The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 04 : $b Greece to the Roman Conquest
World history
Having thus spoken, he faced about towards the enemy, and remained still.
For their prophet gave them orders not to make the onset before some one
on their side had either fallen, or been wounded: “When, however,” said
he, “that has happened, I will lead the way, and there will be victory
for you who follow, but death to me, as I, at least, believe.” And he
spoke no falsehood; but when they had taken up their arms, he himself, as
though led by some destiny, was the first to bound forward, and falling
on the enemy was killed, and is buried by the passage of the Cephisus;
but the rest were victorious, and pursued them as far as the level
ground. There were slain there, of the Thirty, Critias and Hippomachus;
of the ten commanders in Piræus, Charmides, son of Glaucon; and of the
rest about seventy. The conquerors took the arms, but plundered the
clothes of none of their fellow-citizens. And when this was done, and
they were returning the dead under a truce, many on both sides came up
and conversed together. And Cleocritus, the herald of the initiated,[3]
being gifted with a very fine voice, hushed them into silence and thus
addressed them:
“Fellow-citizens, why are you driving us from our country? Why do you
wish to kill us? For we have never yet done you any harm; but have
shared with you both the most solemn rites, and the noblest sacrifices
and festivals; and have been your companions in the dance, and in the
schools, and in war; and have faced many dangers with you by land and by
sea, for the common safety and liberty of both parties. In the name of
our fathers’ and our mothers’ gods, in the name of kindred, and affinity,
and fellowship (for all these things have we in common with one another),
cease sinning against your country, and be not persuaded by those most
impious Thirty, who, for the sake of their own gain, have killed almost
more of the Athenians in eight months than all the Peloponnesians in
ten years’ warfare. And when we might live together in peace, these
men inflict on us that war which of all is the most disgraceful, and
grievous, and impious, and most hateful both to gods and men--war with
one another. But, however, be well assured, that for some of those now
slain by us, not only you, but we also, have shed many tears.” Such was
his speech. The rest of the enemy’s commanders, from the very fact of
their hearing such fresh appeals to them, led back their men into the
city.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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