Today's Passage
This passage describes the aftermath of the failed Theban surprise attack on Plataea in 431 BCE, which marked the beginning of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
While such was the fate of the party in Plataea, the rest of the Thebans who were to have joined them with all their forces before daybreak, in case of anything miscarrying with the body that had entered, received the news of the affair on the road, and pressed forward to their succour. Now Plataea is nearly eight miles from Thebes, and their march delayed by the rain that had fallen in the night, for the river Asopus had risen and was not easy of passage; and so, having to march in the rain, and being hindered in crossing the river, they arrived too late, and found the whole party either slain or captive. When they learned what had happened, they at once formed a design against the Plataeans outside the city. As the attack had been made in time of peace, and was perfectly unexpected, there were of course men and stock in the fields; and the Thebans wished if possible to have some prisoners to exchange against their countrymen in the town, should any chance to have been taken alive. Such was their plan. But the Plataeans suspected their intention almost before it was formed, and becoming alarmed for their fellow citizens outside the town, sent a herald to the Thebans, reproaching them for their unscrupulous attempt to seize their city in time of peace, and warning them against any outrage on those outside. Should the warning be disregarded, they threatened to put to death the men they had in their hands, but added that, on the Thebans retiring from their territory, they would surrender the prisoners to their friends. This is the Theban account of the matter, and they say that they had an oath given them. The Plataeans, on the other hand, do not admit any promise of an immediate surrender, but make it contingent upon subsequent negotiation: the oath they deny altogether. Be this as it may, upon the Thebans retiring from their territory without committing any injury, the Plataeans hastily got in whatever they had in the country and immediately put the men to death. The prisoners were a hundred and eighty in number; Eurymachus, the person with whom the traitors had negotiated, being one.
Modern Translation
Meanwhile, as this tragedy unfolded in Plataea, the main Theban force—which had planned to arrive with their full strength before dawn to support the advance party if anything went wrong—received word of the disaster while still on the road and rushed to help. Plataea lies about eight miles from Thebes, and their march was severely hampered by rain that had fallen during the night. The river Asopus had swollen and proved difficult to cross. Marching through rain and struggling across the flooded river, they arrived too late, finding their entire advance force either dead or captured. Upon learning what had occurred, they immediately devised a plan targeting the Plataeans who were outside the city walls. Since the attack had come during peacetime and caught everyone off guard, there were naturally citizens and livestock scattered throughout the countryside. The Thebans hoped to seize some of these as hostages to exchange for any of their men who might still be alive in captivity. This was their strategy. However, the Plataeans quickly suspected these intentions and, fearing for their fellow citizens outside the walls, dispatched a herald to the Thebans. The herald condemned their treacherous attempt to seize the city during peacetime and warned them against harming anyone in the countryside. If they ignored this warning, the Plataeans threatened to execute their prisoners. They added, however, that if the Thebans withdrew from their territory, they would return the captives to their people. The Thebans claim they received a sworn oath to this effect. The Plataeans tell a different story: they deny making any promise of immediate surrender, insisting they only agreed to future negotiations, and they absolutely deny giving any oath. Whatever the truth, the Thebans withdrew from Plataean territory without causing damage. The Plataeans quickly brought in everyone and everything from the countryside, then immediately executed all their prisoners. There were one hundred and eighty captives in total, including Eurymachus, who had been the Thebans' contact with the traitors inside Plataea.
Historical Context
This passage describes the aftermath of the failed Theban surprise attack on Plataea in 431 BCE, which marked the beginning of the Peloponnesian War. After the initial Theban force was trapped and captured inside Plataea, the main Theban army arrived too late due to flooding. A tense negotiation followed regarding the fate of prisoners and civilians outside the city walls. The passage highlights the conflicting accounts between Thebans and Plataeans about whether promises were made regarding prisoner exchange. The Plataeans ultimately executed all 180 Theban prisoners, including Eurymachus, the ringleader. This incident escalated tensions and made reconciliation impossible, as the execution of prisoners violated Greek norms of warfare. The episode demonstrates how quickly a local conflict could spiral into broader war.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Warfare Ethics
The execution of prisoners violated traditional Greek customs of war, which typically allowed for ransom or exchange. This breach of convention shows how the surprise peacetime attack had already shattered normal diplomatic protocols, leading to a cycle of retaliation.
Learn more →The Sacred Truce
The Theban attack during peacetime violated the concept of sacred truces that governed Greek interstate relations. This violation justified, in Plataean eyes, their harsh treatment of prisoners, though such executions were still considered extreme.
Learn more →Plataea's Strategic Importance
Plataea's location on the border between Attica and Boeotia made it strategically vital. Its alliance with Athens since the Battle of Marathon (490 BCE) made it a natural target for Thebes, Athens' enemy and Sparta's ally.
Learn more →River Asopus
The Asopus river, flowing between Thebes and Plataea, played a crucial role in delaying the Theban reinforcements. Ancient armies often struggled with river crossings, especially during floods, which could determine the outcome of military operations.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Herodotus: Histories (Book 9.1-89)
Describes the Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) where Plataeans fought alongside Athenians against Persians, establishing the alliance that made Plataea a Theban target in 431 BCE.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (Chapter 30)
Provides context for the diplomatic tensions preceding the war and Pericles' strategy, explaining why Athens would be obligated to defend Plataea against Theban aggression.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 5.4.1-20)
Describes a similar incident where Thebans seized the Cadmea in Thebes during peacetime (382 BCE), showing a pattern of Theban surprise attacks that violated diplomatic norms.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How do the conflicting accounts between Thebans and Plataeans illustrate Thucydides' method of presenting multiple perspectives? What does this tell us about historical truth?
- Was the Plataean execution of prisoners justified given the Theban violation of peacetime? How do extreme circumstances affect ethical decision-making in war?
- How does the role of weather (rain and flooding) in this passage reflect the importance of chance in historical events?
- What does this incident reveal about the fragility of peace and how local conflicts can escalate into general war?