Polybius, Histories

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Book 5 - Chapter 20

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<w lemma="%2Aoi%28">Οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnioi">Μεσσήνιοι</w>, <w lemma="komisa%2Fmenoi">κομισάμενοι</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="gra%2Fmmata">γράμματα</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="para%5C">παρὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Afilppi%2Fou">Φιλππίου</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="stratei%2Fas">στρατείας</w>, <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="o%28rmh%3D%7C">ὁρμῇ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllwn">ἄλλων</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29lei%2Fponto">ἐλείποντο</w> <w lemma="summa%2Fxwn">συμμάχων</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fcodon">ἔξοδον</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsanto">ἐποιήσαντο</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="spoudh%3Ds">σπουδῆς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29kmaiota%2Ftous">ἀκμαιοτάτους</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fndras">ἄνδρας</w> <w lemma="e%29ce%2Fpemyan">ἐξέπεμψαν</w>, <w lemma="pezou%5Cs">πεζοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="disxili%2Fous">δισχιλίους</w>, <w lemma="i%28ppei%3Ds">ἱππεῖς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="diakosi%2Fous">διακοσίους</w>.
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<w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fkei">μήκει</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="o%28dou%3D">ὁδοῦ</w> <w lemma="kaqusterh%2Fsantes">καθυστερήσαντες</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Atege%2Fan">Τεγέαν</w> <w lemma="parousi%2Fas">παρουσίας</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="%2Afili%2Fppou">Φιλίππου</w>, <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="prw%3Dton">πρῶτον</w> <w lemma="h%29po%2Froun">ἠπόρουν</w> <w lemma="ti%2F">τί</w> <w lemma="de%2Fon">δέον</w> <w lemma="ei%29%2Fh">εἴη</w> <w lemma="poiei%3Dn:">ποιεῖν·</w>
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<w lemma="a%29gwniw%3Dntes">ἀγωνιῶντες</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="do%2Fcaien">δόξαιεν</w> <w lemma="e%29qelokakei%3Dn">ἐθελοκακεῖν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="progegenhme%2Fnas">προγεγενημένας</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%5Cs">αὐτοὺς</w> <w lemma="u%28poyi%2Fas">ὑποψίας</w>, <w lemma="w%28%2Frmhsan">ὥρμησαν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29argei%2Fas">Ἀργείας</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Alakwnikh%2Fn">Λακωνικήν</w>, <w lemma="boulo%2Fmenoi">βουλόμενοι</w> <w lemma="suna%2Fyai">συνάψαι</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Afi%2Flippon">Φίλιππον</w>.
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<w lemma="parageno%2Fmenoi">παραγενόμενοι</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="%2Aglumpei%3Ds">Γλυμπεῖς</w> <w lemma="xwri%2Fon">χωρίον</w>, <w lemma="o%28%5C">ὃ</w> <w lemma="kei%3Dtai">κεῖται</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Frous">ὅρους</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29argei%2Fas">Ἀργείας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="%2Alakwnikh%3Ds">Λακωνικῆς</w>, <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="katestratope%2Fdeusan">κατεστρατοπέδευσαν</w> <w lemma="a%29pei%2Frws">ἀπείρως</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="r%28a%7Cqu%2Fmws:">ῥᾳθύμως·</w>
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<w lemma="ou%29%2Fte">οὔτε</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffron">τάφρον</w> <w lemma="ou%29%2Fte">οὔτε</w> <w lemma="xa%2Fraka">χάρακα</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="parembolh%3D%7C">παρεμβολῇ</w> <w lemma="perie%2Fbalon">περιέβαλον</w> <w lemma="ou%29%2Fte">οὔτε</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpon">τόπον</w> <w lemma="eu%29fuh%3D">εὐφυῆ</w> <w lemma="perie%2Fbleyan">περιέβλεψαν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="katoikou%2Fntwn">κατοικούντων</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="xwri%2Fon">χωρίον</w> <w lemma="eu%29noi%2Fa%7C">εὐνοίᾳ</w> <w lemma="pisteu%2Fontes">πιστεύοντες</w> <w lemma="a%29ka%2Fkws">ἀκάκως</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="tei%2Fxous">τείχους</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="parene%2Fbalon">παρενέβαλον</w>.
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<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Alukou%3Drgos">Λυκοῦργος</w>, <w lemma="prosaggelqei%2Fshs">προσαγγελθείσης</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Amesshni%2Fwn">Μεσσηνίων</w> <w lemma="parousi%2Fas">παρουσίας</w>, <w lemma="a%29nalabw%5Cn">ἀναλαβὼν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="misqofo%2Frous">μισθοφόρους</w> <w lemma="kai%2F">καί</w> <w lemma="tinas">τινας</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedaimoni%2Fwn">Λακεδαιμονίων</w> <w lemma="proh%3Dge">προῆγε</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="suna%2Fyas">συνάψας</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpois">τόποις</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%28wqinh%5Cn">ἑωθινὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29pe%2Fqeto">ἐπέθετο</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="stratopedei%2Fa%7C">στρατοπεδείᾳ</w> <w lemma="tolmhrw%3Ds">τολμηρῶς</w>. <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnioi">Μεσσήνιοι</w>,
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<w lemma="ta%29%2Flla">τἄλλα</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fnta">πάντα</w> <w lemma="kakw%3Ds">κακῶς</w> <w lemma="bouleusa%2Fmenoi">βουλευσάμενοι</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="proelqei%3Dn">προελθεῖν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Atege%2Fas">Τεγέας</w>, <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plh%3Dqos">πλῆθος</w> <w lemma="a%29cio%2Fxrews">ἀξιόχρεως</w> <w lemma="u%28pa%2Frxontes">ὑπάρχοντες</w> <w lemma="mh%2Fte">μήτε</w> <w lemma="pisteu%2Fontes">πιστεύοντες</w> <w lemma="e%29mpei%2Frois">ἐμπείροις</w>, <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29to%2Fn">αὐτόν</w> <w lemma="ge">γε</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="ki%2Fndunon">κίνδυνον</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%2Fqesin">ἐπίθεσιν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fmws">ὅμως</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="dunato%5Cn">δυνατὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pragma%2Ftwn">πραγμάτων</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Flabon">ἔλαβον</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%28autw%3Dn">ἑαυτῶν</w> <w lemma="swthri%2Fan:">σωτηρίαν·</w>
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<w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="sunidei%3Dn">συνιδεῖν</w> <w lemma="e%29pifainome%2Fnous">ἐπιφαινομένους</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fous">πολεμίους</w> <w lemma="a%29fe%2Fmenoi">ἀφέμενοι</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntwn">πάντων</w> <w lemma="spoudh%3D%7C">σπουδῇ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="xwri%2Fon">χωρίον</w> <w lemma="prose%2Ffugon">προσέφυγον</w>.
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<w lemma="dio%2Fper">διόπερ</w> <w lemma="%2Alukou%3Drgos">Λυκοῦργος</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="i%28%2Fppwn">ἵππων</w> <w lemma="e%29gkrath%5Cs">ἐγκρατὴς</w> <w lemma="e%29ge%2Fneto">ἐγένετο</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fstwn">πλείστων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29poskeuh%3Ds">ἀποσκευῆς</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29ndrw%3Dn">ἀνδρῶν</w> <w lemma="zwgri%2Fa%7C">ζωγρίᾳ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29deno%5Cs">οὐδενὸς</w> <w lemma="e%29kuri%2Feuse">ἐκυρίευσε</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="i%28ppe%2Fwn">ἱππέων</w> <w lemma="o%29ktw%5C">ὀκτὼ</w> <w lemma="mo%2Fnon">μόνον</w> <w lemma="a%29pe%2Fkteine">ἀπέκτεινε</w>.
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<w lemma=""></w> <w lemma="%2Amessh%2Fnioi">Μεσσήνιοι</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="toiau%2Fth%7C">τοιαύτῃ</w> <w lemma="peripetei%2Fa%7C">περιπετείᾳ</w> <w lemma="xrhsa%2Fmenoi">χρησάμενοι</w> <w lemma="pa%2Flin">πάλιν</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="%2A%29%2Fargous">Ἄργους</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="oi%29kei%2Fan">οἰκείαν</w> <w lemma="a%29nekomi%2Fsqhsan">ἀνεκομίσθησαν</w>.
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<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Alukou%3Drgos">Λυκοῦργος</w> <w lemma="metewrisqei%5Cs">μετεωρισθεὶς</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="gegono%2Fti">γεγονότι</w>, <w lemma="parageno%2Fmenos">παραγενόμενος</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="%2Alakedai%2Fmona">Λακεδαίμονα</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="paraskeuh%5Cn">παρασκευὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29gi%2Fneto">ἐγίνετο</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sunh%2Fdreue">συνήδρευε</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="fi%2Flwn">φίλων</w>, <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29a%2Fswn">ἐάσων</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Afi%2Flippon">Φίλιππον</w> <w lemma="e%29panelqei%3Dn">ἐπανελθεῖν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fras">χώρας</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fneu">ἄνευ</w> <w lemma="kindu%2Fnou">κινδύνου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="sumplokh%3Ds">συμπλοκῆς</w>.
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<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="basileu%5Cs">βασιλεὺς</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%28elei%2Fas">Ἑλείας</w> <w lemma="a%29nazeu%2Fcas">ἀναζεύξας</w> <w lemma="proh%3Dge">προῆγε</w>, <w lemma="porqw%3Dn">πορθῶν</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="xw%2Fran">χώραν</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tetartai%3Dos">τεταρταῖος</w> <w lemma="au%29%3Dqis">αὖθις</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29amu%2Fklas">Ἀμύκλας</w> <w lemma="kath%3Dre">κατῆρε</w> <w lemma="panti%5C">παντὶ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="strateu%2Fmati">στρατεύματι</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fson">μέσον</w> <w lemma="h%28me%2Fras">ἡμέρας</w>.
<head>Philip's Return Opposed</head>On the receipt of the despatch from Philip commanding<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note53">Abortive attempt of the Messenians to join Philip.</note>the levy, the Messenians were no less forward than the other allies to undertake it. They showed indeed great zeal in making the expedition, sending cut the flower of their troops, two thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry. Owing, however, to their distance from the seat of war, they arrived at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tegea&groupId=1011&placeId=1780">Tegea</a> after Philip had left, and at first were at a loss what to do; but being very anxious not to appear lukewarm in the campaign, because of the suspicions which had attached to them before, they pressed forward through <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argolis&groupId=360&placeId=687">Argolis</a> into <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Laconia&groupId=662&placeId=1211">Laconia</a>, with a view of effecting a junction with Philip; and having reached a fort called Glympes, which is situated on the frontiers of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argolis&groupId=360&placeId=687">Argolis</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Laconia&groupId=662&placeId=1211">Laconia</a>, they encamped there in an unskilful and careless manner: for they neither entrenched themselves with ditch nor rampart, nor selected an advantageous spot; but trusting to the friendly disposition of the natives, bivouacked there unsuspiciously outside the walls of the fortress. But on news being brought to Lycurgus of the arrival of the Messenians, he took his mercenaries and some Lacedaemonians with him, and reaching the place before daybreak, boldly attacked the camp. Ill advised as the proceedings of the Messenians had been, and especially in advancing<pb n="377" />from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Tegea&groupId=1011&placeId=1780">Tegea</a> with inadequate numbers and without the direction of experts, in the actual hour of danger, when the enemy was upon them, they did all that circumstances admitted of to secure their safety. For as soon as they saw the enemy appearing they abandoned everything and took refuge within the fort. Accordingly, though Lycurgus captured most of the horses and the baggage, he did not take a single prisoner, and only succeeded in killing eight of the cavalry.<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note54">Lycurgus resolves to intercept Philip on his return at the pass opposite <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>.</note>After this reverse, the Messenians returned home through <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argolis&groupId=360&placeId=687">Argolis</a>: but elated with success Lycurgus went to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, and set about preparations for war; and took secret counsel with his friends to prevent Philip from getting safe out of the country without an engagement. Meanwhile the king had started from the district of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Helos&groupId=621&placeId=1142">Helos</a>, and was on his return march, wasting the country as he came; and on the fourth day, about noon, arrived once more with his whole army at Amyclae.