Today's Passage
This passage occurs during Brasidas's campaign in northern Greece in 423 BCE.
Crawley Translation (1910)
While they were thus disputing, the news arrived that the Illyrians had actually betrayed Perdiccas and had joined Arrhabaeus; and the fear inspired by their warlike character made both parties now think it best to retreat. However, owing to the dispute, nothing had been settled as to when they should start; and night coming on, the Macedonians and the barbarian crowd took fright in a moment in one of those mysterious panics to which great armies are liable; and persuaded that an army many times more numerous than that which had really arrived was advancing and all but upon them, suddenly broke and fled in the direction of home, and thus compelled Perdiccas, who at first did not perceive what had occurred, to depart without seeing Brasidas, the two armies being encamped at a considerable distance from each other. At daybreak Brasidas, perceiving that the Macedonians had gone on, and that the Illyrians and Arrhabaeus were on the point of attacking him, formed his heavy infantry into a square, with the light troops in the centre, and himself also prepared to retreat. Posting his youngest soldiers to dash out wherever the enemy should attack them, he himself with three hundred picked men in the rear intended to face about during the retreat and beat off the most forward of their assailants, Meanwhile, before the enemy approached, he sought to sustain the courage of his soldiers with the following hasty exhortation:
Modern Translation
As they were engaged in this dispute, news came that the Illyrians had indeed betrayed Perdiccas and joined forces with Arrhabaeus. The fearsome military reputation of the Illyrians now convinced both sides that withdrawal was their best option. Yet because of their disagreement, they had reached no decision about when to begin their retreat. When darkness fell, the Macedonians and their barbarian allies were suddenly seized by one of those inexplicable mass panics that sometimes afflict large armies. Convinced that a force many times larger than the actual Illyrian army was bearing down upon them and virtually at their gates, they abruptly turned and fled toward their homeland. This forced Perdiccas to leave without meeting Brasidas, as he initially had no idea what was happening—the two camps being positioned far apart from each other. At dawn, Brasidas discovered that the Macedonians had departed and that the forces of Illyrians and Arrhabaeus were preparing to attack. He arranged his heavy infantry in a hollow square formation with light-armed troops at the center and made ready to withdraw. He stationed his youngest soldiers to charge out against any enemy assault, while he himself took command of three hundred elite warriors in the rear guard, intending to turn and repel the enemy's most aggressive pursuers during the retreat. Before the enemy closed in, he attempted to bolster his men's morale with this brief speech:
Historical Context
This passage occurs during Brasidas's campaign in northern Greece in 423 BCE. The Spartan general had allied with the Macedonian king Perdiccas II to campaign against Arrhabaeus, ruler of Lyncestis. However, the alliance was fragile due to conflicting interests—Brasidas wanted to secure Chalcidice for Sparta, while Perdiccas sought to subjugate his local rival. The sudden defection of the Illyrians to Arrhabaeus's side creates a crisis. The passage illustrates the volatility of alliances in the periphery of the Greek world and showcases Brasidas's tactical brilliance in organizing an orderly retreat under pressure. This episode demonstrates how quickly military situations could deteriorate and how psychological factors like panic could determine outcomes as much as actual combat.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Illyrians in Ancient Warfare
The Illyrians were tribal peoples inhabiting the western Balkans, known for their fierce warriors and mercenary service. Their military reputation made them valuable but unreliable allies. Their switching sides here reflects the fluid nature of barbarian alliances with Greek and Macedonian powers.
Learn more →Macedonian Military Organization
Under Perdiccas II, the Macedonian army was still developing the sophistication it would achieve under Philip II. This passage shows its vulnerability to panic and lack of discipline compared to trained Greek hoplites, highlighting the military reforms still needed.
Learn more →The Hollow Square Formation
Brasidas's use of the hollow square with light troops in the center was a defensive formation allowing armies to retreat while maintaining protection on all sides. This tactical innovation shows Greek military adaptability and Brasidas's skill as a commander.
Learn more →Mass Panic in Ancient Armies
Thucydides's observation about 'mysterious panics' affecting large armies reflects ancient understanding of crowd psychology. Night panics were particularly common, as darkness amplified fears and prevented accurate assessment of threats, leading to cascading terror through the ranks.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Xenophon: Anabasis (Book 1, Chapter 8)
Xenophon describes similar night panics among the Ten Thousand, showing how darkness and uncertainty could trigger mass flight even in disciplined Greek forces.
Read passage →Polybius: Histories (Book 3, Chapter 43)
Polybius analyzes panic in Hannibal's army, providing theoretical framework for understanding mass military panics that complements Thucydides's observation.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12, Chapter 68)
Diodorus provides an alternative account of Brasidas's campaigns in the north, offering different perspective on his tactical abilities and the volatile alliances.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides's description of army panic reflect his understanding of human psychology versus divine intervention?
- What does this passage reveal about the challenges of coalition warfare in the ancient world?
- How does Brasidas's response to crisis compare with other military leaders in Thucydides?
- What role does communication (or its failure) play in this military disaster?