked down a roof tile while grabbing the battlements. The alarm rang out immediately, and troops rushed to defend the wall, confused about the nature of the threat due to the darkness and storm. At that same moment, the Plataeans remaining in the town launched a diversionary assault on the opposite side of the Peloponnesian siege wall to distract the besiegers. The enemy remained scattered at their posts, none daring to leave their position to help elsewhere, unable to comprehend what was happening. Meanwhile, the three hundred troops designated for emergencies moved outside the wall toward the commotion. Fire signals announcing an attack were raised toward Thebes, but the Plataeans in town immediately lit numerous decoy fires they had prepared for this purpose, making the enemy's signals incomprehensible and preventing Theban reinforcements from understanding the situation and arriving before the escapees could reach safety.
Historical Context
This passage describes the daring nighttime escape of Plataean soldiers from their besieged city in 428 BCE. Plataea, Athens' oldest ally, had been under siege by Peloponnesian forces since 429 BCE. With supplies dwindling and no hope of Athenian relief, a group of Plataeans executed this carefully planned breakout. The escape involved precise timing, diversionary tactics, and exploitation of weather conditions. While not all Plataeans participated (many remained behind), this escape attempt represents one of the most detailed accounts of ancient siege warfare and special operations. The successful escapees would eventually reach Athens, while those who remained in Plataea would later surrender and be executed, marking the destruction of this historically significant city that had been the site of the famous battle against Persia in 479 BCE.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Ancient Siege Warfare
This passage provides exceptional detail about siege fortifications and counter-siege tactics. The blockade wall (circumvallation) with its towers and ditches represents standard Greek siege practice, while the Plataean response shows sophisticated understanding of infiltration tactics, including noise discipline, equipment selection, and coordinated diversions.
Learn more →Plataea's Historical Significance
Plataea held special status as Athens' oldest ally, dating to before the Persian Wars. The city's destruction in 427 BCE was particularly symbolic, as it had been the site of the final Greek victory over Persia in 479 BCE. This escape attempt represents the last hope for a city that embodied Greek unity against foreign invasion.
Learn more →Fire Signals in Ancient Warfare
The use of fire signals (phryktoria) for long-distance communication was common in ancient Greece. This passage shows both their importance and vulnerability to deception. The Plataean counter-signals demonstrate sophisticated understanding of information warfare, preventing Thebes from sending timely reinforcements.
Learn more →Thucydidean Narrative Technique
This passage exemplifies Thucydides' precise, almost cinematic narrative style. His attention to tactical details, weather conditions, and simultaneous actions creates dramatic tension while maintaining historical accuracy. This reflects his stated goal of creating a work useful for understanding similar future events.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Demosthenes: On the Crown (Section 301)
Demosthenes mentions the Plataean escape as an example of justified desperation in warfare, using it to defend Athenian policy decisions. He emphasizes the heroism of those who risked everything for freedom.
Read passage →Pausanias: Description of Greece (Book 9.2.5-7)
Pausanias provides a later account of Plataea's fate, mentioning the escape and subsequent destruction. He adds religious details about omens and divine displeasure, contrasting with Thucydides' secular approach.
Read passage →Herodotus: Histories (Book 9.51-52)
Though describing the earlier Battle of Plataea (479 BCE), Herodotus details the city's topography and fortifications, providing context for understanding the siege works and escape routes described by Thucydides.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides' detailed tactical description serve his larger historical purposes? What does this tell us about his intended audience?
- Compare the moral implications of the Plataean deception (false fire signals) with modern concepts of legitimate ruses of war. Are there ethical limits to military deception?
- What does this escape attempt reveal about the relationship between technology, weather, and human agency in ancient warfare?
- How does the coordination between the escapees and those remaining in the city demonstrate the social cohesion necessary for survival under siege?