[5] {koinon}, i.e. ****** demands upon the eneriges of all the citizens in common, as opposed to the personal character of war as conducted by a despot = "public," "patriotic," "national" war. Al. borne by the particular {polis} as member of a league, whether of states united for the time being in a {summakhia}, or permanently in a confederacy = a "federal" war.
[6] "Even if serving on a campaign in the enemy's country." [7] Or, "he has to exercise the utmost vigilance."[8] "With those who are 'absolutely governed,' not to say tyrannically ruled."[9] Or, "which the tyrant may accept in faith and go his way rejoicing."Wars doubtless there are,[10] wars waged by states and wars waged by autocratic monarchs against those whom they have forcibly enslaved, and in respect of these wars there is no hardship which any member of the states at war[11] can suffer but the tyrant will feel it also. That is to say, both must alike be under arms, keep guard, run risks; and whatever the pains of defeat may be, they are equally sustained by both. Up to this point there is no distinction. The "bitters" are equal. But when we come to estimate the "sweets" derivable from warfare between states,[12] the parallel ceases. The tyrant, if he shared the pains before, no longer shares the pleasures now. What happens when a state has gained the mastery in battle over her antagonist? It would be hard (I take it) to describe the joy of that occurrence: joy in the rout, joy in the pursuit, joy in the slaughter of their enemies; and in what language shall I describe the exultation of these warriors at their feats of arms? With what assumption they bind on their brows the glittering wreath of glory;[13] with what mirth and jollity congratulate themselves on having raised their city to newer heights of fame. Each several citizen claims to have shared in the plan of the campaign,[14] and to have slain the largest number. Indeed it would be hard to find where false embellishment will not creep in,[15] the number stated to be the slain exceeding that of those that actually perished. So truly glorious a thing it seems to them to have won a great victory.[16]
[10] Lit. "and further, wars there are, waged against forcibly- subjected populations whether by free states"--e.g. of Olynthus, "Hell." V. ii. 23, or Athens against her "subject allies" during the Pel. war--"or by despotic rules"--Jason of Pherae ("Hell." VI.) Al. "wars waged by free states against free states, and wars waged by tyrants against enslaved peoples."[11] Does {o en tais polesi} = "the citizen"? So some commentators; or (sub. {polemos}) = "the war among states" (see Hartman, op. cit.
p. 248)? in which case transl. "all the hardships involved in international war come home to the tyrant also." The same obscurity attaches to {oi en tais polesi} below (the commonly adopted emend. of the MS. {oi sunontes polesi} = "the citizens," or else = "international wars."[12] "The pleasures incidental to warfare between states"; al. "the sweets which citizens engaged in warfare as against rival states can count upon."[13]Reading{analambanousin},or,ifafterCobet,etc.,{lambanousin}, transl. "what brilliant honour, what bright credit they assume."[14] "To have played his part in counsel." See "Anab." passim, and M. Taine, "Essais de Critique," "Xenophon," p. 128.
[15] Lit. "they do not indulge in false additions, pretending to have put more enemies to death than actually fell."[16] Cf. "Hipparch," viii. 11; "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 25; "Thuc." i. 49.
But the tyrant, when he forebodes, or possibly perceives in actual fact, some opposition brewing, and puts the suspects[17] to the sword, knows he will not thereby promote the welfare of the state collectively. The cold clear fact is, he will have fewer subjects to rule over.[18] How can he show a cheerful countenance?[19] how magnify himself on his achievement? On the contrary, his desire is to lessen the proportions of what has taken place, as far as may be. He will apologise for what he does, even in the doing of it, letting it appear that what he has wrought at least was innocent;[20] so little does his conduct seem noble even to himself. And when those he dreaded are safely in their graves, he is not one whitmore confident of spirit, but still more on his guard than heretofore. That is the kind of war with which the tyrant is beset from day to day continually, as I do prove.[21]
[17] See Hold. (crit. app.); Hartman, op. cit. p. 260. [18] Cf. "Mem." I. ii. 38.
[19] Cf. "Anab." II. vi. 11; "Hell." VI. iv. 16.
[20] "Not of malice prepense."
[21] Or, "Such then, as I describe it, is the type of war," etc.
