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72. At dawn of day the Boeotians appeared. Even before they were summoned by Brasidas they1 had intended to relieve Megara; for the danger came home to them; and 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. [2] 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 lightarmed, and drove them to the shore. The attack was unexpected, for in no former invasion had aid come to the Megarians from any quarter. [3] The Athenian cavalry now rode forward and there was a long engagement, in which both parties claimed to have won a victory. [4] The Athenians drove the general of the Boeotian cavalry and a few other horsemen up2, to the walls of Nisaea, and there slew them and took their arms. As they retained possession of the dead bodies, and only restored them under a flag of truce, they raised a trophy. Still in respect of the whole engagement neither side when they parted had a decided advantage. The Boeotians retired to their main body, and the Athenians to Nisaea.

1 The Boeotians arrive. Indecisive action of Boeotian and Athenian cavalry.

2 Or, reading προσελάσαντας and omitting καὶ before ἀποκτείι αντες, 'who had ridden up to the walls.'

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