Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/61

 70-72] ENERGY OF BRASIDAS 53 The two factions in Megara were both equally afraid to 71 receive him— the one lest he should 11, ■ , , m lie tries to enter Me- introduce the exiles and drive them gava, but neither fact ion out, the other lest the people, fearing is as yet willing to re- this very thing, should set upon them and ruin the city, which would then be distracted by civil war and at the same time beset by the Athenians. And so both parties determined to wait and see what would happen. For they both expected a battle to ensue be- tween the Athenians and the army which had come to the relief of the city, and when the victory was won the party whose friends had conquered could more safely join them. Brasidas, thus failing in his purpose, returned to the main body of his troops. At dawn of day the Boeotians appeared. Even before 72 they were summoned by Brasidas they The Boeotians arrive. had intended to relieve Megara ; for indecisive action of the danger came home to them; and Boeotian and Athenian their whole force was already collected '^"^^ '■^' at Plataea. When his messenger arrived they were more resolved than ever, and sent forward two thousand two hundred heavy-armed and six hundred horse, allowing the greater number to return. The entire army of Brasidas now amounted to six thousand hoplites. The Athenian hoplites were drawn up near Nisaea and the sea, and their light-armed troops were scattered over the plain, when the Boeotian cavalry came riding up, fell upon the light- armed, and drove them to the shore. The attack was unexpected, for in no former invasion had aid come to the Megarians from any quarter. The Athenian cavalry now rode forward and there was a long engagement, in which both parties claimed to have won a victory. The Athenians drove the general of the Boeotian cavalry and a few other horsemen up'' to the walls of Nisaea, and " Or, reading -npoaiKaaavTas and oinitliiig koX before d7ro«TtiiavT€s, 'who had ridden up to the walls.'