Page:History of Greece Vol VI.djvu/492

 470 HISTORY OF GBEECE was uot wound up to battle pitch, and when, after carelessly mounting the hill to survey the ground, they were thinking only of quietly returning to quarters. He himself at the proper mo- ment would rush out from one gate, and be foremost in conflict with the enemy: Klearidas, with that bravery which became him as a Spartan, would follow the example by sallying out from another gate : and the enemy, taken thus unawares, would prob- ably make little resistance. For the Amphipolitans, this day and their own behavior would determine whether they were to be allies of Lacedoemon, or slaves of Athens, perhaps sold into captivity or even put to death as a punishment for their recent revolt. These preparations, however, could not be completed in secrecy ; for Brasidas and his army were perfectly visible while descend- ing the hill of Kerdylium, crossing the bridge and entering Am- phipolis, to the Athenian scouts without : moreover, so conspicuous was the interior of the city to spectators without, that the temple of Athene, and Brasidas with its ministers around him, performing the ceremony of sacrifice, was distinctly recognized. The fact was made known to Kleon as he stood on the high ridge taking his survey, while at the same time those who had gone near to the gates reported that the feet of many horses and men were beginning to be seen under them, as if preparing for a sally. 1 He Xaivov~ai, TTJV diavoiav e%ovffiv, ev T$ av sifiEvy avruv TTJS yvu/j.rjf, Kai irpiv ^WTaxftfivai fiahhov TTJV do^av, b/u fj.lv, etc. The words TO aveifievov rriq yvutiriq arc full of significance in regard to ancient military affairs. The Grecian hoplites, even the best of them, re- quired to be peculiarly wound up for a battle ; hence the necessity of the harangue from the general which always preceded. Compare Xenophon's ei Jogy of the manoeuvres of Epameinondas before the battle of Mantineia, hereby he made the enemy fancy that he was not going to fight, and took down the preparation in the minds of their soldiers for battle : lA-'ae fj.lv t iv nfaiaruv TTOAC/^WV TTJV tv raif ipv^alf Trpdf ftax r ' v ^apaaKE^t/v, etc. jXenoph. Hellen. vii, 5, 22.) 1 Thucyd. v, 10. Tip 6e K?,EUVI, Qavspov yEvopEvav O.VTOV unb toil Kcp- 6v. iov KaraSuvToe KOI iv ry irofai EXKJMIVEI oven) E^U'&EV Trspi TOV ispov rf/{ 'Ai-fvctf &VO/IEVOV Hal ravra irpaoafrvroc, dy^'t/lAerai (npovKfxupTjuei yac