This battle of Naupaktis is a clear instance of a victory won by tactical ability.
It was the direct result of training. It teaches us that most tactical ideas are as old as the hills—and that (as ever) the best man will win.
Much interest attaches to the addresses delivered after the fight.[1] On the Peloponnesian side, the situation was rightly grasped: 'Against their greater skill set your own greater valour, and against the defeat which so alarms you set the fact that you were unprepared. But now you have a larger fleet; this turns the balance in your favour; and you will fight close to a friendly shore under the protection of heavy armed troops. Victory is generally on the side of those who are more numerous and better equipped. Even our mistakes will be an additional advantage, because they will be a lesson to us.'
Except for the 'friendly shore' piece, this address might be used as a free translation of a portion of Captain Klado's articles in re the Russian Baltic Fleet, 1904-5.
Phormio's address gives us his tactical principles: If I can help it I shall not give battle in the gulf or even sail into it. For I know that where a few vessels which are skilfully handled and are better sailers engage with a larger number which are badly managed,
- ↑ Thucydides, II. 87, speech of Lacedæmonian admirals, c. 89, speech of Phormio. The translation in the text is (except for one or two technical phrases) that of Jowett, Thucydides, vol.i. pp.154-156.
