Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/80

72 THE BOEOTIAN AND ATHENIAN HERALDS [iV owing to this diversion, and partly to the pressure of the advancing Thcbans who broke their line, the rout of the Athenian army became general. Some fled to the sea at Dclium, others towards Oropus, others to Mount Parnes, or in any direction which gave hope of safety. The Boeotians, especially their cavalry and that of the Locrians which arrived when the rout had begun, pursued and slaughtered them. Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of the fugitives in their escape. On the next day those of them who had reached Oropus and Delium, which, though defeated, they still held, were conveyed home by sea. A garrison was left in the place. 97 The Boeotians, after raising a trophy, took up their own ^, A„ ■ dead, and despoiled those of the The Athenians are , refused pennission to enemy. They then left them under buiy their dead, on titt the care of a guard, and retiring to eround that they have t- . j i^ i ° .,, r ■, lanagra concerted an attack upon been guilty of sacrilege. _ " f- Delium. The herald of the Athenians, as he was on his way to ask for their dead, met a Boeotian herald, who turned him back, declaring that he wourd get no answer until he had returned himself. lie then came before the Athenians and delivered to them the message of the Boeotians, by whom they were accused of trans- gressing the universally recognised customs of Hellas. Those who invaded the territory of others ever abstained from touching the temples, whereas the Athenians had fortified Delium and were now dwelling there, and doing all that men usually do in an unconsecrated place. They were even drawing, for common use, the water which the Boeotians themselves were forbidden to use except as holy water for the sacrifices. They therefore on behalf both of the God and of themselves, invoking Apollo and all the divinities who had a share in the temple, bade the Athenians depart and carry off what belonged to them. 98 Upon the delivery of this message the Athenians sent to the Boeotians a herald of their own, who on their behalf