book1-6


Then fortune, too, contributed the following incident to Alexius' success. A detachment of the Turkish allies happened upon Alexius, the Great Domestic, and on hearing that he had restored the battle, and asking where the enemy was, they accompanied him, my father, to a little hill, and when my father pointed out the army, they looked down upon it from an observation tower, as it were. And this was the appearance of Bryennius' army; the men were all mixed up anyhow, the lines had not yet been re-formed, and, as if they had already carried off the victory, they were acting carelessly and thought themselves out of danger. And they had slackened off chiefly because after the initial rout of our men, my father's contingent of Franks had gone over to Bryennius. For when the Franks dismounted from their horses and [18] offered their right hands to Bryennius, according to their ancestral custom in giving pledges, men came running up towards them from all sides to see what was happening. For like a trumpet-blast the rumour had resounded throughout the army that the Franks had joined them and deserted their Commander-in-Chief, Alexius. The officers with my father, and the newly-arrived Turks, duly noted this state of confusion, and as a result they divided their forces into three parties and ordered two to remain in ambush somewhere on the spot, and the third they commanded to advance against the foe. The whole of this plan was due to Alexius.

このとき、幸運がアレクシオスの成功を助けた。トルコからの援軍がこのとき来着したのである。そして、アレクシオスが軍を立て直して再び戦うところであると聞くと、敵はどこにいるのかと聞き、父と共に戦うこととなった。そして小高い丘に進むと、ちょうど物見の塔から見下ろすような形で、敵を見下ろす位置に出た。この時のブリュエン二オスの軍はごちゃ混ぜの状態で、まだ戦列も整えられていなかった。そして、すでに勝利を得て危険から脱した状態にあるかの如く振舞っていた。兵士の多数は初戦に大勝し、アレクシオスの下にいたフランクの傭兵も寝返ったので油断していたのだ。フランク人が下馬して、右手をブリュエン二オスに差し出し、先祖から続く作法に則って誓いを立てていたので、四方から何が起こっているのかを見るために兵士たちが集まっているところであった。トランペットの音のようにフランク人がアレクシオスを見限って降伏したという噂が広まった。父の幕僚と新来のトルコ軍はこの状況をつぶさに見て取ると、全体を三つに分け、二つには待ち伏せをするように命じて、残りの一つで敵に向かって進撃することにした。この作戦はアレクシオスがたてた。

The Turks did not attack all together, drawn up regularly into phalanx, but separately and in small groups, standing some distance apart from each other; then he ordered each squadron to attack, charging the enemy with their horses, and to let loose heavy showers of darts. Following upon the Turks came my father Alexius, the author of this strategy, with as many of his scattered men as the occasion warranted. Next, one of the "Immortals" with Alexius, a hot-headed, venturesome fellow, spurred on his horse, and out-riding the others, dashed at full gallop straight at Bryennius, and thrust his spear with great violence against the latter's breast. Bryennius for his part whipped out his sword quickly from its sheath, and before the spear could be driven home, he cut it in two, and struck his adversary on the collar bone, and bringing down the blow with the whole power of his arm, cut away the man's whole arm, breastplate included.

トルコ人は纏まって攻撃を行わない。ファランクスの様に隊列は組むが、小さな隊に別れてそれぞれ適度な距離をとって戦う。アレクシオスはこの小さく別れた小隊に敵に突撃し、射撃を浴びせるように命じた。このトルコ人の攻撃に引き続いて、この作戦の発案者であるアレクシオスが散り散りになった兵を集められるだけ集めて、攻撃をしかけた。アレクシオスの手についた不死部隊の、短期で向う見ずな一人が抜け駆けし、全速力でブリュエン二オスに向かっていった。槍を渾身の力でブリュエンニオスの胸に向かって突き出したが、ブリュエン二オスは素早く剣を鞘から引き抜き、槍が届く前に槍をまっぷたつにし、首の骨を剣で強く打った、そして渾身の力で、その男の腕を鎧ごと叩き切った。

The Turks, too, one group following up another, overshadowed the army with their showers of darts. Bryennius' men were naturally taken aback by the sudden attack, yet they collected themselves, formed themselves into line, and sustained the shock of the battle, mutually exhorting each other to play the man. The Turks, however, and my father, held their ground for a short time against the enemy, and then planned to retire in regular order to a little distance, in order to lure on the enemy, and draw them by guile to the ambuscade. When they had reached the first ambush, they wheeled round, and met the enemy face to face. Forthwith, at a given signal, those in ambush rode through them like swarms of wasps, from various directions, and with their loud war-cries, and shouts, and incessant shooting, not only filled the ears of Bryennius' men with a terrible din, but also utterly obscured their sight by showering arrows upon them from all sides. Hereupon, as the army of Bryennius could no longer [19] put up any resistance (for by now all, both men and horses, were sorely wounded), they turned their standard to retreat, and offered their backs as a target to their foes. But Bryennius himself, although very weary from fighting, shewed his courage and mettle. For at one minute, he would turn to right or left to strike a pursuer, and at the next, carefully and cleverly arrange the details of the retreat. He was assisted by his brother on the one side, and his son on the other, and by their heroic defence on that occasion they seemed to the enemy miraculous.

トルコ軍は次々と矢を浴びせかけた。ブリュエン二オス側は奇襲に慌てて退いたが、兵を結集して、戦列を組んでこの攻撃を支えようとした。両軍に疲れが見え始めたころ、トルコ軍とアレクシオスは少し戦って、隊列を保ったままわずかに後退しようとした。敵を誘い込み、待ち伏せにするためであった。最初の待ち伏せ地点にたどり着いた時、トルコ軍とアレクシオスは反転して敵と向かい合った。そして、合図を送ると、雀蜂が獲物に群がるように四方からときの声を上げて、絶え間ない矢を浴びせて襲いかかった。恐ろしい音がブリュエン二オス軍の耳をついただけでなく、矢の雨が彼らの視界を覆い尽くした。ここに至り、ブリュエン二オスの兵はもはや戦う力が残っていなかった。(人も馬も傷を負わないものがない有様であった。)そこで、部隊は後退に移り、後衛に敵に当たるよう命令が下った。しかし、ブリュエン二オスその人は戦いで疲れはてていたが勇気を示した。右に左に追っ手を打ち払い、注意深く、そして如才無く撤退の手筈を整えた。彼は弟と息子に両側を護られていたが、彼らの英雄的な戦いぶりは敵の目にも奇跡のように映った。

As Bryennius' horse was now very weary, and unable either to flee or pursue (in fact, it was pretty well at death's door from continuous coursing), he halted it, and, like some brave athlete, stood ready for the grip, and called a challenge to two highborn Turks. One of these struck at him with his spear, but was not quick enough to give him a heavy blow before receiving a heavier one himself from Bryennius' right hand. For Bryennius with his sword succeeded in cutting off the man's hand, which rolled to the ground, spear and all. The second man leapt off his own horse, and like a panther, darted on to that of Bryennius, and planted himself on its flank, and clung tightly to it, and tried to get on its back. Bryennius kept twisting round like an animal in his endeavours to stab him with his sword. However, he did not succeed, for the Turk behind his back escaped all the blows by bending aside. Therefore, when his right hand was exhausted from only encountering emptiness, and the athlete's strength gave out, he surrendered there and then to the whole body of the enemy.

ブリュエン二オスの馬は酷く疲弊していたので前にも後ろにも進めなかった、(実際、死の扉を叩くところであった)そこで彼は馬を止め、手綱を握り締めて、勇敢な競技者のように高貴な生まれの二人のトルコ人に勝負を呼びかけた。そのうちの一人がブリュエン二オスに槍で襲いかかったが、ブリュエン二オスに一撃を加える程の速さがなかったので、ブリュエン二オスの右腕からの重い一撃を先に食らってしまった。続いて、ブリュエン二オスはそのトルコ人の腕を切り落とし、腕が地面にころがり落ちた。二人目の男は自分の馬からブリュエンニオスの馬に飛び移った。そして馬の横腹にしっかりとしがみつくと、背の上に這い上がろうとした。ブリュエン二オスは動物のように体を捩り、剣でトルコ人を突き刺そうとしたが、背中に回り込んだトルコ人が身を屈して避けたので、果たせなかった。空振りを続けたたのちに彼の右腕が限界を迎えると、ついに彼は降伏し、身柄は敵の手に委ねられることとなった。

So the soldiers-seized him. and with a feeling of haying won great glory , led him away to Alexius Comnenus, who happened to be standing not, far from the spot where Bryennius was captured, and was busy drawing up his own men, and the Turks, into line, and inciting them to battle. News of Bryennius' capture had already been brought by heralds, and then the man himself was placed before the General, and a terrifying object he certainly was, both when fighting, and when captured. And now, having secured Bryennius in this manner, Alexius Comnenus sent him away as the prize of his spear .to the. Emperor Botaniates, without doing any injury whatsoever to his eyes. For it was not the nature of Alexius to proceed to extremities against his opponents after their capture as he considered that being captured was in itself sufficient punishment, but after their capture he treated them with clemency, friendliness and [20] generosity. This clemency he now displayed towards Bryennius, for after his capture he accompanied him a fair distance, and when they reached the place called ... he said to him (for he was anxious to relieve the man's despondency and restore hope in him); "Let us get off our horses and sit down and rest awhile." But Bryennius, in fear of his life resembled a maniac, and was by no means in need of rest, for how should a man be who has lost all hope of life? And yet he immediately complied with the General's wish, for a slave readily submits to every command, more especially if he is a prisoner of war. When the two leaders had dismounted, Alexius at once lay down on some green grass, as if on a couch, while Bryennius sat further off, and rested his head on the roots of a tall oak. My father slept, but "gentle sleep," as it is called in sweet poetry, did not visit the other.

そして、兵士たちが栄光を高らかに歌い上げるような心持ちでブリュエン二オスをアレクシオス・コムネノスの前に引っ立てて来たとき、彼は偶然にもブリュエン二オスが捕まった場所の近くで、彼の部隊とトルコ人に隊列を組ませて、戦いに投入しようとしていたところであった。ブリュエン二オス捕獲の知らせは既に伝令によって彼の耳に入っていたが、いざ目の前にすると、囚われの身であっても戦う相手としても確かに恐ろしい存在であった。さて、このようにブリュエン二オスの身柄を得たからにはアレクシオスは戦利品として、傷つけることなく彼を皇帝ボタネイアテスの下へ送ることにした。アレクシオスの性格として敵に対して酷いことができる人ではなかった、なぜなら捕囚そのこと自体が十分な罰として考えられたからである。それゆえ、捕まった後の彼らに対しては慈悲と友情と寛容をもって接した。この寛容がこの場合はブリュエン二オスに対して発揮された。彼の捕囚後、アレクシオスは適度な距離を置いてブリュエン二オスについていき、ある場所に来ると、アレクシオスはブリュエン二オスに話しかけた。(アレクシオスは意気消沈しているブリュエン二オスを安心させたかったし、希望を取り戻させたかった。)「馬を降りて、少し座って休もう。」しかし、ブリュエンニオスは命が危うい状況で、特段休息を必要ともしていなかった。一体どのようにしたら、今の彼のように生の望みを全く持てない状況に陥るというのだろうか。しかし、彼はすぐに将軍の望みに従った、奴婢があらゆる命令に従うように、特に彼の場合は虜囚の身であったので。二人が下馬すると、アレクシオスは緑の芝生の上に長椅子の上であるかのごとく寝転がった。ブリュエン二オスは離れて座り、大きな樫の根に頭をもたれかけさせた。我が父アレクシオスは甘美な詩の中に出てくるかのごとく優しく眠った。そのような眠りはブリュエン二オスには望めないものであった。

But lying there he raised his eyes and saw the sword hanging from the branches, and as he did not see anybody about just then, he shook off his despondency, conceived a daring plan and plotted to kill my father. And the thought would quickly have been translated into action, had not some divine power from oh high prevented him, which appeased the fierce emotions of his mind, and forced him to look kindly at the General. I have often heard the latter tell this tale. Whoever likes may learn from this how God was guarding the Comnenus like a precious object, for a greater dignity, intending by means of him to restore the fortune of the Romans. If later on undesirable things happened to Bryennius, the blame must be laid on certain of the Emperor's courtiers; my father was blameless. Such then was the end of Bryennius' rebellion.

しかし、横になりながら、目を上げると枝から剣が吊るされているのがブリュエン二オスの目に入った。そのとき誰も近くにはいなかった。ブリュエン二オスは失意を払い落とし、ある甘美な計画を思い浮かべ、我が父を殺そうとした。そして、もし、ある種の天からの神聖な力が彼を押しとどめなければ、その考えはすぐに行動に移っただろう。その力は彼の心に現れた恐ろしい感情を和らげ、将軍に暖かい視線を送らせた。私はしばしばブリュエン二オスからこの話を聞いた。どのような人であれ、このように神がコムネノスを至高のもののように加護し給ったのを知れば、彼をしてローマの栄光を取り戻させようとしていることを知るだろう。もし、この後、ブリュエン二オスの身に望まざることが降り掛かろうとも、その責めは皇帝の官吏に帰せられるべきもので、我が父に責めは及ばないであろう。これがブリュエン二オスの反乱の終わりであった。


  • 最終更新:2012-04-04 04:59:31

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