Thomas Nichols (fl. 1550)

Thomas Nichols or Nicolls (fl. 1550) was an early English translator of Thucydides. Quotes For that, that the Grekes and other nations which inhabyted nyghe vnto the sea and to the Islandes, after that they begonne to vse shyppes, and to sayle, gaue them selues to pyllage and to robbe vpon the sea, hauynge appoynted for thys purpose, the myghtyest amonge them. And thus they dyd, aswell for theyr gaygne or lucre, as also to nouryshe the poore people, whiche dwelled on the lande. In suche sorte, that they daylye pyllaged the tounes that were openne, and not garnyshed wyth walles, and wyth the same pyllage, they lyuedde the more part of them, wythoute reputynge the sayde manner of lyuynge to be shamefull or a thynge dyshoneste. . . . And yet at thys present daye, in many quarters of Grece, they kepe the selfe custome, . . . by occasyon wherof, they were accustomed to go armed. Whiche was that generall in all Grece, for that, that they had no suertye in theyr houses, nor yet in theyr iourneys. Wherfore they were constrayned for defence of theyr parsones, to go alwayes armed, lyke as all straungers do. And in so muche as men maye yet nowe see that there arne many countreys in Grece, whiche kepe thys manner of lyuynge: it is to be presumed, that it was auncyently the custome generall of all the Grekes. Amonge whome, the Athenyans were the furste, that beganne to leue thys custome, to go thus armed, and so forsakyng that same maner of lyuynge: they gaue them selfe to a cyuile and delycyous lyfe. For that [i.e. because] the Greeks and other nations which inhabited nigh unto the sea and to the Islands, after that they begun to use ships, and to sail, gave themselves to pillage and to rob upon the sea, having appointed for this purpose the mightiest among them. And thus they did, as well for their gain or lucre, as also to nourish the poor people, which dwelled on the land. In such sort, that they daily pillaged the towns that were open, and not garnished with walls, and with the same pillage, they lived the more part of them, wihout reputing the said manner of living to be shameful or a thing dishonest. . . . And yet at this present day, in many quarters of Greece, they keep the self custom, . . . by occasion whereof, they were accustomed to go armed. Which was that general in all Greece, for that they had no surety in their houses, nor yet in their journeys. Wherefore they were constrained for defence of their persons, to go always armed, like as all strangers do. And insomuch as men may yet now see that there are many countries in Greece which keep this manner of living: it is to be presumed that it was anciently the custom general of all the Greeks. Among whom, the Athenians were the first that began to leave this custom to go thus armed, and so forsaking that same manner of living they gave themself to a civil and delicious life. The Hystory Writtone by Thucidides the Athenyan of the Warre whiche was Betwene the Peloponesians and the Athenyans (London: William Tylle, 1550), bk. I, ch. i, n.p. External links Q53494249 Category:Translators from England