XIV: Eighth and Ninth Years of the War — Invasion of Boeotia — Fall of Amphipolis — Brilliant Successes of Brasidas explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Leadership and Strategy

  Brasidas' persuasive diplomacy and Pagondas' tactical use of cavalry at Delium exemplify strategic leadership in war.

• Alliance and Betrayal

  The plot to betray Siphae and Chaeronea to the Athenians, and Brasidas' efforts to win over Acanthus, underscore the fragility of alliances.

• Democracy vs. Oligarchy

  The Boeotian conspirators aim to introduce democracy, while Brasidas offers freedom from Athenian democracy, highlighting the conflict between political systems.

Characters to notice

• Brasidas

  Delivers a persuasive speech to the Acanthians, offering freedom from Athens and securing their alliance; marches through Thessaly to Thrace.

• Demosthenes

  Athenian general sent to Naupactus with forty ships to raise an army and receive Siphae from conspirators in Boeotia.

• Hippocrates

  Athenian general who leads the invasion of Boeotia and encourages the troops before the battle of Delium, where he is killed.

• Pagondas

  Boeotian commander who rallies his troops and uses cavalry to outflank the Athenians, securing victory at Delium.

• Lamachus

  Athenian commander who sails into the Pontus but loses his ships in the river Calex; marches overland to Chalcedon.

• Perdiccas

  Friend of Niconidas from Larissa, mentioned as a contact for Brasidas during his Thessalian march.

Key passages

• “I have come here not to hurt but to free the Hellenes, witness the solemn oaths by which I have bound my government that the allies that I may bring over shall be independent; and besides my object in coming is not by force or fraud to obtain your alliance, but to offer you mine to help you against your Athenian masters.”

  Brasidas claims his mission is to liberate Greeks, not harm them, and promises independence to allies, offering his alliance freely against Athens.

  Brasidas' speech to the Acanthians emphasizes his self-proclaimed role as a liberator, contrasting with Spartan imperial ambitions.

• “If to these considerations of mine you put in the plea of inability, and claim that your friendly feeling should save you from being hurt by your refusal; if you say that freedom, in your opinion, is not without its dangers, and that it is right to offer it to those who can accept it, but not to force it on any against their will, then I shall take the gods and heroes of your country to witness that I came for your good and was rejected, and shall do my best to compel you by laying waste your land.”

  Brasidas warns that if the Acanthians refuse his offer of freedom, he will be forced to ravage their land, justifying it as necessary to prevent them from aiding Athens.

  This threat reveals the coercive side of Brasidas' 'liberation' campaign, blending persuasion with intimidation.

• “Athenians, I shall only say a few words to you, but brave men require no more, and they are addressed more to your understanding than to your courage. None of you must fancy that we are going out of our way to run this risk in the country of another. Fought in their territory the battle will be for ours: if we conquer, the Peloponnesians will never invade your country without the Boeotian horse, and in one battle you will win Boeotia and in a manner free Attica.”

  Hippocrates tells his troops that the battle in Boeotia is actually for Athens' own defense, as victory would prevent future Peloponnesian invasions.

  Hippocrates' pre-battle speech frames the invasion as a strategic necessity to protect Attica.