B.C. 366. Matters had so far progressed that the Argives had already fortified1 the Trikaranon above the Heraion as an outpost to threaten Phlius, while the Sicyonians were engaged in fortifying2 Thyamia684 on their frontier; and between the two the Phliasians were severely3 pinched. They began to suffer from dearth4 of necessaries; but, in spite of all, remained unshaken in their alliance. It is the habit of historians, I know, to record with admiration5 each noble achievement of the larger powers, but to me it seems a still more worthy6 task to bring to light the great exploits of even a little state found faithful in the performance of fair deeds.
B.C. 370-369. Now these Phliasians were friends of Lacedaemon while at the zenith of her power. After her disaster on the field of Leuctra, when many of the Perioeci, and the helots to a man, revolted; when, more than that, the allies, save only quite a few, forsook7 her;685 and when united Hellas, so to speak, was marching on her — these Phliasians remained stanch8 in their allegiance; and, in spite of the hostility9 of the most powerful states of the Peloponnese, to wit the Arcardians and the Argives, they insisted on coming to her aid. It fell to their lot to cross into Prasiae as the rearguard of the reinforcements, which consisted of the men of Corinth, of Epidaurus and of Troezen, of Hermione, Halieis, and Sicyon and Pellene, in the days before any of these had revolted.686 Not even when the commander of the foreign brigade, picking up the divisions already across, left them behind and was gone — not even so did they flinch10 or turn back, but hired a guide from Prasiae, and though the enemy was massed round Amyclae, slipped through his ranks, as best they could, and so reached Sparta. It was then that the Lacedaemonians, besides other honours conferred upon them, sent them an ox as a gift of hospitality.
B.C. 369. Later on, when the enemy had retired11 from Laconia, the Argives, ill brooking12 so much zeal13 for Lacedaemon on the part of Phlius, marched in full force against the little state, and fell to ravaging14 their territory. Even then they remained undaunted; and when the enemy turned to retire, destroying all that he could lay hands upon, out dashed the cavalry15 of the Phliasians and dogged his retreat. And notwithstanding that the Argive’s rear consisted of the whole of his cavalry, with some companies of infantry16 to support them, they attacked him, sixty in number, and routed his whole rearguard. They slew17, indeed, but a few of them; but, having so slain18 that handful, they paused and erected19 a trophy20 in full sight of the Argive army with as little concern as if they had cut down their enemies to a man.
Once again the Lacedaemonians and their allies were guarding Oneion,687 and the Thebans were threatening to scale the pass. The Arcadians and Eleians688 were moving forwards through Nemea to effect a junction21 with the Thebans, when a hint was conveyed to them by some Phliasian exiles, “Only show yourselves before Phlius and the town is yours.” An agreement was made, and in the dead of night a party consisting of the exiles themselves and others with them, about six hundred in number, planted themselves close under the walls with scaling-ladders. Presently the scouts22 from the Trikaranon signalled to the city that the enemy was advancing. The citizens were all attention; their eyes fixed23 upon their scouts. Meanwhile the traitors24 within were likewise signalling to those seated under lee of the walls “to scale”; and these, scaling up, seized the arms of the guards, which they found abandoned, and fell to pursuing the day sentinels, ten in number (one out of each squad25 of five being always left on day duty).689 One of these was put to the sword as he lay asleep, and a second as he was escaping to the Heraion; but the other eight day-pickets26 leapt down the wall on the side towards the city, one after another. The scaling party now found themselves in undisputed possession of the citadel27. But the shouting had reached the city below: the citizens rallied to the rescue; and the enemy began by sallying forth28 from the citadel, and did battle in the forefront of the gate leading down to the city. By and by, being strongly beleaguered29 by the ever-increasing reinforcements of the citizens, they retired, falling back upon the citadel; and the citizens along with the enemy forced their way in. The centre of the citadel was speedily deserted30; for the enemy scaled the walls and towers, and showered blows and missiles upon the citizens below. These defended themselves from the ground, or pressed the encounter home by climbing the ladders which led to the walls. Once masters of certain towers on this side and the other of the invaders31, the citizens came to close quarters with them with reckless desperation. The invaders, pushed and pommelled by dint32 of such audacity33 and hard hitting, were cooped up like sheep into narrower and narrower space. But at that critical moment the Arcadians and the Argives were circling round the city, and had begun to dig through the walls of the citadel from its upper side.690 Of the citizens inside some were beating down their assailants on the wall;691 others, those of them who were climbing up from outside and were still on the scaling-ladders, whilst a third set were delivering battle against those who had mounted the towers. These last had found fire in the men’s quarters, and were engaged in setting the towers and all ablaze34, bringing up sheaves of corn and grass — an ample harvesting, as luck would have it, garnered35 off the citadel itself. Thereupon the occupants of the towers, in terror of the flames, leapt down one by one, while those on the walls, under the blows of the defenders36, tumbled off with similar expedition; and as soon as they had once begun to yield, the whole citadel, in almost less time than it takes to tell, was cleared of the enemy. In an instant out dashed the cavalry, and the enemy, seeing them, beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind scaling-ladders and dead, besides some comrades hopelessly maimed. In fact, the enemy, what between those who were slain inside and those who leapt from the walls, lost not less than eighty men. And now it was a goodly sight to see the brave men grasp one another by the hand and pledge each other on their preservation37, whilst the women brought them drink and cried for joy. Not one there present but in very sooth was overcome by laughter mixed with tears.692
Next year also693 Phlius was invaded by the Argives and all the Arcadians. The reason of this perpetually-renewed attack on Phlius is not far to seek: partly it was the result of spleen, partly the little township stood midway between them, and they cherished the hope that through want of the necessaries of life they would bring it over. During this invasion the cavalry and the picked troop of the Phliasians, assisted by some Athenian knights38, made another famous charge at the crossing of the river.694 They made it so hot for the enemy that for the rest of that day he was forced to retire under the mountain ridges39, and to hold aloof40 as if afraid to trample41 down the corn-crops of a friendly people on the flat below.
Again another time695 the Theban commander in Sicyon marched out against Phlius, taking with him the garrison42 under his personal command, with the Sicyonians and Pellenians (for at the date of the incident these states followed in the wake of Thebes). Euphron was there also with his mercenaries, about two thousand in number, to share the fortunes of the field. The mass of the troops began their descent on the Heraion by the Trikaranon, intending to ravage43 the flat bottom below. At the gate leading to Corinth the Theban general left his Sicyonians and Pellenians on the height, to prevent the Phliasians getting behind him at this point and so over the heads of his troops as they lay at the Heraion beneath.696 As soon as the citizens of Phlius found that hostile troops were advancing on their corn-land, out dashed the cavalry with the chosen band of the Phliasians and gave battle, not suffering the enemy to penetrate44 into the plain. The best part of the day was spent in taking long shots at one another on that field; Euphron pushing his attack down to the point where cavalry could operate, the citizens retaliating45 as far as the Heraion. Presently the time to withdraw had come, and the enemy began to retire, following the circle of the Trikaranon; the short cut to reach the Pellenians being barred by the ravine which runs in front of the walls. The Phliasians escorted their retreating foes47 a little way up the steep, and then turning off dashed along the road beside the walls, making for the Pellenians and those with them; whereupon the Theban, perceiving the haste of the Phliasians, began racing48 with his infantry to outspeed them and bring succour to the Pellenians. The cavalry, however, arrived first and fell to attacking the Pellenians, who received and withstood the shock, and the cavalry drew back. A second time they charged, and were supported by some infantry detachments, which had now come up. It ended in a hand-to-hand fight; and eventually the enemy gave way. On the field lay dead some Sicyonians, and of the Pellenians many a good man. In record of the feat49 the Phliasians began to raise a trophy, as well they might; and loud and clear the paean50 rang. As to the Theban and Euphron, they and all their men stood by and stared at the proceedings51, like men who had raced to see a sight. After all was over the one party retired to Sicyon and the other withdrew into their city.
That too was another noble exploit of the Phliasians, when they took the Pellenian Proxenus prisoner and, although suffering from scarcity52 at the time, sent him back without a ransom53. “As generous as brave,” such is their well-earned title who were capable of such performance.
The heroic resolution with which these men maintained their loyalty54 to their friends is manifest. When excluded from the fruits of their own soil, they contrived55 to live, partly by helping56 themselves from the enemy’s territory, partly by purchasing from Corinth, though to reach that market they must run the gauntlet of a thousand risks; and having reached it their troubles began afresh. There were difficulties in providing the requisite57 sum, difficulties in arranging with the purveyors, and it was barely possible to find sureties for the very beasts which should carry home their marketing58. They had reached the depth of despair, and were absolutely at a loss what to do, when they arranged with Chares to escort their convoy59. Once safe inside Phlius, they begged him to help them to convey their useless and sick folk to Pellene.697 These they left at that place; and after making purchases and packing as many beasts of burthen as they could, they set off to return in the night, not in ignorance that they would be laid in wait for by the enemy, but persuaded that the want of provisions was a worse evil than mere60 fighting.
The men of Phlius pushed forward with Chares; presently they stumbled on the enemy and at once grappled to their work. Pressing hard on the foe46, they called cheerily to one another, and shouted at the same time to Chares to bring up his aid. In short, the victory was theirs; and the enemy was driven off the road; and so they got themselves and their supplies safely home. The long night-watching superinduced sleep which lasted well into the next day. But Chares was no sooner out of bed then he was accosted61 by the cavalry and the pick of the heavy infantry with the following appeal: “Chares, today you have it in your power to perform the noblest deed of arms. The Sicyonians are fortifying an outpost on our borders, they have plenty of stone-masons but a mere handful of hoplites. We the knights of Phlius and we the flower of our infantry force will lead the way; and you shall follow after with your mercenaries. Perhaps when you appear on the scene you will find the whole thing finished, or perhaps your coming will send the enemy flying, as happened at Pellene. If you do not like the sound of these proposals, sacrifice and take counsel of the gods. Our belief is that the gods will bid you yet more emphatically than we to take this step. Only this, Chares, you must well consider, that if you do take it you will have established an outpost on the enemy’s frontier; you will have saved from perdition a friendly city; you will win eternal glory in your own fatherland; and among friends and foes alike no name will be heralded62 with louder praise than that of Chares.”
Chares was persuaded, and proceeded to offer sacrifice. Meanwhile the Phliasian cavalry were donning their breastplates and bridling64 their horses, and the heavy infantry made every preparation for the march. Then they took their arms, fell into line, and tramped off to the place of sacrifice. Chares with the soothsayer stepped forward to meet them, announcing that the victims were favourable65. “Only wait for us,” they exclaimed; “we will sally forth with you at once.” The heralds’ cry “To arms!” was sounded, and with a zeal which was almost miraculous66 the mercenaries themselves rushed out. As soon as Chares began the march, the Phliasian cavalry and infantry got in front of him. At first they led off at a smart pace; presently they began to bowl698 along more quickly, and finally the cavalry were tearing over the ground might and main, whilst the infantry, at the greatest pace compatible with keeping their ranks, tore after them; and behind them, again, came Chares zealously67 following up in their rear. There only remained a brief interval68 of daylight before the sun went down, and they came upon the enemy in the fortress69, some washing, some cooking a savoury meal, others kneading their bread, others making their beds. These, when they saw the vehemence70 of the attack, at once, in utter panic, took to flight, leaving behind all their provisions for the brave fellows who took their place. They, as their reward, made a fine supper off these stores and others which had come from home, pouring out libations for their good fortune and chanting the battle-hymn; after which they posted pickets for the night and slumbered71 well. The messenger with the news of their success at Thyamia arrived at Corinth in the night. The citizens of that state with hearty72 friendship at once ordered out by herald63 all the oxen and beasts of burthen, which they loaded with food and brought to Phlius; and all the while the fortress was building day by day these convoys73 of food were duly despatched.
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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fortifying
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| 筑防御工事于( fortify的现在分词 )； 筑堡于； 增强； 强化（食品） | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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dearth
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| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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brooking
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| 容忍，忍受（brook的现在分词形式） | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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ravaging
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| 毁坏( ravage的现在分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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garnered
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| v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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retaliating
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| v.报复，反击( retaliate的现在分词 ) | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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paean
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| n.赞美歌，欢乐歌 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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scarcity
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| n.缺乏，不足，萧条 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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marketing
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| n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西 | |
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convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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bridling
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的现在分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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convoys
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| n.（有护航的）船队( convoy的名词复数 )；车队；护航（队）；护送队 | |
参考例句： |
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