Today's Passage
This passage presents Brasidas's pre-battle speech at Amphipolis in 422 BCE, one of the most significant engagements of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Peloponnesians, the character of the country from which we have come, one which has always owed its freedom to valour, and the fact that you are Dorians and the enemy you are about to fight Ionians, whom you are accustomed to beat, are things that do not need further comment. But the plan of attack that I propose to pursue, this it is as well to explain, in order that the fact of our adventuring with a part instead of with the whole of our forces may not damp your courage by the apparent disadvantage at which it places you. I imagine it is the poor opinion that he has of us, and the fact that he has no idea of any one coming out to engage him, that has made the enemy march up to the place and carelessly look about him as he is doing, without noticing us. But the most successful soldier will always be the man who most happily detects a blunder like this, and who carefully consulting his own means makes his attack not so much by open and regular approaches, as by seizing the opportunity of the moment; and these stratagems, which do the greatest service to our friends by most completely deceiving our enemies, have the most brilliant name in war. Therefore, while their careless confidence continues, and they are still thinking, as in my judgment they are now doing, more of retreat than of maintaining their position, while their spirit is slack and not high-strung with expectation, I with the men under my command will, if possible, take them by surprise and fall with a run upon their centre; and do you, Clearidas, afterwards, when you see me already upon them, and, as is likely, dealing terror among them, take with you the Amphipolitans, and the rest of the allies, and suddenly open the gates and dash at them, and hasten to engage as quickly as you can. That is our best chance of establishing a panic among them, as a fresh assailant has always more terrors for an enemy than the one he is immediately engaged with. Show yourself a brave man, as a Spartan should; and do you, allies, follow him like men, and remember that zeal, honour, and obedience mark the good soldier, and that this day will make you either free men and allies of Lacedaemon, or slaves of Athens; even if you escape without personal loss of liberty or life, your bondage will be on harsher terms than before, and you will also hinder the liberation of the rest of the Hellenes. No cowardice then on your part, seeing the greatness of the issues at stake, and I will show that what I preach to others I can practise myself.”
Modern Translation
Peloponnesians, the nature of our homeland—which has always preserved its independence through courage—and the fact that you are Dorians facing Ionians, whom you have consistently defeated, require no elaboration. However, I should explain my tactical plan, so that our decision to attack with only a portion of our forces rather than our entire army doesn't discourage you by creating an apparent disadvantage. I believe the enemy has marched here because he underestimates us and cannot imagine anyone challenging him in battle. This explains why he surveys the area so carelessly, paying us no attention. The most effective commander is always one who best identifies such errors and, after carefully assessing his resources, strikes not through conventional frontal assaults but by exploiting immediate opportunities. These tactical deceptions, which serve our allies best by thoroughly confounding our enemies, earn the highest distinction in warfare. Therefore, while they remain overconfident and preoccupied—as I judge they are—with thoughts of withdrawal rather than holding their ground, while their morale is low and their alertness dulled, I will lead my troops in a surprise assault, charging directly at their center. Then you, Clearidas, once you see me engaged and likely spreading panic through their ranks, must lead the Amphipolitans and remaining allies, suddenly throw open the gates, rush out against them, and engage as swiftly as possible. This strategy offers our best hope of creating widespread terror, since fresh attackers always frighten an enemy more than those already fighting them. Prove yourself worthy of Sparta's reputation; and you allies, follow courageously, remembering that enthusiasm, honor, and discipline define the true soldier. Today determines whether you remain free men allied with Sparta or become Athens' slaves. Even if you avoid death or personal enslavement, your subjugation will be harsher than ever, and you will obstruct the liberation of all Greece. Show no cowardice given these momentous stakes—I will demonstrate that I practice what I demand of others.
Historical Context
This passage presents Brasidas's pre-battle speech at Amphipolis in 422 BCE, one of the most significant engagements of the Peloponnesian War. Brasidas, Sparta's most innovative general, addresses his mixed force of Peloponnesians and local allies before attacking the Athenian army under Cleon. The battle would prove decisive for control of the strategically vital city of Amphipolis in Thrace, which commanded important trade routes and access to timber and precious metals. Both Brasidas and Cleon would die in this battle, removing two of the war's most aggressive leaders and paving the way for the Peace of Nicias. The speech exemplifies Brasidas's tactical brilliance and his ability to inspire troops through a combination of ethnic pride, strategic insight, and personal example.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Dorian vs. Ionian Identity
The Dorian-Ionian distinction was a fundamental ethnic division in ancient Greece. Spartans considered themselves Dorians, associated with military prowess and traditional values, while Athenians were Ionians, linked with naval power and intellectual pursuits. This ethnic rhetoric was commonly used to motivate troops.
Learn more →Battle of Amphipolis
This crucial battle (422 BCE) saw innovative tactics defeat conventional forces. Brasidas's surprise attack from the city gates caught Cleon's army in disorder during their withdrawal. Both commanders died, but Sparta retained Amphipolis, a major strategic victory.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Military Tactics
Brasidas advocates for opportunistic tactics over traditional hoplite warfare. His emphasis on surprise, psychological warfare, and exploiting enemy mistakes represents a departure from the conventional phalanx-based combat that dominated Greek warfare.
Learn more →Brasidas as Military Innovator
Brasidas revolutionized Spartan strategy through rapid movement, diplomatic skill, and unconventional tactics. His campaigns in Thrace demonstrated that Sparta could project power far from the Peloponnese and win allies through persuasion rather than force alone.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (Chapter 10)
Plutarch describes the aftermath of Amphipolis and how the deaths of both Brasidas and Cleon, the main advocates for war in their respective cities, created conditions for peace negotiations.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12, Chapter 74)
Provides an alternative account of the battle of Amphipolis, offering different details about the tactical movements and the deaths of the commanders.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 1, Chapter 1.32)
Though dealing with a later period, Xenophon's account of Spartan military leadership and tactical innovation shows the lasting influence of commanders like Brasidas on Spartan military doctrine.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Brasidas use ethnic identity (Dorian vs. Ionian) as a motivational tool, and what does this reveal about ancient Greek cultural divisions?
- What does Brasidas's emphasis on deception and opportunism over traditional tactics suggest about the evolution of Greek warfare during the Peloponnesian War?
- How does Brasidas balance confidence-building with realistic assessment of the tactical situation in his speech?
- What role does the promise of freedom versus slavery play in motivating allied troops, and how does this reflect the nature of alliance systems in ancient Greece?