Today's Passage
This passage presents a speech delivered to the Peloponnesian forces at the beginning of their first invasion of Attica in 431 BCE, marking the formal commencement of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Peloponnesians and allies, our fathers made many campaigns both within and without Peloponnese, and the elder men among us here are not without experience in war. Yet we have never set out with a larger force than the present; and if our numbers and efficiency are remarkable, so also is the power of the state against which we march. We ought not then to show ourselves inferior to our ancestors, or unequal to our own reputation. For the hopes and attention of all Hellas are bent upon the present effort, and its sympathy is with the enemy of the hated Athens. Therefore, numerous as the invading army may appear to be, and certain as some may think it that our adversary will not meet us in the field, this is no sort of justification for the least negligence upon the march; but the officers and men of each particular city should always be prepared for the advent of danger in their own quarters. The course of war cannot be foreseen, and its attacks are generally dictated by the impulse of the moment; and where overweening self-confidence has despised preparation, a wise apprehension often been able to make head against superior numbers. Not that confidence is out of place in an army of invasion, but in an enemy’s country it should also be accompanied by the precautions of apprehension: troops will by this combination be best inspired for dealing a blow, and best secured against receiving one. In the present instance, the city against which we are going, far from being so impotent for defence, is on the contrary most excellently equipped at all points; so that we have every reason to expect that they will take the field against us, and that if they have not set out already before we are there, they will certainly do so when they see us in their territory wasting and destroying their property. For men are always exasperated at suffering injuries to which they are not accustomed, and on seeing them inflicted before their very eyes; and where least inclined for reflection, rush with the greatest heat to action. The Athenians are the very people of all others to do this, as they aspire to rule the rest of the world, and are more in the habit of invading and ravaging their neighbours’ territory, than of seeing their own treated in the like fashion. Considering, therefore, the power of the state against which we are marching, and the greatness of the reputation which, according to the event, we shall win or lose for our ancestors and ourselves, remember as you follow where you may be led to regard discipline and vigilance as of the first importance, and to obey with alacrity the orders transmitted to you; as nothing contributes so much to the credit and safety of an army as the union of large bodies by a single discipline.”
Modern Translation
Fellow Peloponnesians and allies, our forefathers conducted numerous military campaigns both within the Peloponnese and beyond its borders, and the older men among us possess considerable wartime experience. Nevertheless, we have never before assembled a force of such magnitude; and while our numbers and military capability are truly impressive, equally formidable is the power of the state we are preparing to confront. We must therefore prove ourselves worthy successors to our ancestors and live up to our own distinguished reputation. The entirety of Greece watches our current undertaking with intense anticipation, sympathizing with those who oppose the despised Athenians. Yet despite our army's imposing size, and regardless of how certain some may feel that our enemies will refuse to engage us in battle, this provides absolutely no excuse for carelessness during our advance. Officers and soldiers from each allied city must remain constantly alert to potential dangers in their assigned sectors. War's trajectory defies prediction, and attacks typically arise from spontaneous decisions; where excessive self-assurance has neglected proper preparation, prudent caution has frequently prevailed against numerically superior forces. This doesn't mean confidence has no place in an invading army, but when operating in hostile territory, such confidence must be tempered with careful precaution. This combination will best enable troops both to strike effectively and to defend themselves. In our current situation, the city we're targeting, far from being defenseless, possesses exceptionally comprehensive fortifications and preparations. We must therefore fully expect them to march out against us, and if they haven't already mobilized before our arrival, they will undoubtedly do so upon witnessing us in their territory, devastating their lands and destroying their property. People invariably become enraged when subjected to unaccustomed injuries, especially when forced to witness such destruction firsthand; and those least given to deliberation respond with the most passionate action. The Athenians exemplify this tendency more than any other people, given their ambition to dominate the world and their greater familiarity with invading and plundering their neighbors' territories rather than experiencing such treatment themselves. Therefore, considering the might of the state we're confronting, and the magnitude of the reputation we stand to gain or lose for both our ancestors and ourselves, remember as you advance to prioritize discipline and vigilance above all else, and to execute orders promptly and precisely. Nothing contributes more effectively to an army's honor and security than the unification of large forces through shared discipline.
Historical Context
This passage presents a speech delivered to the Peloponnesian forces at the beginning of their first invasion of Attica in 431 BCE, marking the formal commencement of the Peloponnesian War. The speaker (likely Archidamus, the Spartan king) addresses the assembled army of Spartans and their allies as they prepare to march into Athenian territory. This invasion represented a dramatic escalation from the proxy conflicts that had preceded it. The speech emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the invading force while simultaneously warning against overconfidence, acknowledging Athens' formidable defensive capabilities and the Athenians' likely fierce response to seeing their homeland invaded. This moment captures the tension between Spartan military confidence and strategic caution that would characterize much of their approach to the war.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Spartan Military Discipline
The emphasis on discipline and obedience reflects core Spartan military values. The Spartan system prioritized collective action and strict adherence to command structure, which made their hoplite phalanx formations devastatingly effective. This speech reinforces these values for the allied forces.
Learn more →Athenian Empire
The reference to Athens aspiring 'to rule the rest of the world' reflects contemporary Greek perceptions of Athenian imperialism. By 431 BCE, Athens controlled a vast maritime empire through the Delian League, extracting tribute and imposing democratic governments on subject states.
Learn more →Greek Warfare Psychology
The speech's analysis of how property destruction provokes immediate retaliation reveals sophisticated understanding of warfare psychology. Greeks particularly valued their agricultural land, and crop destruction was a common strategy to force enemies into disadvantageous battles.
Learn more →Panhellenic Sentiment
The claim that 'all Hellas' watches and sympathizes with Athens' enemies illustrates how the conflict was perceived as more than a local dispute. Both sides sought to frame their cause as defending Greek freedom, though most Greeks likely remained neutral or shifted allegiances based on circumstances.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (33.1-4)
Describes Pericles' strategy of refusing battle and withdrawing the Athenian population within the city walls, directly addressing the Peloponnesian expectation mentioned in this speech that Athens would march out to defend their fields.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.1.1-2)
Though covering the war's later stages, Xenophon's opening demonstrates the continued relevance of discipline and preparation themes emphasized in this speech, showing how departures from these principles led to disasters.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.42)
Provides an alternative account of the war's opening, including the size and composition of the Peloponnesian force, offering specific numbers that complement Thucydides' more rhetorical treatment.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the speaker balance confidence with caution, and why might this balance be particularly important when commanding a coalition army?
- What does this speech reveal about Greek assumptions regarding the psychology of warfare and the relationship between property destruction and military response?
- How does the speaker's characterization of Athens as habituated to attacking rather than being attacked reflect broader themes about empire and vulnerability in Thucydides?
- In what ways does the emphasis on discipline and unity reflect specifically Spartan values, and how might these contrast with Athenian military culture?