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61. 'Soldiers of Athens and of our allies, we have all the same interest in the coming struggle1;2 every one of us as well as of our enemies will now have to fight for his life and for his country, and if only we can win in the impending sea-fight, every one may see his native city and his own home once more. [2] But we must not be faint-hearted, nor behave as if we were mere novices in the art of war, who when defeated in their first battle are full of cowardly apprehensions and continually retain the impress of their disaster. [3] You, Athenians, have had great military experience; and you, allies, are always fighting at our side. Remember the sudden turns of war; let your hope be that fortune herself may yet come over to us; and prepare to retrieve your defeat in a manner worthy of the greatness of your own army which you see before you3

1 Cp. 6.68 init.

2 If we win we nay see our homes once more. We are not mere tyros, and ought not to be cast down by reverses.

3 Cp. 6.68 init.; 7.77 med.

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hide References (23 total)
  • Commentary references to this page (12):
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3, 3.45
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 6, 6.10
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 6, 6.11
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 6, 6.78
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 7, 7.4
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 7, 7.68
    • T. G. Tucker, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 8, 8.56
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER XVII
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER XVIII
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.115
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.82
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, Introduction
  • Cross-references to this page (3):
  • Cross-references in notes to this page (2):
    • Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thuc. 6.68
    • Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thuc. 7.77
  • Cross-references in notes from this page (2):
    • Thucydides, Histories, 6.68
    • Thucydides, Histories, 7.77
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries to this page (4):
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