Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/79

 94-96] BATTLE OF DELIUM 71 land again, so that in one battle you win l^ocotia and win at the same time for Attica a more complete freedom. Meet them in a spirit worthy of the first city in Hellas — of that Athens which we are all proud to call our country' ; in a spirit too worthy of our fathers, who in times past under Myronides at Oenophyta overcame these very Boeotians and conquered their land.' Thus spoke Hippocrates, and had gone over half the 96 army, not having had time for more, The right wtuc; of when the Boeotians (to whom Pagondas '^* Athenians over- . c „ • uju !•_ comes the Boeotians.and lust before engaging had been makmg ,, • ,, • l „ •' » o o ^ the light ivtng of the a second short exhortation) raised the Boeotians overcomes paean, and came down upon them '/«' Athenians. On the c i.u I -11 •TV, A iU • u i. J sudden appearance of from the hill. 1 he Athenians hastened r>, , some Boeotian cavalry forward, and the two armies met at the Athenians are finally a run. The extreme right and left of defeated. either army never engaged, for the same reason ; they were both prevented by water-courses. But the rest closed, and there was a fierce struggle and pushing of shield against shield. The left wing of the Boeotians as far as their centre was worsted by the Athenians, who pressed hard upon this part of the army, especially upon the Thespians. For the troops ranged at their side having given way they were surrounded and hemmed in ; and so the Thespians who perished were cut down fighting hand to hand. Some of the Athenians themselves in surrounding the enemy were thrown into confusion and unwittingly slew one another. On this side then the Boeotians were overcome, and fled to that part of the army which was still fighting; but the right wing, where the Thebans were stationed, overcame the Athenians, and forcing them back, at first step by step, were following hard upon them, when Pagondas, seeing that his left wing was in distress, sent two squadrons of horse unperceived round the hill. They suddenly appeared over the ridge ; the victorious wing of the Athenians, fancying that another army was attacking them, was struck with panic ; ami so at both points, partly VOL. II. G