Today's Passage
This passage describes Brasidas's surprise winter attack on Amphipolis in 424 BCE, one of the most dramatic episodes of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
The same winter Brasidas, with his allies in the Thracian places, marched against Amphipolis, the Athenian colony on the river Strymon. A settlement upon the spot on which the city now stands was before attempted by Aristagoras, the Milesian (when he fled from King Darius), who was however dislodged by the Edonians; and thirty-two years later by the Athenians, who sent thither ten thousand settlers of their own citizens, and whoever else chose to go. These were cut off at Drabescus by the Thracians. Twenty-nine years after, the Athenians returned (Hagnon, son of Nicias, being sent out as leader of the colony) and drove out the Edonians, and founded a town on the spot, formerly called Ennea Hodoi or Nine Ways. The base from which they started was Eion, their commercial seaport at the mouth of the river, not more than three miles from the present town, which Hagnon named Amphipolis, because the Strymon flows round it on two sides, and he built it so as to be conspicuous from the sea and land alike, running a long wall across from river to river, to complete the circumference.
Brasidas now marched against this town, starting from Arne in Chalcidice. Arriving about dusk at Aulon and Bromiscus, where the lake of Bolbe runs into the sea, he supped there, and went on during the night. The weather was stormy and it was snowing a little, which encouraged him to hurry on, in order, if possible, to take every one at Amphipolis by surprise, except the party who were to betray it. The plot was carried on by some natives of Argilus, an Andrian colony, residing in Amphipolis, where they had also other accomplices gained over by Perdiccas or the Chalcidians. But the most active in the matter were the inhabitants of Argilus itself, which is close by, who had always been suspected by the Athenians, and had had designs on the place. These men now saw their opportunity arrive with Brasidas, and having for some time been in correspondence with their countrymen in Amphipolis for the betrayal of the town, at once received him into Argilus, and revolted from the Athenians, and that same night took him on to the bridge over the river; where he found only a small guard to oppose him, the town being at some distance from the passage, and the walls not reaching down to it as at present. This guard he easily drove in, partly through there being treason in their ranks, partly from the stormy state of the weather and the suddenness of his attack, and so got across the bridge, and immediately became master of all the property outside; the Amphipolitans having houses all over the quarter.
Modern Translation
That same winter, Brasidas led his allied forces from the Thracian territories in a march against Amphipolis, the Athenian colony situated on the Strymon River. The site where the city now stands had witnessed previous colonization attempts. First, Aristagoras of Miletus tried to establish a settlement there during his flight from King Darius, but the Edonians expelled him. Thirty-two years later, the Athenians dispatched ten thousand colonists—both their own citizens and other volunteers—but these settlers met their end at Drabescus at the hands of the Thracians. After another twenty-nine years, the Athenians made a successful return under Hagnon, son of Nicias, who led the colonial expedition. They expelled the Edonians and established a city on the site previously known as Ennea Hodoi, meaning 'Nine Roads.' Their operational base was Eion, a commercial harbor at the river's mouth, located just three miles from the new settlement. Hagnon named it Amphipolis because the Strymon encircled it on two sides, and he constructed an extensive wall connecting the river banks to complete its defensive perimeter, making the city prominent from both land and sea.
Brasidas began his assault on this city from Arne in Chalcidice. He reached Aulon and Bromiscus around nightfall, where Lake Bolbe empties into the sea. After taking his evening meal there, he pressed on through the night. The weather proved harsh with storms and light snow, which actually spurred him to greater haste, hoping to catch everyone at Amphipolis unprepared—except for those conspirators who planned to betray the city. The conspiracy involved certain residents originally from Argilus, an Andrian colony, who lived in Amphipolis. They had recruited additional collaborators through the influence of Perdiccas and the Chalcidians. However, the most enthusiastic participants were the inhabitants of nearby Argilus itself, who had long been viewed with suspicion by the Athenians and had harbored ambitions regarding Amphipolis. Recognizing their moment had arrived with Brasidas's approach, and having maintained secret communications with their fellow Argilians in Amphipolis about betraying the city, they immediately welcomed him into Argilus, renounced their allegiance to Athens, and that very night guided him to the river bridge. There he encountered minimal resistance—the city lay some distance from the crossing, and its walls didn't extend to the bridge as they do now. Brasidas easily overwhelmed this guard, aided both by treachery within their ranks and by the storm's confusion combined with his surprise attack. Having crossed the bridge, he instantly gained control of all property in the surrounding area, as many Amphipolitans maintained residences throughout that district.
Historical Context
This passage describes Brasidas's surprise winter attack on Amphipolis in 424 BCE, one of the most dramatic episodes of the Peloponnesian War. Brasidas, Sparta's most capable and charismatic general, exploits internal dissension within Athens' empire to capture this vital colony. Amphipolis controlled access to timber, gold mines, and the route to the Black Sea grain supply. The city's loss would prove devastating to Athens—Thucydides himself was exiled for failing to arrive in time to save it. The passage reveals how Athens' imperial control depended on the loyalty of diverse populations, and how local grievances could be exploited by enemies. Brasidas's use of weather conditions, rapid movement, and fifth-column tactics demonstrates the sophisticated nature of ancient warfare beyond simple hoplite battles.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Amphipolis
A strategic Athenian colony founded in 437 BCE at a crossing of the Strymon River. Its location controlled access to Thracian timber (essential for shipbuilding), precious metals from Mount Pangaion, and trade routes to the Black Sea. The city's name means 'surrounded city' from its position within a bend of the river.
Learn more →Brasidas
Sparta's most innovative commander (d. 422 BCE), known for combining military skill with diplomacy. Unlike typical Spartan generals, he understood how to exploit political divisions and win over populations through persuasion rather than force alone. His northern campaign revolutionized Spartan strategy.
Learn more →Greek Colonization
The passage illustrates the precarious nature of Greek colonization. Cities were often founded through force, displacing local populations who might return. Colonial loyalty to the mother city was never guaranteed, as economic interests and local politics often took precedence over ethnic ties.
Learn more →Perdiccas II of Macedon
The Macedonian king (r. 448-413 BCE) mentioned as influencing the conspiracy. He constantly shifted alliances between Athens and Sparta to maintain Macedonian independence, exemplifying the complex diplomacy of smaller powers caught between the great powers of the Peloponnesian War.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (6.1-2)
Plutarch describes the aftermath of Amphipolis's loss, including Thucydides' exile and the Athenian reaction. He emphasizes how this defeat haunted Athenian politics and contributed to the rise of demagogues like Cleon.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.68)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of Brasidas's campaign, offering additional details about the strategic importance of Amphipolis and the broader Thracian campaign, though with less detail than Thucydides.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (2.2.5)
While not directly about this event, Xenophon later mentions Amphipolis in the context of Lysander's operations, showing the city's continued strategic importance and how it remained a point of contention throughout the war.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Brasidas's capture of Amphipolis demonstrate the vulnerabilities inherent in Athens' imperial system? Consider the role of local populations and their shifting loyalties.
- What does this passage reveal about the nature of ancient warfare beyond traditional hoplite battles? How do weather, timing, and intelligence networks factor into military success?
- Why might Thucydides provide such detailed background about previous colonization attempts? What does this suggest about Greek views of historical continuity and land rights?
- How does the conspiracy at Amphipolis illustrate the tension between ethnic identity (Greek vs. 'barbarian') and political loyalty in the ancient world?