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How the passage speaks. Exactly one per passage.
At a wedding Pepys hears sharp criticism from generals about fleet expenses and negligence; Coventry replies in defence of himself and Pepys, comparing their stance to Falstaff’s blunt retort to a prince.
and quietly as we can. He seems to be very apprehensive that the Parliament will be troublesome and inquisitive into faults; but seems not to value them as to himself. 28th. To the wedding of Mr. Longracke, our purveyor, a civil man, and hath married a sober, serious mayde; but the whole company was very simple and innocent. Sir W. Coventry did read me a letter from the Generalls to the King, a most scurvy letter,…
A monument unveiling is described at St. Olave’s in 1884, including speeches by Russell Lowell and quotations praising Pepys’s Admiralty leadership and personal integrity.
"The contemporary account, which Lord Northbrook was good enough to send him, said: "'Pepys was, without exception, the greatest and most useful Minister that ever filled the same situations in England, the acts and registers of the Admiralty proving this beyond contradiction. The principal rules and establishments in present use in these offices are well known to have been of his introducing, an…
Lowell’s speech continues by interpreting Pepys as a ‘Philistine’ type whose naivete and sincerity make the Diary uniquely valuable, likened partly to Falstaff and compared with L’Estoile.
the highest pretender. Discharging his duty to his Prince and country with a religious application and perfect integrity, he feared no one, courted no one, and neglected his own fortune.' "That was a character drawn, it was true, by a friendly hand, but to those who were familiar with the life of Pepys, the praise hardly seemed exaggerated. As regarded his official life, it was unnecessary to dilate …
Corcyra’s envoys argue before Athens that Athens should ally with them against Corinth: they stress expediency, gratitude, naval strength, and the danger of Corinth and Lacedaemon acting jointly.
the Athenian, and her prospect of ordering the war according to her wishes being thus impeded. An assembly was convoked, and the rival advocates appeared: the Corcyraeans spoke as follows: “Athenians! when a people that have not rendered any important service or support to their neighbours in times past, for which they might claim to be repaid, appear before them as we now appear before you to solicit their assistan…
Corcyra continues its speech, presenting compliance as safe and honourable, arguing that Corinth’s hostility is immediate, and claiming Corcyra is strategically placed to block naval reinforcements.
if we forswear our old principle of complete political isolation, a principle which was not adopted with any sinister intention, but was rather the consequence of an error in judgment. “Now there are many reasons why in the event of your compliance you will congratulate yourselves on this request having been made to you. First, because your assistance will be rendered to a power which, herself inoffensive, is a vict…
Corcyra answers the treaty objection by claiming neutrality under the Lacedaemonian treaty allows choosing either side, while accusing Corinth of recruiting men from Athens’ dependencies and seeking support by deceit.
deceit, nor to yield to their direct requests; concessions to adversaries only end in self-reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security. “If it be urged that your reception of us will be a breach of the treaty existing between you and Lacedaemon, the answer is that we are a neutral state, and that one of the express provisions of that treaty is that it shall be competen…
Corcyra urges that receiving them supports goodwill and punishes defection, arguing Athens should secure the strongest existing naval ally rather than fail to add a key coastal position; the sea-power balance is central.
your dependencies. This ought not to be, but you should either forbid her enlisting men in your dominions, or you should lend us too what help you may think advisable. “But your real policy is to afford us avowed countenance and support. The advantages of this course, as we premised in the beginning of our speech, are many. We mention one that is perhaps the chief. Could there be a clearer guarantee of our good fait…
Corinth replies that Corcyra’s moderation is hypocrisy aimed at monopoly of “crime,” and argues Corinth’s war against Corcyra is justified by the seizure of Epidamnus and the rejection of arbitration.
Such were the words of the Corcyraeans. After they had finished, the Corinthians spoke as follows: “These Corcyraeans in the speech we have just heard do not confine themselves to the question of their reception into your alliance. They also talk of our being guilty of injustice, and their being the victims of an unjustifiable war. It becomes necessary for us to touch upon both these points before we proceed to the …
Corinth continues by denying that its dispute was really about arbitration, insisting Corcyra sought arms first, warning Athens not to patronize defection, and arguing that an auxiliary alliance would force Athens to share punishment.
our dependency, which they took no steps to claim in its distress upon our coming to relieve it, was by them seized, and is now held by force of arms. “As to their allegation that they wished the question to be first submitted to arbitration, it is obvious that a challenge coming from the party who is safe in a commanding position cannot gain the credit due only to him who, before appealing to arms, in deeds as well…
The Corinthians argue that Hellenic law lets them demand equitable treatment from Athens, citing Corinth’s past aid to Athens and urging Athens to counter Corinth’s enemies rather than be swayed by the uncertain war scare from Corcyra.
you will find that just as many of your dependencies will come over to us, and the principle that you establish will press less heavily on us than on yourselves. “This then is what Hellenic law entitles us to demand as a right. But we have also advice to offer and claims on your gratitude, which, since there is no danger of our injuring you, as we are not enemies, and since our friendship does not amount to very fre…
In the Spartan assembly, Corinthians rebuke Spartan inactivity and argue Athens had time to grow through delayed intervention; they cite earlier warnings, charge Spartans with enabling Athenian subjugation, and urge immediate defensive action.
the siege of Potidæa?—places one of which lies most conveniently for any action against the Thracian towns; while the other would have contributed a very large navy to the Peloponnesians? “For all this you are responsible. You it was who first allowed them to fortify their city after the Median war, and afterwards to erect the long walls—you who, then and now, are always depriving of freedom not only those whom they…
A Corinthian remonstration to Lacedaemonians contrasts Spartan “keeping what you have” with Athenian innovation, speed, daring, and soldierly labor, arguing delay and undue faith in allies will doom them.
we owe it more to her blunders than to your protection; Indeed, expectations from you have before now been the ruin of some, whose faith induced them to omit preparation. “We hope that none of you will consider these words of remonstrance to be rather words of hostility; men remonstrate with friends who are in error, accusations they reserve for enemies who have wronged them. Besides, we consider that we have as goo…
The Corinthians urge Lacedaemonians to invade Attica quickly to help allies like Potidaea, then Athenian envoys arrive and shift the issue from accusations to a comprehensive review of causes.
action must be accompanied by the constant improvement of methods. Thus it happens that the vast experience of Athens has carried her further than you on the path of innovation. “Here, at least, let your procrastination end. For the present, assist your allies and Potidæa in particular, as you promised, by a speedy invasion of Attica, and do not sacrifice friends and kindred to their bitterest enemies, and drive the…
Athenian envoys say they are not arguing with allies but addressing Lacedaemon’s high-stakes decision, citing Marathon and Salamis to demonstrate Athens’ historical defense against the Persians.
said that they too, if there was no objection, wished to speak to their assembly. They replied by inviting them to come forward. The Athenians advanced, and spoke as follows: “The object of our mission here was not to argue with your allies, but to attend to the matters on which our state dispatched us. However, the vehemence of the outcry that we hear against us has prevailed on us to come forward. It is not to com…
Athens argues that its ships, Themistocles, and uncompromising patriotism secured the Hellenic fleet’s success, and that keeping an empire was driven by fear, later by honor and interest.
invader himself. Defeated at sea, he considered his power to be no longer what it had been, and retired as speedily as possible with the greater part of his army. “Such, then, was the result of the matter, and it was clearly proved that it was on the fleet of Hellas that her cause depended. Well, to this result we contributed three very useful elements, viz., the largest number of ships, the ablest commander, and th…
Athenian envoys defend imperial moderation as fair dealing in Athenian contract trials, contrasting legal restraint with other powers’ use of force, and warn that Spartan rule would lose popularity.
left us would fall to you. And no one can quarrel with a people for making, in matters of tremendous risk, the best provision that it can for its interest. “You, at all events, Lacedaemonians, have used your supremacy to settle the states in Peloponnese as is agreeable to you. And if at the period of which we were speaking you had persevered to the end of the matter, and had incurred hatred in your command, we are s…
Athens urges Sparta to delay war, settle differences through arbitration and oaths’ witnesses, and offers to repel hostilities if Sparta breaks faith, then Lacedaemonians consult on declaring war.
regulated by rules and institutions incompatible with those of others, but your citizens abroad act neither on these rules nor on those which are recognized by the rest of Hellas. “Take time then in forming your resolution, as the matter is of great importance; and do not be persuaded by the opinions and complaints of others to bring trouble on yourselves, but consider the vast influence of accident in war, before y…
Archidamus counsels against rash war with Athens, arguing Spartan inferiority at sea and in money, warning devastation won’t end quickly, and recommending remonstration plus preparation over immediate arms.
be declared at once. But Archidamus, the Lacedaemonian king, came forward, who had the reputation of being at once a wise and a moderate man, and made the following speech: “I have not lived so long, Lacedaemonians, without having had the experience of many wars, and I see those among you of the same age as myself, who will not fall into the common misfortune of longing for war from inexperience or from a belief in …
Archidamus proposes seeking more allies, developing home resources, delaying escalation so Athenian land serves as a hostage, and warning that coalition war for sectional interests is hard to settle honorably.
leave it as a legacy to our children; so improbable is it that the Athenian spirit will be the slave of their land, or Athenian experience be cowed by war. “Not that I would bid you be so unfeeling as to suffer them to injure your allies, and to refrain from unmasking their intrigues; but I do bid you not to take up arms at once, but to send and remonstrate with them in a tone not too suggestive of war, nor again to…
Archidamus argues Spartan slowness is wise moderation, insists on arbitration and calm decisions, and calls for sending to Athens regarding Potidaea and ally wrongs while still preparing for war.
done so: as we shall have the largest share of responsibility for the consequences be they good or bad, we have also a right to a tranquil inquiry respecting them. “And the slowness and procrastination, the parts of our character that are most assailed by their criticism, need not make you blush. If we undertake the war without preparation, we should by hastening its commencement only delay its conclusion: further, …
In a Spartan-allied congress, the Corinthians argue that the war is necessary duty for leaders, warn inland states about losing coast trade, and urge risking peace for war when injured.
war, in the fear that it might come too late to save Potidæa; they were present also on this occasion, and came forward the last, and made the following speech: “Fellow allies, we can no longer accuse the Lacedaemonians of having failed in their duty: they have not only voted for war themselves, but have assembled us here for that purpose. We say their duty, for supremacy has its duties. Besides equitably administer…
The Corinthians claim courage over fear will decide action, predict victory through numbers, experience, and obedience, plan to raise Athenian naval pay via Athenian money at Olympia and Delphi, and emphasize coordinated revolt.
The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure. “To apply these rules to ourselves, if we are now kindling war it is under the pressure of injury, with adequate grounds of complaint; and after we have chastised the Athenians we will in season desist. We have many reasons to expect s…
Continuing their speech, the Corinthians cite Apollo’s command and promised divine support, argue that aggressive treaty-breaking justifies war, urge immediate aid to besieged Potidaea, and frame Hellenic freedom as at stake against a tyrant city.
of an enemy which has proved so fatal in so many instances—a feeling which from the numbers that it has ruined has come to be called not contemptuous but contemptible. “There is, however, no advantage in reflections on the past further than may be of service to the present. For the future we must provide by maintaining what the present gives us and redoubling our efforts; it is hereditary to us to win virtue as the …
Pericles advises Athenians to refuse any concession to the Peloponnesians, arguing that accepting commands before legal settlement means slavery and that the immediate cause is a test of resolve.
of peace. Among them came forward Pericles, son of Xanthippus, the first man of his time at Athens, ablest alike in counsel and in action, and gave the following advice: “There is one principle, Athenians, which I hold to through everything, and that is the principle of no concession to the Peloponnesians. I know that the spirit which inspires men while they are being persuaded to make war is not always retained in …
Pericles argues Athens is better prepared for long war: Peloponnesians lack sea command and financial stamina, face political disunity, and gradually exhaust resources, making prolonged conflict favor Athens.
from an equal, urged upon a neighbour as commands before any attempt at legal settlement, be they great or be they small, have only one meaning, and that is slavery. “As to the war and the resources of either party, a detailed comparison will not show you the inferiority of Athens. Personally engaged in the cultivation of their land, without funds either private or public, the Peloponnesians are also without experie…
Pericles continues, dismissing fear of fortifications in Attica and praising Athenian seamanship, arguing sea power enables retaliatory fortification and that war’s true stakes are the lives of men.
is the business of somebody else to look after this or that for him; and so, by the same notion being entertained by all separately, the common cause imperceptibly decays. “But the principal point is the hindrance that they will experience from want of money. The slowness with which it comes in will cause delay; but the opportunities of war wait for no man. Again, we need not be alarmed either at the possibility of …
After issuing orders to invade Attica, the Peloponnesian army assembles at the Isthmus under King Archidamus, who exhorts disciplined vigilance and warns against negligence during a campaign in an enemy’s country.
Thera. Of these, ships were furnished by Chios, Lesbos, and Corcyra, infantry and money by the rest. Such were the allies of either party and their resources for the war. Immediately after the affair at Plataea, Lacedaemon sent round orders to the cities in Peloponnese and the rest of her confederacy to prepare troops and the provisions requisite for a foreign campaign, in order to invade Attica. The several states …
Pericles advises Athenians to prepare rather than fight by urging evacuation of wives, children, and goods into the city, safeguarding revenue, manpower, walls, and ships, while Boeotians are already joining the invasion and Archidamus advances.
with his army into their territory. Meanwhile the Boeotians, sending their contingent and cavalry to join the Peloponnesian expedition, went to Plataea with the remainder and laid waste the country. While the Peloponnesians were still mustering at the Isthmus, or on the march before they invaded Attica, Pericles, son of Xanthippus, one of the ten generals of the Athenians, finding that the invasion was to take place…
In Pericles’ funeral speech, he says he must obey ancestral custom while beginning with Athens’ ancestors and then describing the democratic constitution and equal justice for citizens.
ancestors have stamped this custom with their approval, it becomes my duty to obey the law and to try to satisfy your several wishes and opinions as best I may. “I shall begin with our ancestors: it is both just and proper that they should have the honour of the first mention on an occasion like the present. They dwelt in the country without break in the succession from generation to generation, and handed it down f…
Pericles continues, praising Athenian openness to foreigners, a relaxed yet disciplined way of life, and a military culture where daring, deliberation, and generosity distinguish Athens.
city draws the produce of the world into our harbour, so that to the Athenian the fruits of other countries are as familiar a luxury as those of his own. “If we turn to our military policy, there also we differ from our antagonists. We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by ou…
Pericles claims Athens is a “school of Hellas,” argues its reality exceeds reputation, and then turns to how the dead chose death in battle rather than submission or fear.
a payment, not a free gift. And it is only the Athenians, who, fearless of consequences, confer their benefits not from calculations of expediency, but in the confidence of liberality. “In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas, while I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only himself to depend upon, is equal to so many emergencies, and graced by so happy a versatility, as the Ath…
Pericles urges the survivors to remain steadfast, to see Athens daily and commit their best service to the city, framing honour, freedom, and collective burial as lasting glory.
only from dishonour, but met danger face to face, and after one brief moment, while at the summit of their fortune, escaped, not from their fear, but from their glory. “So died these men as became Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier issue. And not contented with ideas derived only from words of the advantages…
Pericles shifts to comfort for the dead’s parents, then exhorts sons, praises widowly virtue as quiet respectability, and closes by stating the legal and civic honours are complete.
surely, to a man of spirit, the degradation of cowardice must be immeasurably more grievous than the unfelt death which strikes him in the midst of his strength and patriotism! “Comfort, therefore, not condolence, is what I have to offer to the parents of the dead who may be here. Numberless are the chances to which, as they know, the life of man is subject; but fortunate indeed are they who draw for their lot a dea…
Pericles addresses the angry Athenians after the war’s start, arguing that national greatness protects private citizens and that his war policy was reasonable despite their present calamities and doubts.
double object of restoring confidence and of leading them from these angry feelings to a calmer and more hopeful state of mind. He accordingly came forward and spoke as follows: “I was not unprepared for the indignation of which I have been the object, as I know its causes; and I have called an assembly for the purpose of reminding you upon certain points, and of protesting against your being unreasonably irritated …
Pericles tells the Athenians that their naval power makes their empire different from losing land and argues that courage should rely on judgment and contempt rather than hope amid plague and uncertainty.
it is jealous of the arrogance that aspires higher than its due. Cease then to grieve for your private afflictions, and address yourselves instead to the safety of the commonwealth. “If you shrink before the exertions which the war makes necessary, and fear that after all they may not have a happy result, you know the reasons by which I have often demonstrated to you the groundlessness of your apprehensions. If thos…
Pericles warns against withdrawal and “unambitious” politics, insisting that an imperial city needs strong policy and protection, not retreat, and that heaven and the enemy require different kinds of endurance.
unambitious are never secure without vigorous protectors at their side; in fine, such qualities are useless to an imperial city, though they may help a dependency to an unmolested servitude. “But you must not be seduced by citizens like these or angry with me—who, if I voted for war, only did as you did yourselves—in spite of the enemy having invaded your country and done what you could be certain that he would do, …
Peloponnesian leaders address their troops to reassure them after the earlier sea defeat, arguing that the loss came from lack of preparation and chance rather than cowardice, and promising better preparation and discipline.
and noticing that the men were most of them cowed by the previous defeat and out of heart for the business, first called them together and encouraged them as follows: “Peloponnesians, the late engagement, which may have made some of you afraid of the one now in prospect, really gives no just ground for apprehension. Preparation for it, as you know, there was little enough; and the object of our voyage was not so muc…
Phormio exhorts the Athenians, claiming the Peloponnesians are relying on land-style confidence and fear rather than true sea skill, warning them to hold station, maintain order and silence, and fight in well-managed formation.
Peloponnesian vessels. At the moment, however, he saw that they were dispirited by the sight before them, and wishing to refresh their confidence, called them together and spoke as follows: “I see, my men, that you are frightened by the number of the enemy, and I have accordingly called you together, not liking you to be afraid of what is not really terrible. In the first place, the Peloponnesians, already defeated,…
The Mytilenian envoys argue that alliances require mutual trust but Athens ruled through fear and political stratagem, so when Athenian power grew, Mytilene believed it would inevitably be enslaved and sought alliance elsewhere.
the examples already given; it being unlikely that she would reduce our fellow confederates, and not do the same by us who were left, if ever she had the power. “Had we all been still independent, we could have had more faith in their not attempting any change; but the greater number being their subjects, while they were treating us as equals, they would naturally chafe under this solitary instance of independence a…
Continuing their speech, the envoys claim their revolt was premature and unprepared but necessary for safety, urging Sparta and allies to invade Attica quickly to exploit Athenian weakness and help Lesbos.
should be their equals and should be under no necessity of being their subjects; but the liberty of offence being always theirs, that of defence ought clearly to be ours. “Such, Lacedaemonians and allies, are the grounds and the reasons of our revolt; clear enough to convince our hearers of the fairness of our conduct, and sufficient to alarm ourselves, and to make us turn to some means of safety. This we wished to …
Diodotus argues that in deliberating about Mitylene you must consider Athens’ future interests, not present justice, and that death penalties deter no one because hope and ambition drive rebellion.
you visit the disasters into which the whim of the moment may have led you upon the single person of your adviser, not upon yourselves, his numerous companions in error. “However, I have not come forward either to oppose or to accuse in the matter of Mitylene; indeed, the question before us as sensible men is not their guilt, but our interests. Though I prove them ever so guilty, I shall not, therefore, advise their…
Diodotus continues, urging the Athenians not to impose a “strict judges” death policy on rebels, because earlier surrender enables tribute, whereas ruining a city destroys future revenue.
and only great simplicity can hope to prevent, human nature doing what it has once set its mind upon, by force of law or by any other deterrent force whatsoever. “We must not, therefore, commit ourselves to a false policy through a belief in the efficacy of the punishment of death, or exclude rebels from the hope of repentance and an early atonement of their error. Consider a moment. At present, if a city that has a…
Plataean envoys Astymachus and Lacon plead for mercy before five Lacedaemonian judges, arguing they expected impartial legal process, while the case is rigged and their fate already decided.
length, and deputed two of their number to represent them: Astymachus, son of Asopolaus, and Lacon, son of Aeimnestus, proxenus of the Lacedaemonians, who came forward and spoke as follows: “Lacedaemonians, when we surrendered our city we trusted in you, and looked forward to a trial more agreeable to the forms of law than the present, to which we had no idea of being subjected; the judges also in whose hands we con…
The Plataeans recount their earlier service to Sparta at the time of the Helot revolt at Ithome and explain why they fought against Thebes, claiming Sparta and its allies committed the betrayal by marching against them.
time of the great panic at Sparta, after the earthquake, caused by the secession of the Helots to Ithome, we sent the third part of our citizens to assist you. “On these great and historical occasions such was the part that we chose, although afterwards we became your enemies. For this you were to blame. When we asked for your alliance against our Theban oppressors, you rejected our petition, and told us to go to th…
The Plataeans warn that an unjust sentence will disgrace Sparta in Greek opinion, invoke oaths and ancestral tombs, and argue that killing them violates Hellenic law because they surrendered as suppliants.
in the same way, and policy should not mean anything else than lasting gratitude for the service of good ally combined with a proper attention to one’s own immediate interest. “Consider also that at present the Hellenes generally regard you as a pattern of worth and honour; and if you pass an unjust sentence upon us in this which is no obscure cause, but one in which you, the judges, are as illustrious as we, the pr…
Continuing their plea, the Plataeans stress that sparing them accords with compassion and predicts misfortune for even the innocent, then ask to be returned to the position for which they surrendered.
won, make desolate the temples of the gods to whom they prayed before they overcame the Medes, and take away your ancestral sacrifices from those who founded and instituted them. “It were not to your glory, Lacedaemonians, either to offend in this way against the common law of the Hellenes and against your own ancestors, or to kill us your benefactors to gratify another’s hatred without having been wronged yourselve…
The Thebans respond that Plataeans spoke too broadly, claim their quarrel began when Plataea refused Boeotian supremacy and allied with Athens, and argue they Medized for political power while Plataeans merely copied Athens’ choices.
the Boeotians, and proving traitors to their nationality, we used compulsion; upon which they went over to the Athenians, and with them did as much harm, for which we retaliated. “Next, when the barbarian invaded Hellas, they say that they were the only Boeotians who did not Medize; and this is where they most glorify themselves and abuse us. We say that if they did not Medize, it was because the Athenians did not d…
The Thebans argue Plataeans deserve blame for abandoning the anti-Persian league and joining Athenian domination, insisting that choosing Athens commits them to its outcomes and makes their later excuses invalid.
then became their accomplices in oppressing others; although baseness rather consists in not returning like for like than in not returning what is justly due but must be unjustly paid. “Meanwhile, after thus plainly showing that it was not for the sake of the Hellenes that you alone then did not Medize, but because the Athenians did not do so either, and you wished to side with them and to be against the rest; you n…
A Theban speaker accuses the Lacedaemonians of violating an agreement and murdering surrendered men, arguing that the prisoners must be punished under Hellenic law rather than excused by appeals to pity.
attacking persons, since you were not to be banished from your city, but brought home to your kindred, nor to be made enemies to any, but friends alike to all. “That our intention was not hostile is proved by our behaviour. We did no harm to any one, but publicly invited those who wished to live under a national, Boeotian government to come over to us; which as first you gladly did, and made an agreement with us and…
Lacedaemonian envoys at Athens argue for a peace treaty, warning against overconfidence and revenge, urging surrender of the island men and offering favorable terms and alliance; Cleon and the Athenians demand surrender to Athens and restoration of multiple places before a truce.
were the terms of the armistice, and the ships were delivered over to the number of sixty, and the envoys sent off accordingly. Arrived at Athens they spoke as follows: “Athenians, the Lacedaemonians sent us to try to find some way of settling the affair of our men on the island, that shall be at once satisfactory to our interests, and as consistent with our dignity in our misfortune as circumstances permit. We can …
Hermocrates argues that since Sicilians fought from self-interest yet must now debate peace, they should unite against Athens—invading under alliance pretexts—and stop civil discord that would leave Sicily vulnerable.
way, advice to make peace would not be unserviceable; and this, if we did but see it, is just what we stand most in need of at the present juncture. “I suppose that no one will dispute that we went to war at first in order to serve our own several interests, that we are now, in view of the same interests, debating how we can make peace; and that if we separate without having as we think our rights, we shall go to wa…
Hermocrates continues, stressing peace’s safety and honors, warning that vengeance and force are uncertain due to an unknown future, and urging the Sicilians to send away the intruder and delay private disputes.
in war, peace quietly ends our quarrels; and the guests who come hither under fair pretences for bad ends, will have good reason for going away without having attained them. “So far as regards the Athenians, such are the great advantages proved inherent in a wise policy. Independently of this, in the face of the universal consent, that peace is the first of blessings, how can we refuse to make it amongst ourselves; …
Hermocrates concludes that abandoning animosity is not disgraceful among Dorians and Chalcidians, promising coordinated unity to keep foreign invaders out, and he frames peace as freedom within Sicily.
dependent on others, and thus not only impotent to repel an insult, but on the most favourable supposition, friends to our direst enemies, and at feud with our natural friends. “For myself, though, as I said at first, the representative of a great city, and able to think less of defending myself than of attacking others, I am prepared to concede something in prevision of these dangers. I am not inclined to ruin myse…
At Acanthus, Brasidas addresses the people to justify Spartan war as freeing Hellas from Athens, criticizes their closed gates, offers oaths for allied independence, and argues Athens will not send an equal invasion.
had to say before making a decision; and he was admitted accordingly and appeared before the people, and not being a bad speaker for a Lacedaemonian, addressed them as follows: “Acanthians, the Lacedaemonians have sent out me and my army to make good the reason that we gave for the war when we began it, viz., that we were going to war with the Athenians in order to free Hellas. Our delay in coming has been caused by…
Brasidas further assures Acanthus that he will not seize the city for a party, insists freedom requires respecting constitutions, and threatens to lay waste the land if they refuse his offer of alliance.
suspicions of my intentions after the guarantees which I offer, and equally so against doubts of my ability to protect you, and I invite you to join me without hesitation. “Some of you may hang back because they have private enemies, and fear that I may put the city into the hands of a party: none need be more tranquil than they. I am not come here to help this party or that; and I do not consider that I should be b…
Pagondas argues Boeotians must fight Athens wherever they meet them because Athenians crossed into Boeotia and built a fort; he urges resistance as defending freedom and not unjust enslavement, and his speech leads them to attack.
him, company after company, to prevent their all leaving their arms at once, and urged them to attack the Athenians, and stand the issue of a battle, speaking as follows: “Boeotians, the idea that we ought not to give battle to the Athenians, unless we came up with them in Boeotia, is one which should never have entered into the head of any of us, your generals. It was to annoy Boeotia that they crossed the frontier…
Athenian heralds argue that destroying or refusing to evacuate temples in conquered Boeotia was justified by war, invoking Greek laws about temple possession, while Boeotians reject a truce for retrieving dead on disputed grounds.
the name of the deities concerned, and of Apollo, the Boeotians invited them first to evacuate the temple, if they wished to take up the dead that belonged to them. After these words from the herald, the Athenians sent their own herald to the Boeotians to say that they had not done any wrong to the temple, and for the future would do it no more harm than they could help; not having occupied it originally in any such…
Brasidas urges his Peloponnesian troops during the retreat, arguing that their courage does not depend on allies or numbers, and that barbarians’ frightening appearance will fade when they face organized resistance.
the retreat and beat off the most forward of their assailants, Meanwhile, before the enemy approached, he sought to sustain the courage of his soldiers with the following hasty exhortation: “Peloponnesians, if I did not suspect you of being dismayed at being left alone to sustain the attack of a numerous and barbarian enemy, I should just have said a few words to you as usual without further explanation. As it is, i…
Brasidas rallies Spartans and allies at Amphipolis, explaining to Clearidas and the allies how to open the gates at the right moment so Brasidas can surprise the Athenians and create panic.
them alone, if their reinforcements were once allowed to come up; and so calling all his soldiers together in order to encourage them and explain his intention, spoke as follows: “Peloponnesians, the character of the country from which we have come, one which has always owed its freedom to valour, and the fact that you are Dorians and the enemy you are about to fight Ionians, whom you are accustomed to beat, are thi…
Spartan ambassadors try to stop Corinth from joining the Argive alliance, accusing her of oath violations, while Corinth argues she cannot abandon her Thracian allies and agrees to discuss the matter at the next congress.
conditional upon the consent of the whole body of the allies. With these apprehensions there was a very general desire in each state to place itself in alliance with Argos. In the meantime the Lacedaemonians perceiving the agitation going on in Peloponnese, and that Corinth was the author of it and was herself about to enter into alliance with the Argives, sent ambassadors thither in the hope of preventing what was …