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Often appears with: conquest, plunder, and captives · strategy and the aims of war · diplomacy and embassies · battle and tactics · naval warfare and sea power · supply, logistics, and encampment · siege and fortification · military discipline and training · civil war and rebellion · counsel and advisers to rulers · forms of government · treaties, truces, and peacemaking
Usually: narrative (524) · detachment (359) · argument (122) · crisis of belief (90) · curiosity (82) · the test or trial (73) · sudden reversal of fortune (72) · indignation (64) · ambition and its cost (56) · exhortation (49)
“Youth is the seed time of good habits, as well in nations as in individuals.” Thomas Paine, Common Sense · precept
“He answer'd me that it was not one of their established principles, but that, at the time of their obtaining that act, it was thought to be a principle with many of their people.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · insight
“My goddess mother, whose indulgent care / Foresaw the dangers of the growing war, / This omen gave, when bright Vulcanian arms, / Fated from force of steel by Stygian charms, / Suspended, shone on high:” Virgil, The Aeneid · insight
“Then turns his eyes towards the Orient, Calls upon God with heartiest intent:” Anonymous (Old French epic), The Song of Roland · observation
“Wheresoever the Roman conquers, he inhabits,” is a very just observation of Seneca, confirmed by history and experience.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · precept
“Tax laws,” says Hamilton in the “Federalist” (No. 12), “have in vain been multiplied; new methods to enforce the collection have in vain been tried; the public expectation has been uniformly disappointed and the treasuries of the States have remained empty. The popular system of administration inherent in the nature of popular government... has hitherto defeated every experiment for extensive collections.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · vivid
“Those who know that men usually cling more to their habits than to their life will doubtless admire this great though obscure sacrifice which was made by a whole people.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · observation
“One glance at the rastro tells these people a whole history.” Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle · observation
“When Siegfried wore the Cloak of Darkness he had strength enow: the force of full twelve men beside his own. With cunning arts he won the royal maid. This cloak was fashioned so, that whatsoever any wrought within it, none saw him.” Unknown (Middle High German epic tradition), The Nibelungenlied · vivid
“Now earn ye mickle goods, in that ye do my pleasure full willingly and give the message which I send to my native land.” Unknown (Middle High German epic tradition), The Nibelungenlied · precept
“This method of raising troops is not more unfriendly to economy and vigor than it is to an equal distribution of the burden.” Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James Madison, The Federalist Papers · insight
“War, like most other things, is a science to be acquired and perfected by diligence, by perseverance, by time, and by practice.” Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James Madison, The Federalist Papers · insight
Sura IV culminates with orders for precaution and military mobilization, contrasts believers’ fight for God with unbelievers’ fight for Satan, and ends with a call to defend the oppressed city.
known to you, and to guide you into the ways of those who have been before you, and to turn Him unto you in mercy. And God is Knowing, Wise! God desireth thus to turn him unto you: but they who follow their own lusts, desire that with great swerving should ye swerve! God desireth to make your burden light: for man hath been created weak. O believers! devour not each other's substance in mutual frivolities;8 unless …
Continuing the Qur’anic “immunity” themes, the passage legislates restrictions on polytheists visiting temples, ranks believers who fled and fought, sets priorities over family loyalty, and narrates battles like Hunayn and Tabuk-like excuses, stressing trust in God.
An IMMUNITY from God and His Apostle to those with whom ye are in league, among the Polytheist Arabs! (those who join gods with God). Go ye, therefore, at large in the land four months: but know that God ye shall not weaken;2 and that those who believe not, God will put to shame- And a proclamation on the part of God and His Apostle to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that God is free from any engag…
It continues Quranic exhortations: do not seek forgiveness for polytheists, describes God’s turning to the Prophet, refugees, helpers, and three left-behind penitents, then calls believers to fear God and fight neighbors’ infidels.
prostrate themselves, who enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil, and keep to the bounds42 of God . . .43 Wherefore bear these good tidings to the faithful. It is not for the prophet or the faithful to pray for the forgiveness of those, even though they be of kin, who associate other beings with God, after it hath been made clear to them that they are to be the inmates of Hell. For neither did Abraham ask forg…
Around Feb. 1–2, 1659/60 Pepys depicts soldiers’ mutiny over pay as Monk prepares to move in; crowds in the Strand and horse-and-foot fighting occurs, and Pepys hides and changes his clothes while money shortages spark further unrest.
got, to be got against to-morrow for them, and all the rest of the soldiers in town, who in all places made a mutiny this day, and do agree together. 2nd. To my office, where I found all the officers of the regiments in town, waiting to receive money that their soldiers might go out of town, and what was in the Exchequer they had. Harper, Luellin, and I went to the Temple to Mr. Calthrop's chamber, and from thence …
Pepys describes early letters to the King, orders from the House of Lords about transporting commissioners, naval movements toward Flushing, and preparation changes such as removing state arms from flags.
King. And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King's declaration, and my name at the bottom of it. 9th. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carrie…
In October 1661 Pepys discusses ambassador complaints after the Spanish-French incident, forecasts Parliament trouble over offices and money, meets news about Lisbon/Portugall, and advises preparations for the Queen’s provision and Portsmouth.
the Navy, out of order; and yet I do not see that the King takes care to bring in any money, but thinks of new designs to lay out money. OCTOBER 4, 1661. By coach to White Hall with Sir W. Pen. So to Mr. Montagu, where his man, Mons. Eschar, makes a great complaint against the English, that they did help the Spaniards against the French the other day; and that their Embassador do demand justice of our King, and th…
Pepys travels and watches public events from London to Portsmouth: dispatching ships to Portugal, naval inspections, court changes and queen’s arrivals, performances at the playhouse, and news about the Queen’s landing and the fleet’s departure timing.
and thence, after being on ship-board, to Woolwich, and there eat something. The Sir Williams being unwilling to eat flesh, Captn. Cock and I had a breast of veale roasted. 18th. Having agreed with Sir Wm. Pen to meet him at the Opera, and finding by my walking in the streets, which were every where full of brick-bates and tyles flung down by the extraordinary winde the last night (such as hath not been in memory b…
Pepys reports court and naval news: Prince Rupert and the fleet position, O’Neale’s death, the launching at Woolwich, Dutch raids and rumors of De Ruyter, and debate and preparation for war.
nobly furnished; and there I saw her and the Duke of York and Duchesse. The Duke espied me, and come to me, and talked with me a very great while. 24th. Into the galleries at White Hall to talk with my Lord Sandwich; among other things, about the Prince's writing up to tell us of the danger he and his fleet lie in at Portsmouth, of receiving affronts from the Dutch; which, my Lord said, he would never have done, ha…
At Whitehall Pepys describes disputes about appointments, then news of England’s defeat at Guinea; he hears charges of cowardice, sees the comet again, and records preparations and fear as the Dutch war escalates.
Gazette of the Dutch's boasting of fighting, and having beaten the English: in confidence whereof, (it coming to Bourdeaux,) all the fleet comes out, and so falls into our hands. 19th. With Sir J. Minnes to White Hall, and there we waited on the Duke. And among other things Mr. Coventry took occasion to vindicate himself before the Duke and us, being ill there, about the choosing of Taylor for Harwich. [Silas Tay…
The passage continues Pepys’s diary around February 21 to February 27, mentioning court gossip about Castlemaine’s return from France, Dutch news at the Exchange, and a Council Committee session where pressing men is discussed.
the selling of that towne. And very noble I believe it will be. Near that is my Lord Barkeley beginning another one side, and Sir J. Denham on the other. 21st. My Lady Sandwich tells me how my Lord Castlemaine is coming over from France, and is believed will soon be made friends with his Lady again. What mad freaks the Mayds of Honour at Court have: that Mrs. Jenings, one of the Dutchesse's maids, the other day …
In early May 1665 Pepys travels by water to Greenwich and Deptford with scientists, observes experiments on coach springs, hears of the sudden death of Chief Justice Hide, visits Evelyn’s garden, and continues Navy preparations and trials of deserters and pressmen.
20th. This night I am told the first play is played in White Hall noon-hall, which is now turned to a house of playing. 23rd. To White Hall chapel, and heard the famous young Stillingfleete, [Edward Stillingfleet, a most learned Divine, consecrated Bishop of Worcester, 1689, Ob. 1699.] whom I knew at Cambridge, and he is now newly admitted one of the King's chaplains. And was presented, they say, to my Lord Treas…
Pepys closes the first two-year run of the diary, then continues in early July with plague news, arranging fleet command structure under Sandwich and others, secret financial trouble involving Alderman Backewell, and ongoing restrictions and house shut-ins.
is mightily liked of by the King and the Duke of York. Sir G. Lawson was buried late last night at St. Dunstan's by us, without any company at all. 4th. I hear this day the Duke and Prince Rupert are both come back from sea, and neither of them go back again. Mr. Coventry tells me how matters are ordered in the fleet: my Lord Sandwich goes Admiral; under him Sir G. Ascue, and Sir T. Teddiman: Vice Admiral, Sir W…
As news arrives that the Duke of Albemarle’s fleet has sighted the Dutch, Pepys orders 200 soldiers and resources to be sent, hears guns from Greenwich, and watches the King and Duke follow events toward the Gunfleet battle area.
French, to hinder their coming to join with the Dutch. My Lord Duke of Albemarle lies in the Downes with the rest, and intends presently to sail to the Gunfleete. June 2, 1666. Up, and to the office, where certain news is brought us of a letter come to the King this morning from the Duke of Albemarle, dated yesterday at eleven o'clock, as they were sailing to the Gunfleete, that they were in sight of the Dutch flee…
From the 25th to the 30th Pepys hears the Dutch are out, explores Hackney gardens and sees oranges, records gun failures for the Loyal London, and describes the press-gang crisis and forced impressment.
disowne but that the dividing of the fleet upon the presumptions that were then had (which, I suppose, was the French fleet being come this way,) was a good resolution. 25th. News from Sir W. Coventry that the Dutch are certainly come out. Mrs. Pen carried us to two gardens at Hackny, (which I every day grow more and more in love with,) Mr. Drake's one, where the garden is good, and house and the prospect admirabl…
Pepys watches political and military developments: he discusses Treasury leadership, his improved finances, then records news that peace with Spain for trade is settled and men are to be furnished for Flanders amid fears of France and Dutch naval power.
only as a traveller, not to engage on either side, but only to see the campagne, which will be becoming him much more: than to live as he now do. 3rd. Met Mr. Mills, our parson, whom I went back with to bring him to Sir W. Coventry to give him the form of a qualification for the Duke of York to sign to, to enable him to have two livings; which was a service I did, but much against my will, for a lazy, fat priest. …
On 8th, Pepys reports Dutch ships approaching Harwich, gunfire heard at Bednall-greene, and the King sending the Earl of Oxford to raise forces while Western barges prepare a bridge for possible horse-crossing.
under obligations of recommending themselves to the King and the world by their finding and mending of faults, and are most of them not the best friends to my Lord.) 8th. Up, and to the office, where all the news this morning is that the Dutch are come with a fleet of eighty sail to Harwich, and that guns were heard plain by Sir W. Rider's people at Bednall-greene all yesterday even. The news is confirmed that the…
Pepys attends a Navy meeting at Essex House on repairing ships, advises expecting forty ships by May with money, notes Parliament being prorogued rather than meeting, and finally admires prints brought from France.
the best of its kind and the fullest of honour and content to me that ever I had in my life; and I shall not easily have so good again. 24th (Lord's day). An order brought me in bed, for the principal officers to attend the King at my Lord Keeper's this afternoon, it being resolved late the last night; and by the warrant I find my Lord Keeper did not then know the cause of it, the messenger being ordered, to call u…
With French forces taking St. Domingo, Pepys attends the Duke of York mustering men in Hyde Park; he hears news of Harry Killigrew being attacked, attends court with the Queen, and the Duke of York agrees to Pepys’s petition for absence and a quiet trip to observe the navy in Holland.
the French taking St. Domingo, in Spaniola, from the Spaniards; which troubles us, that they should have got it, and have the honour of taking it, when we could not. 19th. With my coach to St. James's; and there finding the Duke of York gone to muster his men in Hyde Park, I alone with my boy thither, and there saw more, walking out of my coach as other gentlemen did, of a soldier's trade than ever I did in my life…
After hearing Corinth and deciding against abandoning Corcyra, Athens holds two assemblies, forms a defensive alliance with Corcyra, sends ten ships, and describes the build-up of Corinth’s 150-ship fleet toward Corcyra.
Such were the words of the Corinthians. When the Athenians had heard both out, two assemblies were held. In the first there was a manifest disposition to listen to the representations of Corinth; in the second, public feeling had changed and an alliance with Corcyra was decided on, with certain reservations. It was to be a defensive, not an offensive alliance. It did not involve a breach of the treaty with Peloponne…
Archidamus proposes seeking more allies, developing home resources, delaying escalation so Athenian land serves as a hostage, and warning that coalition war for sectional interests is hard to settle honorably.
leave it as a legacy to our children; so improbable is it that the Athenian spirit will be the slave of their land, or Athenian experience be cowed by war. “Not that I would bid you be so unfeeling as to suffer them to injure your allies, and to refrain from unmasking their intrigues; but I do bid you not to take up arms at once, but to send and remonstrate with them in a tone not too suggestive of war, nor again to…
After a five-year truce, Athens resumes expeditions: Cimon campaigns in Cyprus, later Athens fights in Boeotia and then Euboea under Pericles, while Megara and Samian revolt politics lead to further Athenian action at Samos.
who engaged them, they immediately took with them the Achaeans and, sailing across, marched against and laid siege to Oeniadae in Acarnania. Failing however to take it, they returned home. Three years afterwards a truce was made between the Peloponnesians and Athenians for five years. Released from Hellenic war, the Athenians made an expedition to Cyprus with two hundred vessels of their own and their allies, under …
Following Plataea, both sides prepare for war: Lacedaemon seeks Persian support and mobilizes allies, while Athens reviews its confederacy; Thucydides lists allied forces and notes omens like an earthquake at Delos.
marched to Plataea and brought in provisions, and left a garrison in the place, also taking away the women and children and such of the men as were least efficient. After the affair at Plataea, the treaty had been broken by an overt act, and Athens at once prepared for war, as did also Lacedaemon and her allies. They resolved to send embassies to the King and to such other of the barbarian powers as either party cou…
After naval successes around Sollium, Astacus, and Cephallenia, Athenians invade the Megarid with a massive combined force including citizens and resident aliens, ravage territory, and continue repeated annual incursions until later milestones like Nisaea.
and Phormio in an expedition against the Chalcidians. Thus Sitalces, son of Teres, King of the Thracians, and Perdiccas, son of Alexander, King of the Macedonians, became allies of Athens. Meanwhile the Athenians in the hundred vessels were still cruising round Peloponnese. After taking Sollium, a town belonging to Corinth, and presenting the city and territory to the Acarnanians of Palaira, they stormed Astacus, ex…
In the summer after a battle in Acarnania, the Ambraciots and Chaonians persuade the Spartans to send a fleet and a thousand heavy infantry under Cnemus toward Leucas and Acarnania, aiming at taking Naupactus and other islands.
army; four hundred and thirty men and all the generals having fallen. The Chalcidians and Bottiaeans set up a trophy, took up their dead, and dispersed to their several cities. The same summer, not long after this, the Ambraciots and Chaonians, being desirous of reducing the whole of Acarnania and detaching it from Athens, persuaded the Lacedaemonians to equip a fleet from their confederacy and send a thousand heavy…
In the next summer Archidamus invades Attica, and immediately Lesbos revolts except Methymna; Athenians worry after embassies report Mitylenian preparations, then attempt a surprise seizure that fails.
Fourth and Fifth Years of the War—Revolt of Mitylene The next summer, just as the corn was getting ripe, the Peloponnesians and their allies invaded Attica under the command of Archidamus, son of Zeuxidamus, king of the Lacedaemonians, and sat down and ravaged the land; the Athenian horse as usual attacking them, wherever it was practicable, and preventing the mass of the light troops from advancing from their camp …
Sparta and allies agree to aid the Mytilenian revolt and prepare an invasion of Attica via hauling ships from Corinth, but other confederates arrive late due to harvesting and fatigue.
the zeal which they displayed was not imitated by the rest of the confederates, who came in but slowly, being engaged in harvesting their corn and sick of making expeditions. Meanwhile the Athenians, aware that the preparations of the enemy were due to his conviction of their weakness, and wishing to show him that he was mistaken, and that they were able, without moving the Lesbian fleet, to repel with ease that wit…
Demosthenes consents to a Messenians’ plan to conquer Aetolian tribes, sails from Leucas to Sollium and Sollium region, establishes a base at Oeneon in Locris, and starts an inland raid.
the largest tribe in Aetolia, and speak, as is said, a language exceedingly difficult to understand, and eat their flesh raw. These once subdued, the rest would easily come in. To this plan Demosthenes consented, not only to please the Messenians, but also in the belief that by adding the Aetolians to his other continental allies he would be able, without aid from home, to march against the Boeotians by way of Ozoli…
Nicias chooses Demosthenes as colleague for the Pylos operation; Demosthenes applies lessons from wooded island terrain, sends for allied troops, gains confidence after accidental burning reveals enemy numbers, and proposes surrender by herald after arriving.
the reflection that they must gain in either circumstance; either they would be rid of Cleon, which they rather hoped, or if disappointed in this expectation, would reduce the Lacedaemonians. After he had settled everything in the assembly, and the Athenians had voted him the command of the expedition, he chose as his colleague Demosthenes, one of the generals at Pylos, and pushed forward the preparations for his vo…
Brasidas marches through Thessaly into Macedonian territory for Thrace, using escorts and local permission to avoid offending Thessalians, while Demosthenes prepares allies at Naupactus for the planned Sicphae operation.
those countries marched against and subdued Salynthius and the Agraeans; after which he devoted himself to the preparations necessary to enable him to be at Siphae by the time appointed. About the same time in the summer, Brasidas set out on his march for the Thracian places with seventeen hundred heavy infantry, and arriving at Heraclea in Trachis, from thence sent on a messenger to his friends at Pharsalus, to ask…
The fall of Amphipolis alarms Athens, since it threatens Spartan movement along the Strymon, while allies’ hopes rise under Brasidas’ moderate conduct; Athens rushes garrisons, and Brasidas begins campaigns in Chalcidice and toward Athos.
own wife Brauro; and Galepsus and Oesime, which are Thasian colonies, not long after followed its example. Perdiccas too came up immediately after the capture and joined in these arrangements. The news that Amphipolis was in the hands of the enemy caused great alarm at Athens. Not only was the town valuable for the timber it afforded for shipbuilding, and the money that it brought in; but also, although the escort o…
Phaeax is sent as an Athenian ambassador to Italy and Sicily while Cleon establishes Eion as a base, unsuccessfully assaults Stagirus, captures Galepsus, and informs Perdiccas and Thracian allies to gather forces; Brasidas positions himself to watch Amphipolis.
on the Athenian border, was taken by treachery by the Boeotians. Meanwhile Cleon, after placing a garrison in Torone, weighed anchor and sailed around Athos on his way to Amphipolis. About the same time Phaeax, son of Erasistratus, set sail with two colleagues as ambassador from Athens to Italy and Sicily. The Leontines, upon the departure of the Athenians from Sicily after the pacification, had placed a number of n…
Furious at Agis after Orchomenos falls, Lacedaemonian authorities add new legal restraints on him, then mobilize huge forces under orders to pressure Tegea and plunder near the temple of Heracles at Mantinea.
not having voted for Lepreum; while the rest of the allies made ready at Mantinea for going against Tegea, which a party inside had arranged to put into their hands. Meanwhile the Lacedaemonians, upon their return from Argos after concluding the four months’ truce, vehemently blamed Agis for not having subdued Argos, after an opportunity such as they thought they had never had before; for it was no easy matter to br…
Athenian envoys go to Sicily about Egesta’s promised money, while Sparta attacks Argive territory and the Athenians later vote to send sixty ships under Alcibiades, Nicias, and Lamachus.
there was really the money that they talked of in the treasury and temples, and at the same time to ascertain in what posture was the war with the Selinuntines. The envoys of the Athenians were accordingly dispatched to Sicily. The same winter the Lacedaemonians and their allies, the Corinthians excepted, marched into the Argive territory, and ravaged a small part of the land, and took some yokes of oxen and carried…
Alcibiades continues, insisting Athens must not neglect allies in Sicily, arguing that empire requires constant extension or it will be taken away, and warning that inaction will ruin the city.
I compelled the Lacedaemonians to stake their all upon the issue of a single day at Mantinea; and although victorious in the battle, they have never since fully recovered confidence. “Thus did my youth and so-called monstrous folly find fitting arguments to deal with the power of the Peloponnesians, and by its ardour win their confidence and prevail. And do not be afraid of my youth now, but while I am still in its …
As the expedition sails in midsummer, Athens stages a solemn departure from Piraeus with both citizens and foreigners escorting the fleet, mixing hope, grief, and curiosity at the show of power before crossing toward Corcyra.
sent for and brought home for trial upon some graver charge, which they would the more easily get up in his absence. Accordingly it was decreed that he should sail. After this the departure for Sicily took place, it being now about midsummer. Most of the allies, with the corn transports and the smaller craft and the rest of the expedition, had already received orders to muster at Corcyra, to cross the Ionian Sea fro…
The Camarinaeans hesitate because they fear Syracuse most despite sympathizing with Athens, answer both sides they will side with neither, then Athenian-Syracusan operations continue with winter planning and attempts to recruit Sicels.
now offered to you; but do like others, and instead of being always on the defensive against the Syracusans, unite with us, and in your turn at last threaten them.” Such were the words of Euphemus. What the Camarinaeans felt was this. Sympathizing with the Athenians, except in so far as they might be afraid of their subjugating Sicily, they had always been at enmity with their neighbour Syracuse. From the very fact,…
Gylippus refits and marches from Tarentum toward Himera, recruits troops and the Himeraeans, arrives at Epipolae, and immediately threatens Athenians who are finishing double walls and partial fortifications.
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Years of the War—Arrival of Gylippus at Syracuse—Fortification of Decelea—Successes of the Syracusans After refitting their ships, Gylippus and Pythen coasted along from Tarentum to Epizephyrian Locris. They now received the more correct information that Syracuse was not yet completely invested, but that it was still possible for an army arriving at Epipolae to effect an entrance; and they …
Nicias warns the Athenians that a Sicilian coalition and reinforcements are forming, so they must recall him or send another fleet, army, and money by early spring, or Syracuse will finish the war.
to relieve us from our present condition, and were to go over to the enemy, famine would compel us to evacuate, and Syracuse would finish the war without a blow. “I might, it is true, have written to you something different and more agreeable than this, but nothing certainly more useful, if it is desirable for you to know the real state of things here before taking your measures. Besides I know that it is your natur…
The Lacedaemonians decide to invade Attica again and intensify the war, citing Athens’s perceived treaty violations after fighting at Pylos and disputes over arbitration, and they spend the winter preparing fortifications.
to make it less easy for the Athenians there to hinder the departure of their merchantmen, by obliging them to keep an eye upon the galleys thus arrayed against them. In the meantime the Lacedaemonians prepared for their invasion of Attica, in accordance with their own previous resolve, and at the instigation of the Syracusans and Corinthians, who wished for an invasion to arrest the reinforcements which they heard …
Thracian troops arrive at Athens too late for Sicily and are sent back to Thrace via Euboea, where Diitrephes lands them at Tanagra and uses them to sack Mycalessus, which the Thebans rescue at heavy slaughter.
troops, as the Athenians were expected with a fresh army, and if the one already there could be destroyed before the other arrived, the war would be at an end. While the contending parties in Sicily were thus engaged, Demosthenes, having now got together the armament with which he was to go to the island, put out from Aegina, and making sail for Peloponnese, joined Charicles and the thirty ships of the Athenians. Ta…
Sicel and Syracusan-aligned envoys intended to bring collected troops into Sicily are attacked via a triple ambush, with most Siceliots and envoys killed and the surviving force led only by a Corinthian to Syracuse.
children had just gone, and massacred them all. In short, the disaster falling upon the whole town was unsurpassed in magnitude, and unapproached by any in suddenness and in horror. Meanwhile the Thebans heard of it and marched to the rescue, and overtaking the Thracians before they had gone far, recovered the plunder and drove them in panic to the Euripus and the sea, where the vessels which brought them were lying…
Syracusans attack Syracuse at once by land under Gylippus and by sea with about eighty ships, skirmishing through the day until they sink a few Athenian vessels and then plan renewed pressure.
be impossible, with the Syracusans in possession of the way out and in, especially as Plemmyrium would be hostile to them, and the mouth of the harbour was not large. With these contrivances to suit their skill and ability, and now more confident after the previous sea-fight, the Syracusans attacked by land and sea at once. The town force Gylippus led out a little the first and brought them up to the wall of the Ath…
During the winter after Sicily, Agis of Sparta raises allied contributions, raids for reprisal in Thessaly, extracts money and hostages, and pushes shipbuilding preparations, while the Athenians build ships and fortify Sunium and watch for revolts.
threatened them from Athens, if she had become mistress of Sicily, and that the overthrow of the Athenians would leave them in quiet enjoyment of the supremacy over all Hellas. Their king, Agis, accordingly set out at once during this winter with some troops from Decelea, and levied from the allies contributions for the fleet, and turning towards the Malian Gulf exacted a sum of money from the Oetaeans by carrying o…
As the Eetionia demolition aftermath unfolds, Athenians mobilize against Agesandridas’ approaching Peloponnesian ships, and the situation escalates as Euboea becomes the immediate strategic focus.
exist; being of opinion that to give themselves so many partners in empire would be downright democracy, while the mystery in question would make the people afraid of one another. The next day the Four Hundred, although alarmed, nevertheless assembled in the council chamber, while the heavy infantry in Piraeus, after having released their prisoner Alexicles and pulled down the fortification, went with their arms to …
At Ulysses’ house in Ithaca, Antinous and Eurymachus learn Telemachus sailed from Pylos with a ship they expected to control, so they plot an ambush to murder him on his return route.
old insolence. Antinous and Eurymachus, who were their ringleaders and much the foremost among them all, were sitting together when Noemon son of Phronius came up and said to Antinous, “Have we any idea, Antinous, on what day Telemachus returns from Pylos? He has a ship of mine, and I want it, to cross over to Elis: I have twelve brood mares there with yearling mule foals by their side not yet broken in, and I want …
In the wilderness of Sinai, God commands Moses to number Israel’s male fighting men (excluding Levi), then lists tribal leaders and reports counts by tribe, totaling 603,550.
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of witness, the first day of the second month, and in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt saying: take ye the sum of all the multitude of the children of Israel, in their kindreds and households of their fathers and number them by name all that are males, poll by poll, from twenty years and above: even all that are a…
The census continues with tribe-by-tribe totals and culminates in the overall sum of Israel’s fighting men, again emphasizing that Levi is not numbered and is assigned to tabernacle service.
their generation, in their kindreds and houses of their fathers (when their names were counted) from twenty years and above, whatsoever was apt for war, were numbered in the tribe of Isachar fifty four thousand and four hundred. Among the children of Zabulon: their generation, in their kindreds and houses of their fathers (after the number of names) from twenty years and above, whosoever was mete for the war: were co…
After the plague, Moses and Eleazar count Israelite men aged twenty and up for war in the fields of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho, listing tribal genealogies beginning with Reuben and Simeon.
When Balam saw that it pleased the LORD that he should bless Israel, he went not as he did twice before to fetch soothsaying, but set his face toward the wilderness, and lift up his eyes and looked upon Israel as he lay with his tribes, and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable and said: Balam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eye is open hath said: he hath said which heareth the word…
The census continues with counts and genealogies for Gad, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Ephraim/Manasse and other Joseph descendants, ending mid-list with Naphtali’s family names.
And Israel dwelt in Sittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab, which called the people unto the sacrifice of their gods. And the people ate and worshipped their gods, and Israel coupled himself unto Baal Peor. Then the LORD was angry with Israel, and said unto Moses: take all the heads of the people, and hang them up unto the LORD against the son, that the wrath of the LORD may turn a…
It lists the Israelite tribes and Levitical families, counts Israel’s population and relevant male figures, and explains how Moses’ numbered generation would die in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua.
and of Iezer, came the kindred of the Iezerites: and of Selem the kindred of Selemites. These are the kindreds of Naphthali in their generations in number forty five thousand and four hundred. These are the numbers of the children of Israel: six hundred thousand, and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. And the LORD spake unto Moses saying: unto these the land shall be divided to inherit, according to the number of n…
Moses recounts Israel’s arrival near the Amorite hills and their mission of twelve scouts to explore the land, then their refusal and rebellion that leads to God’s refusal for most men to see the promised land, with Caleb spared.
And there I said unto you: Ye are come unto the hills of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us. Behold the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee, go up and conquer it, as the LORD God of thy fathers sayeth unto thee: fear not, neither be discouraged. And then ye came unto me every one and said: Let us send men before us, to search us out the land and to bring us word again, both what way we shal…
Livy continues the siege operations: a dictator (Quintus Fabius) prosecutes the war against Saticula while the Samnites attempt to provoke battle near Roman lines.
and renouncing all hopes of relieving Saticula, sat themselves down before Plistia, which was in alliance with the Romans, that they might, if possible, retort equal vexation on their enemy. 22. The year coming to a conclusion, the war was thenceforward conducted by a dictator, Quintius Fabius. The new consuls, Lucius Papirius Cursor and Quintus Publilius Philo, both a fourth time, as the former had done, remained a…
A dictator (Publius Cornelius Scipio, with Publius Decius Mus as master of the horse) holds consul elections while Samnites raid Campania; Postumius and Minucius win at Tifernum and Bovianum, receiving triumphs.
at the public expense. During the same year the treaty with the Carthaginians was renewed a third time, and ample presents made to their ambassadors who came on that business. 44. This year had a dictator in office, Publius Cornelius Scipio, with Publius Decius Mus, master of the horse. By these the election of consuls was held, being the purpose for which they had been created, because neither of the consuls could …
After a Roman disaster, Rome proclaims a justitium and mobilizes the dictator to restore order, then advances into Rusella where Etruscans try an ambush from burnt town ruins.
all, in the qualifications of a commander, he fully merited his surname; but besides, mindful of Papirius's severity, he never could have been tempted to fight, without the dictator's orders. 4. The news of this disaster excited at Rome an alarm greater than suited the importance of the affair; for, as if the army had been destroyed, a justitium was proclaimed, guards mounted at the gates, and watches set in every s…
Decius defeats the Apulians near Maleventum, then devastates Samnium for five months; Fabius returns for elections, leading to consuls Appius Claudius and Lucius Volumnius amid patrician-plebeian tension.
than might have been expected, considering the completeness of the victory. There were three thousand four hundred slain, about eight hundred and thirty made prisoners, and twenty-three military standards taken. 15. The Apulians would have joined their forces to the Samnites before this battle, had not the consul, Publius Decius, encamped in their neighbourhood at Maleventum; and, finding means to bring them to an e…
News of Campanian depredations and Etruscan-Umbrian unrest alarms Rome; the senate shuts courts, levies men for defense, orders colonies at Minturnae and Sinuessa, and urges Decius and Fabius to cooperate as elections proceed.
and an abundance of spoil was found, and given up to the soldiers. Of the enemy seven thousand three hundred were slain; and two thousand one hundred and twenty taken. 20. While both the consuls, with the whole force of the Romans, pointed their exertions principally against the war in Etruria, a new army which arose in Samnium, with design to ravage the frontiers of the Roman empire, passed over through the country…
Livy recounts Roman handling of the Etrurian province: Etruria withdraws from the Comitium, and Quintus Fabius receives the province without sortition while younger citizens enlist in hopes of serving him.
Etruria, withdrew from the Comitium, and with no less unanimity of the people than of the senate, the province of Etruria was decreed to him without having recourse to lots. 25. Immediately almost all the younger citizens flocked together to the consul, and readily gave in their names; so strong was their desire of serving under such a commander. Seeing so great a multitude collected round him, he said, "My intentio…
The Roman consuls besieged or took towns in Samnium and positioned at Aquilonia, while Papirius planned a coordinated assault on Aquilonia and Cominium to prevent Samnite reinforcements.
in this year, the state having been twice bound by the same vow, it became a matter of religious obligation that the senate should order the temple to be erected. 38. In the next year, we find a consul, distinguished by the united splendour of his own and his father's glory, Lucius Papirius Cursor, as also a war of vast importance, and a victory of such consequence, as no man, excepting Lucius Papirius, the consul's…
Livy reports the aftermath and spoil from Saguntum, then describes Roman reactions in Rome—grief, fear, rage—leading to war planning and lotteries dividing Spain for Cornelius and Africa with Sicily for Sempronius.
about to excite the nations of Gaul, ever desirous of war; and that a war against the world was to be maintained in Italy and before the walls of Rome. 17. The provinces had already been previously named for the consuls; and having been now ordered to cast lots for them, Spain fell to Cornelius, and Africa with Sicily to Sempronius. Six legions were decreed for that year, and as many of the allies as should seem goo…
The Roman senate and people formalize war against Carthage, levy legions and allied forces, assign fleets and armies to consuls, and dispatch envoys to negotiate based on whether Hannibal besieged Saguntum by public authority.
Gaul being not as yet exposed to the Carthaginian invasion, had, in the same year, two Roman legions, ten thousand allied infantry, one thousand allied cavalry, and six hundred Roman. 18. These preparations having been thus made, in order that every thing that was proper might be done before they commenced war, they send Quintus Fabius, Marcus Livius, Lucius Aemilius, Caius Licinius, and Quintus Baebius, men of adva…