Today's Passage
This passage describes a crucial moment in the Peloponnesian War's Thracian campaign (424-422 BCE).
Crawley Translation (1910)
In the days in which they were going backwards and forwards to these conferences, Scione, a town in Pallene, revolted from Athens, and went over to Brasidas. The Scionaeans say that they are Pallenians from Peloponnese, and that their first founders on their voyage from Troy were carried in to this spot by the storm which the Achaeans were caught in, and there settled. The Scionaeans had no sooner revolted than Brasidas crossed over by night to Scione, with a friendly galley ahead and himself in a small boat some way behind; his idea being that if he fell in with a vessel larger than the boat he would have the galley to defend him, while a ship that was a match for the galley would probably neglect the small vessel to attack the large one, and thus leave him time to escape. His passage effected, he called a meeting of the Scionaeans and spoke to the same effect as at Acanthus and Torone, adding that they merited the utmost commendation, in that, in spite of Pallene within the isthmus being cut off by the Athenian occupation of Potidæa and of their own practically insular position, they had of their own free will gone forward to meet their liberty instead of timorously waiting until they had been by force compelled to their own manifest good. This was a sign that they would valiantly undergo any trial, however great; and if he should order affairs as he intended, he should count them among the truest and sincerest friends of the Lacedaemonians, and would in every other way honour them.
The Scionaeans were elated by his language, and even those who had at first disapproved of what was being done catching the general confidence, they determined on a vigorous conduct of the war, and welcomed Brasidas with all possible honours, publicly crowning him with a crown of gold as the liberator of Hellas; while private persons crowded round him and decked him with garlands as though he had been an athlete. Meanwhile Brasidas left them a small garrison for the present and crossed back again, and not long afterwards sent over a larger force, intending with the help of the Scionaeans to attempt Mende and Potidæa before the Athenians should arrive; Scione, he felt, being too like an island for them not to relieve it. He had besides intelligence in the above towns about their betrayal.
Modern Translation
During the period when negotiations were ongoing, Scione—a city in Pallene—revolted from Athens and joined Brasidas. The Scioneans claim they are Pallenians originally from the Peloponnese, and that their founding ancestors, sailing from Troy, were driven to this location by the storm that struck the Achaeans, where they established their settlement. Immediately after their revolt, Brasidas crossed over to Scione under cover of night, with a friendly warship sailing ahead while he followed at a distance in a small boat. His strategy was that if he encountered a vessel larger than his boat, the warship would protect him, while any ship capable of engaging the warship would likely ignore his small craft to attack the larger vessel, thus allowing him to escape. After successfully reaching Scione, he convened an assembly of the citizens and delivered a speech similar to those at Acanthus and Torone, but added that they deserved the highest praise. Despite Pallene being cut off at the isthmus by the Athenian occupation of Potidaea, and despite their essentially island-like isolation, they had voluntarily chosen to embrace their freedom rather than fearfully waiting to be forced into what was clearly their own benefit. This demonstrated they would courageously face any challenge, no matter how daunting. If he could arrange matters according to his plans, he would consider them among the most loyal and genuine friends of the Lacedaemonians and would honor them in every way possible. The Scioneans were inspired by his words, and even those who had initially opposed the revolt were swept up in the general enthusiasm. They resolved to prosecute the war vigorously and received Brasidas with every possible honor, publicly crowning him with a golden crown as the liberator of Greece, while private citizens surrounded him, adorning him with garlands as if he were a victorious athlete. Brasidas left a small garrison there temporarily and returned across the strait. Soon after, he sent a larger force, planning to use Scionean support to attack Mende and Potidaea before Athenian reinforcements could arrive. He recognized that Scione's island-like position made it certain the Athenians would attempt to relieve it. Additionally, he had intelligence about potential betrayals in those cities.
Historical Context
This passage describes a crucial moment in the Peloponnesian War's Thracian campaign (424-422 BCE). Brasidas, the brilliant Spartan general, continues his successful northern expedition, accepting the revolt of Scione from the Athenian empire. The timing is significant—this occurs during peace negotiations between Athens and Sparta, making Scione's revolt legally problematic. Brasidas's daring night crossing demonstrates his tactical brilliance and personal courage. His speech to the Scioneans exemplifies his rhetorical skill in presenting Spartan intervention as liberation rather than conquest. The passage highlights the fragility of the Athenian empire, where subject cities eagerly defected when opportunity arose. Brasidas's reception as a 'liberator of Hellas' shows how effectively Sparta had co-opted the language of freedom against Athenian imperialism.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Pallene Peninsula
Pallene is the westernmost of Chalcidice's three peninsulas. Its strategic importance lay in controlling access to the region. With Potidaea blocking the isthmus, cities on Pallene were effectively isolated from land-based relief, making them vulnerable but also difficult for Athens to reinforce quickly by sea.
Learn more →Brasidas's Liberation Rhetoric
Brasidas consistently portrayed Spartan intervention as 'liberation' from Athenian tyranny. This propaganda was highly effective among Athens' subject allies, who resented tribute payments and political interference. The irony is that Sparta itself maintained a harsh hegemony over its own allies.
Learn more →Athletic Victory Imagery
The comparison of Brasidas to a victorious athlete reflects Greek cultural values. Athletic victors were crowned with wreaths and celebrated as heroes bringing glory to their cities. This imagery emphasizes how the Scioneans viewed Brasidas as a champion defeating the Athenian opponent.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.72)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of Brasidas's Thracian campaign, though with less detail about Scione specifically. He emphasizes Brasidas's personal charisma and the enthusiasm of cities revolting from Athens.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (6.1-2)
Plutarch describes the Athenian response to these revolts and the political pressure on Nicias to act decisively. He notes how Brasidas's successes undermined peace negotiations.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (2.2.3)
Though describing later events, Xenophon notes how the memory of Brasidas as 'liberator' influenced Spartan propaganda and policy toward Athens' subject allies throughout the war.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Brasidas's rhetoric of 'liberation' compare to modern justifications for military intervention? What makes such appeals effective?
- Why might the Scioneans have been so eager to revolt despite the obvious risks? What does this tell us about life under the Athenian empire?
- Analyze Brasidas's tactical approach to crossing to Scione. What does this reveal about ancient naval warfare and personal leadership?
- How does Thucydides portray the relationship between rhetoric and action in this passage? Is Brasidas sincere in his promises?