Today's Passage
This passage describes the pivotal Battle of Amphipolis (422 BCE), a crucial engagement during the Peace of Nicias period.
Crawley Translation (1910)
After this brief speech Brasidas himself prepared for the sally, and placed the rest with Clearidas at the Thracian gates to support him as had been agreed. Meanwhile he had been seen coming down from Cerdylium and then in the city, which is overlooked from the outside, sacrificing near the temple of Athene; in short, all his movements had been observed, and word was brought to Cleon, who had at the moment gone on to look about him, that the whole of the enemy’s force could be seen in the town, and that the feet of horses and men in great numbers were visible under the gates, as if a sally were intended. Upon hearing this he went up to look, and having done so, being unwilling to venture upon the decisive step of a battle before his reinforcements came up, and fancying that he would have time to retire, bid the retreat be sounded and sent orders to the men to effect it by moving on the left wing in the direction of Eion, which was indeed the only way practicable. This however not being quick enough for him, he joined the retreat in person and made the right wing wheel round, thus turning its unarmed side to the enemy. It was then that Brasidas, seeing the Athenian force in motion and his opportunity come, said to the men with him and the rest: “Those fellows will never stand before us, one can see that by the way their spears and heads are going. Troops which do as they do seldom stand a charge. Quick, someone, and open the gates I spoke of, and let us be out and at them with no fears for the result.” Accordingly issuing out by the palisade gate and by the first in the long wall then existing, he ran at the top of his speed along the straight road, where the trophy now stands as you go by the steepest part of the hill, and fell upon and routed the centre of the Athenians, panic-stricken by their own disorder and astounded at his audacity. At the same moment Clearidas in execution of his orders issued out from the Thracian gates to support him, and also attacked the enemy. The result was that the Athenians, suddenly and unexpectedly attacked on both sides, fell into confusion; and their left towards Eion, which had already got on some distance, at once broke and fled. Just as it was in full retreat and Brasidas was passing on to attack the right, he received a wound; but his fall was not perceived by the Athenians, as he was taken up by those near him and carried off the field. The Athenian right made a better stand, and though Cleon, who from the first had no thought of fighting, at once fled and was overtaken and slain by a Myrcinian targeteer, his infantry forming in close order upon the hill twice or thrice repulsed the attacks of Clearidas, and did not finally give way until they were surrounded and routed by the missiles of the Myrcinian and Chalcidian horse and the targeteers. Thus the Athenian army was all now in flight; and such as escaped being killed in the battle, or by the Chalcidian horse and the targeteers, dispersed among the hills, and with difficulty made their way to Eion. The men who had taken up and rescued Brasidas, brought him into the town with the breath still in him: he lived to hear of the victory of his troops, and not long after expired. The rest of the army returning with Clearidas from the pursuit stripped the dead and set up a trophy.
Modern Translation
After this brief address, Brasidas prepared himself for the assault while positioning the remaining forces under Clearidas at the Thracian gates to provide support according to their plan. However, his movements had been observed—first descending from Cerdylium, then within the city (which can be surveyed from outside), performing sacrifices at Athena's temple. In essence, all his activities were monitored, and intelligence reached Cleon, who had just departed on a reconnaissance mission. The report indicated that the enemy's entire force was visible within the city, with numerous horses' hooves and soldiers' feet discernible beneath the gates, suggesting an imminent sortie. Upon receiving this information, Cleon went to observe personally. Having assessed the situation, yet reluctant to commit to a decisive engagement before his reinforcements arrived, and believing he had sufficient time to withdraw, he ordered the trumpet to sound retreat. He commanded his forces to withdraw by advancing the left wing toward Eion—the only feasible route. Finding this maneuver too slow, he personally joined the withdrawal and ordered the right wing to wheel about, thereby exposing its unprotected flank to the enemy. At this moment, Brasidas, observing the Athenian forces in motion and recognizing his opportunity, declared to his companions and troops: "These men will never withstand our assault—their wavering spears and heads betray them. Forces displaying such behavior rarely endure a charge. Someone quickly open the designated gates, and let us attack them without hesitation about the outcome." Consequently, he emerged through the palisade gate and the first opening in the then-existing long wall, sprinting at maximum speed along the direct road where the memorial now stands at the hill's steepest section. He struck and scattered the Athenian center, which was already disorganized and stunned by his boldness. Simultaneously, Clearidas executed his orders, emerging from the Thracian gates to support the attack, also engaging the enemy. The consequence was that the Athenians, suddenly and unexpectedly assaulted from two directions, descended into chaos. Their left wing toward Eion, which had already advanced considerably, immediately broke ranks and fled. As it retreated in disorder and Brasidas advanced to attack the right wing, he sustained a wound. His collapse went unnoticed by the Athenians, as his nearby comrades retrieved him and removed him from the battlefield. The Athenian right wing mounted a more effective resistance. Although Cleon, who never intended to fight, immediately fled and was killed by a Myrcinian light-armed soldier, his infantry formed a tight formation on the hillside and repelled Clearidas's attacks two or three times. They only yielded when surrounded and overwhelmed by projectiles from the Myrcinian and Chalcidian cavalry and light troops. Thus the entire Athenian army fled in disarray. Those who survived the battle and escaped the Chalcidian cavalry and light troops scattered throughout the hills, struggling to reach Eion. The soldiers who had rescued Brasidas carried him into the city while he still breathed. He survived long enough to learn of his forces' victory before expiring shortly thereafter. The remaining army, returning with Clearidas from their pursuit, stripped the fallen and erected a victory monument.
Historical Context
This passage describes the pivotal Battle of Amphipolis (422 BCE), a crucial engagement during the Peace of Nicias period. The Spartan general Brasidas, commanding a mixed force of Peloponnesians and local allies, faced the Athenian general Cleon who was attempting to retake Amphipolis, a strategically vital city controlling access to Thracian resources and timber. Brasidas's brilliant tactical surprise attack exploited Cleon's hesitation and poor positioning, resulting in a complete Athenian rout. Both commanders died in this battle—Cleon while fleeing, Brasidas from wounds after achieving victory. This dual loss of the war's most aggressive leaders on both sides helped facilitate the Peace of Nicias in 421 BCE, temporarily halting hostilities in the Peloponnesian War.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Hoplite Warfare
The passage illustrates classic hoplite battle dynamics, including the importance of maintaining formation, the vulnerability of exposed flanks, and the psychological impact of sudden attacks. Brasidas's observation about the enemy's wavering spears reveals how experienced commanders could read troop morale.
Learn more →Amphipolis Strategic Importance
Amphipolis controlled the crossing of the Strymon River and access to Mount Pangaion's gold and silver mines, plus crucial ship-building timber. Its loss in 424 BCE was a major blow to Athens, making its recovery a priority that ultimately cost Cleon his life.
Learn more →Brasidas as Military Commander
Brasidas was renowned for his energy, diplomatic skill, and tactical innovation. His northern campaign demonstrated Sparta's ability to project power far from the Peloponnese and exploit Athenian imperial vulnerabilities through supporting local revolts.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Military Tactics
The battle showcases several tactical elements: the importance of high ground, the vulnerability of armies during retreat, the effectiveness of coordinated attacks from multiple directions, and the role of light troops and cavalry in pursuit.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12.74)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of the Battle of Amphipolis, though with less detail than Thucydides. He emphasizes the deaths of both generals and their impact on peace negotiations.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (Chapter 3)
Plutarch mentions how the deaths of Brasidas and Cleon, the most vehement opponents of peace, cleared the way for Nicias to negotiate the peace treaty that followed.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 1.1.11-12)
While not covering this specific battle, Xenophon describes similar tactical situations where rapid attacks on disorganized forces led to decisive victories in Greek warfare.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides's detailed tactical narrative reveal his own military experience and what aspects of generalship does he emphasize?
- What does this passage suggest about the role of individual leadership in ancient warfare, particularly comparing Brasidas's boldness with Cleon's hesitation?
- How might the outcome have differed if Cleon had committed to battle instead of attempting to retreat? What does this reveal about decision-making under pressure?
- In what ways does this battle exemplify the unpredictability of war that Thucydides emphasizes throughout his work?