Today's Passage
This passage describes the critical moment in 424 BCE when the Spartan general Brasidas threatened Amphipolis, Athens' most important colony in northern Greece.
Crawley Translation (1910)
The passage of Brasidas was a complete surprise to the people in the town; and the capture of many of those outside, and the flight of the rest within the wall, combined to produce great confusion among the citizens; especially as they did not trust one another. It is even said that if Brasidas, instead of stopping to pillage, had advanced straight against the town, he would probably have taken it. In fact, however, he established himself where he was and overran the country outside, and for the present remained inactive, vainly awaiting a demonstration on the part of his friends within. Meanwhile the party opposed to the traitors proved numerous enough to prevent the gates being immediately thrown open, and in concert with Eucles, the general, who had come from Athens to defend the place, sent to the other commander in Thrace, Thucydides, son of Olorus, the author of this history, who was at the isle of Thasos, a Parian colony, half a day’s sail from Amphipolis, to tell him to come to their relief. On receipt of this message he at once set sail with seven ships which he had with him, in order, if possible, to reach Amphipolis in time to prevent its capitulation, or in any case to save Eion.
Meanwhile Brasidas, afraid of succours arriving by sea from Thasos, and learning that Thucydides possessed the right of working the gold mines in that part of Thrace, and had thus great influence with the inhabitants of the continent, hastened to gain the town, if possible, before the people of Amphipolis should be encouraged by his arrival to hope that he could save them by getting together a force of allies from the sea and from Thrace, and so refuse to surrender. He accordingly offered moderate terms, proclaiming that any of the Amphipolitans and Athenians who chose, might continue to enjoy their property with full rights of citizenship; while those who did not wish to stay had five days to depart, taking their property with them.
Modern Translation
Brasidas's arrival took the townspeople completely by surprise. The capture of many citizens outside the walls and the panicked flight of others into the city created widespread chaos among the inhabitants, particularly because they suspected treachery within their own ranks. Indeed, it is reported that if Brasidas had pressed his attack immediately instead of pausing to plunder the countryside, he might well have captured the city. As it happened, however, he established his position and ravaged the surrounding territory, then waited futilely for his sympathizers inside to act. Meanwhile, those opposing the pro-Spartan faction proved strong enough to keep the gates closed. Working with Eucles, the Athenian general who had come to defend the city, they dispatched an urgent message to the other Athenian commander in Thrace—Thucydides, son of Olorus, who wrote this history. He was then on Thasos, a colony founded by Paros, about half a day's voyage from Amphipolis. The message urged him to come immediately to their aid. Upon receiving it, he instantly set sail with his seven available ships, hoping either to reach Amphipolis before it surrendered or, failing that, to secure Eion. Brasidas, however, feared that naval reinforcements from Thasos would arrive and knew that Thucydides controlled gold mining operations in that region of Thrace, giving him considerable influence among the local population. He therefore moved quickly to secure the city before the Amphipolitans, encouraged by the prospect of Thucydides assembling allied forces from both the sea and the Thracian mainland, might refuse to capitulate. Consequently, he offered generous terms: any Amphipolitan or Athenian who wished could remain with full citizenship rights and property intact, while those preferring to leave had five days to depart with their possessions.
Historical Context
This passage describes the critical moment in 424 BCE when the Spartan general Brasidas threatened Amphipolis, Athens' most important colony in northern Greece. The city controlled access to valuable timber and gold mines, making it strategically vital to the Athenian empire. Thucydides himself appears as a character—he commanded the Athenian fleet in the region and held mining concessions that gave him local influence. His failure to save Amphipolis would lead to his exile from Athens, during which he would write his history. The passage reveals the complex dynamics of Greek warfare: the importance of timing, the role of internal factions within cities, and how moderate surrender terms could be more effective than assault. Brasidas's success here would inspire other subject cities to revolt from Athens.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Amphipolis
Founded in 437 BCE, Amphipolis controlled the crossing of the Strymon River and access to Mount Pangaion's gold and silver mines. Its timber was essential for Athenian shipbuilding. The city's loss was a devastating blow to Athens' strategic position in the north Aegean.
Learn more →Brasidas
The most successful Spartan commander of the Archidamian War, Brasidas revolutionized Spartan strategy by campaigning far from home with minimal forces. His diplomatic skills and moderate policies won over many cities, demonstrating that Athens' empire could be undermined through liberation rather than conquest.
Learn more →Greek Mining
The Pangaion region's gold and silver mines were crucial to regional power. Control of mining rights brought both wealth and political influence, as Thucydides' own position demonstrates. These resources funded military operations and secured local alliances.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (Nicias 7.3-4)
Plutarch describes how the loss of Amphipolis led to Thucydides' exile and mentions the strategic importance of the city to Athens' war effort.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.68)
Provides an alternative account of Brasidas's campaign in Thrace, emphasizing his diplomatic skills and the speed of his movements.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.1.12)
Though writing about later events, Xenophon notes how the loss of Amphipolis continued to affect Athenian strategic thinking throughout the war.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides maintain objectivity when describing his own failure? What does this tell us about his historical method?
- Why might Brasidas's moderate terms have been more effective than a direct assault? What does this suggest about the nature of Athens' empire?
- How does the role of internal factions ('those who did not trust one another') reflect broader patterns in the Peloponnesian War?
- What does this passage reveal about the importance of timing and intelligence in ancient warfare?