But if it shall be objected, that by these writers the word δουλος,
_doulos_, and its derivatives are used in a figurative sense, since
these writers all exhibit minds deeply excited, or used all language
with poetic license; we think such objection unfounded, so far as it
alleges that they have used this word in an unusual manner, or have
attributed to it any other sense than was attributed to it by all the
Greeks.
Nevertheless, we propose now to present this word as it was used by
Thucydides, Herodotus, and Xenophon, against whose use no cavil can be
made; and we now fear not to assert that their use of this word will be
in the most strict accordance with the authors already examined.
Plutarch, who was somewhat disposed to criticize other authors, speaking
of Thucydides, expresses the idea that he wrote in such a manner that
the reader saw the picture of what he represented. (See his _De Gloria
Atheniensium_.) Plutarch was then clearly of opinion that the language
of Thucydides was most appropriately accurate.
We here premise, that we shall not presume to offer our own translation
to the extract we propose to make from Thucydides. From the many that
have been made, we have selected that of the Rev. Dr. William Smith, of
the cathedral of Chester, England, and concerning whom it may be proper
to say a word. He translated Longinus with great accuracy and beauty.
The Weekly Miscellany of Dec. 8th, 1739, says of this translation, “It
justly deserves the notice and thanks of the public.” Father Phillips
says, 1756, “A late English translation of the Greek critic, by Mr.
Smith, is a credit to the author, and reflects lustre on Longinus
himself.” Laudits of this work will fill a volume. In 1753 he translated
Thucydides, and was directly created a doctor of divinity,—and we find
in his epitaph now in the cathedral of Chester, “as a scholar his
reputation is perpetuated by his valuable publications, particularly his
correct and eloquent translations of Longinus, Thucydides, and
Xenophon.” We have been thus minute that it may be known with what
spirit we prepare this work.
THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR, _by Thucydides_.
Book i. chap. 8. Οἵ τε ἥσσους ὑπέμενον τὴν τῶν κρεισσόνων _δουλείαν_.
“And the great, who had all needful supplies at hand, reduced less
powerful cities into their own _subjection_.”
At that age of the world, when one city was conquered by another, all
were reduced to slavery, unless by the especial favour of the conqueror.
In this instance it would have been more literal to our present idiom to
have used the term _slavery_, instead of _subjection_; because now there
has grown up a wide distinction between the mere subjugating and
enslaving.
Chap. 16. Κῦρος καὶ ἡ Περσικὴ βασιλεια, Κροῖσον καθελοῦσα, καὶ ὅσα ἐντὸς
Ἅλυος ποταμοῦ πρὸς θάλασσαν, ἐπεστράτευσε, καὶ τὰς ἐν τῇ ἠπείρω πόλεις
ἐδούλωσε.
“For Cyrus, after he had completed the conquest of Crœsus, and all the
country which lieth between the river Halys and the sea, invaded them,
and enslaved their towns upon the continent.”
Chap. 18. Δεκάτω δὲ ἔτει μετ’ αὐτην αὖθις ὁ βάρβαρος τῷ μεγάλω στόλῳ ἐπὶ
τὴν Ἑλλάδα _δουλωσόμενος_ ἦλθε.
“And in the tenth year after that, the barbarian, with a vast armament,
invaded Greece in order to _enslave_ it.”
Chap. 34. Οὐ γὰρ ἐπὶ τῷ _δοῦλοι_, ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ τῷ ὅμοιοι τοῖς λειπομένοις
εἶναι, ἐκπέμπονται.
“They are not sent out to be the _slaves_, but to be the equals of those
who remain behind.”
Chap. 55. Καὶ τῶν Κερκυραίων ὀκτακοσίους μὲν, οἵ ἦσαν _δοῦλοι_,
ἀπέδοντο.
“Eight hundred of their Corcyrean prisoners, who were _slaves_, they
sold at public sale.”
Chap. 68. Νῦν δὲ τί δεῖ μακρηγορεῖν, ὧν τοὺς μὲν _δεδουλωμένους_ ὁπᾶτε.
“But now, what need can there be of multiplying words, when some you
already see _enslaved_.”
Chap. 69. Ἐς τόδε τε ἀεὶ ἀποστεροῦντες οὐ μόνον τοὺς ὑπ’ ἐκείνων
δεδουλωμένους ἐλευθερίας, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς ὑμετέρους ἤδη ξυμμάχους. οὐ γὰρ
ὁ _δουλωσάμενος_ ἀλλ’ ὁ δυνάμενος μὲν παῦσαι, περιορῶν δὲ, ἀληθέστερον
αὐτὸ δρᾷ.
“Ever since you have connived at liberty overthrown, not only in
whatever communities they have proceeded to enslave, but now where even
your own confederates are concerned. For not to the men who rivet on the
chains of _slavery_, but to such as, though able, yet neglect to prevent
it, ought the sad event with truth to be imputed.”
Chap. 74. Τῶν ἄλλων ἤδη μέχρι ἡμῶν _δουλευόντων_, &c.
“And every state already _enslaved_,” &c.
Chap. 81. Οὕτως εἰκὸς, Ἀθηναίους φρονήματι, μήτε τῇ γῇ _δουλεῦσαι_, μήτε
ὥσπερ ἀπείρους καταπλαγῆναι τῷ πολέμῳ.
“It is by no means consistent with the spirit of Athenians to be
_slaves_ to their soil, or, like unpractised soldiers, to shudder at
war.”
Chap. 98. Πρώτη τε αὕτη πόλις ξυμμαχὶς παρὰ τὸ καθεστηκὸς _ἐδουλώθη_.
“This was the first confederate state which was _enslaved_ to gratify
their aspiring ambition.”
Chap. 101. Πλεῖστοι δὲ τῶν Εἱλώτων ἐγένοντο οἱ τῶν παλαιῶν Μεσσηνίων
τότε _δουλωθέντων_ ἀπόγονοι· ᾗ καὶ Μεσσήνιοι ἐκλήθησαν οἱ πάντες.
“Most Of the Helots were descendants of the ancient Messenians, then
reduced to _slavery_, and on this account all of them in general were
called Messenians.”
Chap. 103. Ἤν δέ τις ἁλίσκηται, τοῦ λαβόντος εἶναι _δοῦλον_.
“What if any one of them be ever found there, he should be made the
_slave_ of whoever apprehended him.”
Chap. 121. Εἰ οἱ μὲν εκείνων ξύμμαχοι ἐπί _δουλεία_ τῇ αὐτῶν φέροντες
οὐκ ἀπεροῦσιν.
“Which rivet _slavery_ on themselves,” &c.
Chap. 122. Καὶ τὴν ἧσσαν, εἰ καὶ δεινόν τῷ ἀκοῦσαι, ἴστω οὐκ ἄλλο τι
φέρουσαν ἣ ἄντικρυς _δουλείαν_.
“Such a triumph, how grating soever the bare mention of it may be to any
of your ears, yet be it known, can and is nothing else but plain and
open _slavery_.”
Chap. 124. Καὶ τοὺς νῦν _δεδουλωμένους_ Ἕλληνας, ἐλευθερώσωμεν.
“And shall immediately recover liberty for those Grecians who are
already _enslaved_.”
Chap. 138. Καὶ τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ ἐλπίδα, ἣν ὑπετίθει αὐτῷ _δουλώσειν_.
“As the hope be suggested to him of _enslaving_ Greece.”
Chap. 141. Τὴν γὰρ αὐτὴν δύναται _δούλωσιν_.
“The very same tendency to make them _slaves_.”
Book ii. chap. 61. _Δουλοῖ_ γὰρ φρόνημα τὸ αἰφνίδιον καὶ ἀπροσδοκητον,
καὶ τὸ πλείστω παραλόγῳ ξυμβαῖνον.
“Accidents sudden and unforeseen, and so opposite to that event you
might reasonably have expected, _enslave_ the mind.”
Chap. 63. Μηδὲ νομίσαι περὶ ἑνὸς μόνου, _δουλειας_ ἀντ’ ἐλευθερίας.
“Think not you have only one point at stake, the alternative of
_slavery_ instead of freedom.”
Idem. Οὐδὲ ἐν ἀρχούσῃ πόλει ξυμφέρει, ἀλλ’ ἐν ὑπηκόῳ ἀσφαλῶς
_δουλεύειν_.
“Slavery is never to be endured by a state that once hath governed. Such
a situation can be tolerable only to that which has ever been
dependent.”
Chap. 71. Στρατεῦσαί τε μηδένα ποτὲ ἀδίκως επ’ αὐτοὺς, μηδ’ ἐπὶ
_δουλείᾳ_.
“That no one should unjustly make war on them, or endeavour to _enslave_
them.”
Idem. Ἐπὶ _δουλείᾳ_ τῇ ἡμετέρα ἥκετε.
“Are come hither to _enslave_ us,” &c.
Chap. 78. Καὶ ἄλλος οὐδεὶς ἦν τῷ τείχει, οὔτε _δοῦλος_, οὔτε ἐλεύθερος.
“Nor was there any other portion within the wall, either _slave_ or
free.”
Book iii. chap. 10. Ξύμμαχοι μέντοι ἐγενόμεθα οὐκ ἐπὶ _καταδουλώσει_ τῶν
Ἑλλήνων Ἀθηναίοις.
“We made an alliance with the Athenians—not to _enslave_ the rest of
Greece to the Athenians.”
Idem. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ ἑωρῶμεν αὐτοὺς τὴν μὲν τοῦ Μήδου ἔχθραν ἀνιέντας, τὴν δὲ
τῶν ξυμμάχων _δούλωσιν_ ἐπαγομένους, οὐκ ἀδεεῖς ἕτι ἦμεν. ἀδύνατοι δὲ
ὄντες καθ’ ἕν γενόμενοι, διά πολυψηφίαν ἀμύνασθαι, οἱ ξύμμαχοι
_ἐδουλώθησαν_, πλὴν ἡμῶν καὶ Χίων.
“But when we perceived that they relaxed in their zeal against the Mede,
and were grown earnest in riveting _slavery_ upon allies, we then began
to be alarmed. It was impossible, where so many parties were to be
consulted, to unite together in one body of defence; and thus all the
allies fell into _slavery_ except ourselves and the Chians.”
Chap. 38. _Δοῦλοι_ ὄντες τῶν ἀεὶ ἀτόπων, ὑπερόπται δὲ τῶν εἰωθότων.
“Slaves as you are to whatever trifles happen always to be in vogue, and
looking down with contempt on tried and experienced methods.”
Chap. 56. Ἐν ἐκείνω δὲ τῷ καιρῷ, ὅτε πᾶσι _δουλείαν_ ἐπέφερεν ὁ
βἁρβαρος, οἵδε μετ’ αὐτου ἦσαν.
“But at that season, when the barbarians struck at _enslaving_ us all,
these Thebans were then the barbarians’ coadjutors.”
Chap. 58. Πρὸς δὲ, καὶ γῆν, ἐν ᾗ ἠλευθερώθησαν οἱ Ἕλληνες, δουλώσετε;
“Will you further _enslave_ the spot on which the Grecians earned their
liberty?”
Chap. 63. Τοὺς μὲν, _καταδουλουμένους_ τὴν Ἑλλάδα, τοὺς δὲ,
ἐλευθεροῦντας.
“The Athenians truly have _enslaved_ your country; and the others would
regain its freedom.”
Chap. 64. Ἀπελείπετε γὰρ αὐτὴν, καὶ παραβὰντες, _ξυγκατεδουλοῦσθε_
μᾶλλον Αἰγινήτας, καὶ ἄλλους τινὰς τῶν ξυνομοσάντων, ἤ διεκωλύετε.
“You renounced, you violated first the oaths, which rather concurred to
_enslave_ the Æginetæ and some other people of the same association,
than endeavoured to prevent it.”
Chap. 70. Ὑπάγουσιν αὐτον οὗτοι οἱ ἄνδρες εἰς δίκην, λέγοντες Ἀθηναίοις
τὴν Κέρκυραν _καταδουλοῦν_.
“And therefore against him the accomplices prefer an accusation, as
plotting how to subject Corcyra to Athenian _slavery_.”
Chap. 71. Δράσαντες δὲ τοῦτο, καὶ ξυγκαλέσαντες Κερκυραίους, εἶπον ὅτι
ταῦτα καὶ βέλτιστα εἴη, καὶ ἥκιστ’ ἄν _δουλωθεῖεν_ ὑπ’ Ἀθηναίων.
“After this bold assassination, they summoned the Corcyreans to assemble
immediately, where they justified their proceedings as most highly for
the public good, and the only expedient of preventing Athenian
_slavery_.”
Chap. 73. Τῇ δ’ ὑστεραίᾳ ἠκροβολίσαντό τε ὀλίγα, καὶ ἐς τοὺς ἀγροὺς
περιέπεμπον ἀμφότεροι, τοὺς _δούλους_ παρακαλοῦντες τε, καὶ ἐλευθερίαν
ὑπισχνούμενοι. καὶ τῷ μὲν δήμῳ τῶν οἰκετῶν τὸ πλῆθος παρεγένετο
ξύμμαχον, τοῖς δ’ ἐτέροις ἐκ τῆς ἠπείρου ἐπίκουροι ὀκτακόσιοι.
“The day following they skirmished a little with their missive weapons,
and both parties sent out detachments into the field to invite
concurrence of the slaves, upon a promise of their freedom. A majority
of the slaves came in to the assistance of the people, and the other
party got eight hundred auxiliaries from the continent.”
It will be noticed that οἰκετῶν in this passage is also translated
_slave_; but the οἰκετος was a slave whose condition was above the mere
δοῦλος. In English the word will imply a _house-slave_. The οἰκετος
enjoyed a greater portion of his master’s confidence, and consequently
was under a less rigorous government. The truth of what Thucydides
states is evident to those acquainted with the character: the higher
class of slaves ever take sides with their masters in such cases. It is
this word St. Paul uses, by which he describes the character of Onesimus
in his letter to Philemon. He had acted as Paul’s house-slave at Rome.
Book iv. chap. 86. Ἀλλὰ τοὐναντίον, ὑμῖν _δεδουλωμένοις_ ὑπὸ Ἀθηνανίων
ξυμμαχήσοντες.
“But, on the contrary, are to act in support of you, who are oppressed
with Athenian _bondage_.”
Idem. Ὀυδὲ ἀσαφῆ, τὴν ἐλευθερίαν νομίζω ἐπιφέρειν, εἰ, τὸ πάτριον
παρεὶς, τὸ πλέον τοῖς ὀλίγοις, ἤ τὸ ἔλασσον τοῖς πᾶσι _δουλώσαιμι_.
“I am convinced that liberty can never be re-established by me, if,
disregarding ancient constitutions, I _enslave_ the multitude to the
few, or the few to the crowd.”
Chap. 87. Οἱ δὲ Ἕλληνες ἵνα μὴ κωλύωνται ὑφ’ ὑμῶν _δουλείας_
ἀπαλλαγῆναι.
“For the sake of the Grecians, that they may not be obstructed by you in
their deliverance from _bondage_.”
Chap. 92. Καὶ πρὸς τούτοις γε δὴ, οὅ καὶ μὴ τοὺς ἐγγὺς, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοὺς
ἄπωθεν πειρῶνται _δουλοῦσθαι_, πῶς οὐ χρὴ καὶ ἐτὶ τὸ ἔσχατον ἀγῶνος
ἐλθεῖν;
“Let me add further, that when men are bent on _enslaving_, not
neighbours only, but such people as are more remote, how can it be
judged improper to encounter such, so long as we can find ground whereon
to stand?”
Idem. Οἷς δὲ γενναῖον, τήν τε αὑτῶν αἰεὶ ἐλευθεροῦν μάχῃ, καὶ τὴν ἄλλων
μὴ _δουλοῦσθαι_ ἀδίκως, ἀναγώνιστοι ἀπ’ αὐτων οὐκ ἀπίασι.
“But from men who were born to vindicate their own country for ever by
the _dint_ of arms, and never unjustly to _enslave_ another, that from
such men they shall not get away without that struggle which honour
enjoins.”
Chap. 114. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐπὶ _δουλείᾳ_.
“They had no _enslaving_ views.”
Chap. 118. Μήτε ἐλεύθερον, μήτε _δοῦλον_.
“Whether they be free men or _slaves_.”
Book v. chap. 9. Καὶ τῇδε ὑμῖν τῇ ἡμέρα, ἢ ἀγαθοῖς γενομένοις ἐλευθερίαν
τε ὑπαρχειν, καὶ Λαχεδαιμονίων ξυμμάχοις κεκλῆσθαι, ἢ Ἀθηναίων τε
_δούλοις_, ἢ τὰ ἄριστα ἄνευ _ἀνδραποδισμοῦ_ ἢ θανατώσεως πράξητε, καὶ
_δουλείαν_ χαλεπωτέραν, ἢ πρὶν εἴχετε.
“That this very day, if you behave with valour, you are henceforth free,
and will gain the honourable title of Lacedæmonian allies; otherwise you
must continue to be the _slaves_ of Athenians, where the best that can
befall you, if neither sold for _slaves_ nor put to death as rebels,
will be a heavier yoke of tyranny than you ever yet have felt, while the
liberty of Greece must by you for ever be obstructed.”
Chap. 23. Ἤν δὲ ἡ _δουλεία_ ἐπανίστηται, ἐπικουρεῖν Ἀθηναίους
Λακεδαιμονίοις παντὶ σθένει, κατὰ τὸ δυνατόν.
“That if there happen any insurrection among the _Helots_, the Athenians
march to the succour of the Lacedæmonians with their whole strength, to
the full extent of their power.”
In this instance the translator has substituted “_Helots_” for _slaves_,
because the Helots were the slaves at Sparta, and the usual term by
which slaves were designated in Lacedæmonia, _Helot_ and δουλος, were
synonymous terms there.
Chap. 27. Ὡς χρὴ, ἐπειδὴ Λακεδαιμόνιοι οὐκ ἐπ’ ἀγαθῷ, ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ
_καταδουλώσει_ τῆς Πελοποννήσου.
“That since the Lacedæmonians, not in order to serve, but to _enslave_
Peloponnesus,” &c.
Chap. 29. Μὴ μετὰ Ἀθηναίων σφᾶς βούλωνται Λακεδαιμόνιοι _δουλώσασθαι_.
“That the Lacedæmonians might strike up a bargain with the Athenians to
_enslave_ other states.”
Chap. 69. Καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀρχῆς ἅμα καὶ _δουλείας_.
“Either such on _slavery_.”
Chap. 86. Περιγιγνομένοις μὲν τῷ δικαίῳ, καὶ δι’ αὐτο μὴ ἐνδοῦσι,
πόλεμον ἡμῖν φέρουσαν, πεισθεῖσι δὲ, _δουλείαν_.
“Since if, superior in debate, we for that reason refuse submission, our
portion must be war and if we allow your plea, from that moment we
become your _slaves_.”
Chap. 92. Καὶ πῶς χρήσιμον ἂν ξυμβαίη ἡμίν _δουλεῦσαι_, ὥσπερ καὶ ὑμῖν
ἄρξαι;
“And how can it turn as beneficial for us to become your _slaves_ as it
will be for you to be our masters?”
Chap. 100. Ἤπου ἄρα, εἰ τοσαύτην γε ὑμεῖς τε, μὴ παυσθῆναι ἀρχῆς, καὶ οἱ
_δουλεύοντες_ ἤδη, ἀπαλλαγῆναι, τὴν παρακινδύνευσιν ποιοῦνται, ἡμῖν γε,
τοῖς ἔτι ἐλευθέροις, πολλὴ κακότης καὶ δειλία, μὴ πᾶν πρὸ τοῦ δουλεῦσαι
ἐπεξελθεῖν.
“If this be, and if you, ye Athenians, can readily embark in so many
perils to prevent the desolation of your empire; if states, by you
_enslaved_, can do as much to throw off your yoke, must it not be
wretchedly base and cowardly in us, who yet are free, to leave any
method, even to the last extremity, untried of averting _slavery_.”
Book vi. chap. 20. Ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ παρόντι ἃ γιγνώσκω σημανῶ. ἐπὶ γὰρ πόλεις,
ὡς ἐγὼ ἀκοη αἰσθάνομαι, μέλλομεν ἰέναι μεγάλας, καὶ οὔθ’ ὑπηκόους
ἀλλήλων, οὔτε δεομένας μεταβολῆς, ᾗ ἂν ἐκ βιαίου τὶς _δουλείας_ ἄσμενος
ἐς ῥᾴω μετάστασιν χωροίη.
“According to the last information I have been able to procure, we are
now going to invade a number of powerful cities; cities independent of
one another, nor standing in need of public revolutions; which people,
who cringe under the yoke of _slavery_, might easily embrace, in order
to render their condition more supportable.”
Chap. 27. Μηνύειν ἀδεῶς τὸν βουλόμενον καὶ ἀστῶν καὶ ξένων καὶ _δούλων_.
“He should boldly inform the public of it, whether he were a citizen, or
a foreigner, or a _slave_.”
Chap. 76. _Δουλωσαμένους_ ἔχειν.
“They hold fast riveted the yoke of _slavery_.”
Idem. _Καταδουλώσεως_. “By _enslaving_,” &c.
Chap. 77. Ὡς _ἐδουλώθησαν_. “Who will be _slaves_,” &c.
Chap. 80. _Δουλείαν_ “_Slave_,” &c.
Chap. 82. Οὕς ξυγγενεῖς φασὶν ὄντας ἡμᾶς Συρακούσιοι _δεδουλῶσθαι_.
“Whom the Syracusans say we thought proper to _enslave_, though
connected with us by ties of blood.”
Idem. _Δουλείαν_ δὲ αὐτοί τε ἐβούλοντο ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ ἐπενεγκεῖν.
“They made _slavery_ their choice, and in the same miserable fate would
have been glad to envelop us.”
Chap. 83. Καὶ οὐ _δουλωσόμενοι_, μὴ παθεῖν δὲ μᾶλλον τοῦτο κωλύσοντες.
“So far from the view of _enslaving_ them to ourselves, that we are
solely intent on preserving them from being enslaved by others.”
Chap. 84. Ὅν ἀλόγως ἡμᾶς φησὶ _δουλωσαμένους_.
“Whom, after unjustly _enslaving_,” &c.
Chap. 88. Πλὴν καθόσον εἰ τὴν Σικελίαν ᾤοντο αὐτους _δουλώσεσθαι_.
“Save only the ambition they showed of _enslaving_ Sicily.”
Book vii. chap. 75. Μέγιστον γὰρ δὴ το διάφορον τοῦτο τῷ Ἑλληνικῷ
στρατεύματι ἐγένετο, οἷς ἀντι μὲν τοῦ ἄλλους _δουλωσομένους_ ἥκειν.
“For a most cruel turn of fortune this really proved to a Grecian army;
who, coming hither to _enslave_ others, were departing now with the sad
alternative of fearing to be made slaves themselves.”
Book viii. chap. 15. Τάς τε τῶν Χίων ἑπτὰ ναῦς, αἳ αὐτοῖς ξυνεπολιόρκουν
τὰς ἐν τῷ Πειραιῷ, ἀπαγαγόντες, τοὺς μὲν _δούλους_ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἠλευθέρωσαν,
τοὺς δ’ ἐλευθέρους κατέδησαν.
“Having, moreover, fetched off the seven vessels belonging to the
Chians, which assisted in forming the blockade at Piræus, they set at
liberty the _slaves_ who were on board them, and threw all the freemen
into prison.”
Chap. 43. Ἐνῆν γὰρ καὶ νήσους ἁπάσας πάλιν _δουλεύειν_.
“For thus he might be enabled once more to _enslave_ all the islands.”
Chap. 48. _Δουλεύειν_ μᾶλλον, &c.
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