Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/362

 354 PHRYNICHUS INSISTS ON RETREATING [vill 27 They determined to go at daybreak and relieve the _,, „ place. But Phrvnichus the Athenian They agree ; ana the " -^ _ Aiheuiaiis Jiearing of general had certain information from their approach on the Lcros of their approach, and, although evening of their oivn, . 1 • «. j «. • j ■ , , „ 1 ■ r his colleacfues wanted to remani and victorv, bv the advice oj ^ Phrvnichus, ivho over- risk a battle, he refused and declared rules his colleagues, that he would neither himself fight, nor withdraw to Santos. n .1 1 i.„£:u4.:ru„ allow them or any one else to tight n he could help it. For when they might discover the exact number of the enemy's ships and the proportion which their own bore to them, and, before engaging, make ade- quate preparations at their leisure, he would not be so foolish as to risk all through fear of disgrace. There was no dishonour in Athenians retreating before an enemy's fleet when circumstances required. But there would be the deepest dishonour under any circumstances in a defeat ; and the city would then not only incur disgrace, but would be in the utmost danger. Even if their preparations were complete and satisfactory, Athens after her recent disasters ought not to take the offensive, or in any case not without absolute necessity ; and now when they were not compelled, why should they go out of their way to court danger ? He urged them to put on board their wounded, and their infantr}', and all the stores which they had brought with them, but to leave behind the plunder obtained from the enemy's country, that their ships might be lighter; they should sail back to Samos, and there uniting all their forces, they might go on making attacks upon Miletus when oppor- Character of Phrv- tunity offered. His advice was fol- ""/"'*■• lowed. "And not on this occasion only, but quite as much afterwards, whenever Phryni- chus had to act, he showed himself to be a man of great sagacity''. — So the Athenians departed that very evening from Miletus without completing their victory, and the ' Or ' And not on this occasion onlj-, hut whenever Plir^michus had to act, he was acknowledged, afterwards if not at the time, to be ' &c. ^ Cp viii. 68 med.