Zenobius 2.17
Truer than the events at the Sagra
English
Proverb
Truer than the events at the Sagra
Explanation
Menander, Sophron, and Alexis mention it. They say that the Epizephyrian Locrians were at war with the Crotonians, and sent to Sparta begging for an alliance; the Spartans answered that they would send no force, but would send the Dioscuri. The Locrians turned back, fought a battle, and conquered the Crotonians, the Dioscuri having joined in; and report of the victory came of itself to Sparta, no messenger having arrived. Afterwards messengers came and announced that the battle and victory had taken place on that very day. Since the rumour's report proved true, the proverb is applied to things very true. Sagra is a place where the Locrians won the battle.
Greek
Proverb
Ἀληθέστερα τῶν ἐπὶ Σάγρᾳ
Explanation
ταύτης μέμνηται Μένανδρος καὶ Σώφρων καὶ Ἄλεξις. Λέγουσι δὲ ὅτι οἱ Λοκροὶ οἱ Ἐπιζεφύριοι πόλεμον ἔσχον πρὸς Κροτωνιάτας καὶ ἔπεμψαν εἰς Λακεδαίμονα συμμαχίας δεόμενοι· οἱ δὲ ἀπεκρίναντο αὐτοῖς, ὅτι δύναμιν μὲν οὐ δώσουσι, τοὺς δὲ Διοςκούρους αὐτοῖς ἐπιπέμψουσιν. Ἀναστρέψαντες δὲ οἱ Λοκροὶ μάχης γενομένης ἐνίκησαν τοὺς Κροτωνιάτας, τῶν Διοςκούρων συλλαβομένων· τὴν δὲ νίκην ἐκ τοῦ αὐτομάτου φήμη τις ἤνεγκεν εἰς τὴν Λακεδαίμονα, μηδενὸς ἀφιγμένου ἀγγέλου. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἐλθόντες τινὲς ἀπήγγειλαν τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ γεγενῆσθαι τὴν μάχην καὶ τὴν νίκην. Ἐπειδὴ οὖν τὰ παρὰ τῆς φήμης ἀγγελθέντα ὑπῆρχον ἀληθῆ, ἡ παροιμία εἴρηται ἐπὶ τῶν πάνυ ἀληθῶν. Σάγρα δ’ ἔστι τόπος, ἐν ᾧ τὴν μάχην ἐνίκησαν οἱ Λοκροί.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0098.tlg001.1st1K-grc1:2.17