Thucydides, The Melian Dialogue

The Melian Dialogue

Overview

  • Date: 431 BC

  • Context: Part of Thucydides' "History of the Peloponnesian War"

  • Chapter: XVII - Focus on the Melian Conference and the fate of Melos.

Background

  • Alcibiades led an expedition against Melos with a substantial Athenian fleet of thirty ships and troops (totaling over 3,000).

  • Melos, a colony of Lacedaemonians, initially maintained neutrality but turned against Athens due to Athenian aggression and plundering.

  • The Athenians attempted negotiation before assaulting Melos.

Initial Negotiations

  • Athenian Envoys: Sought to negotiate without public discussion to avoid interruptions and present their case without challenge.

    • Key Statement: The Athenians argued that in matters of power, right is only a question between equals; the strong impose their will, while the weak must endure.

  • Melian Response: They expressed skepticism about negotiations leading to peace, fearing it was a prelude to war or submission.

Principles of Power and Justice

  • Athenian Perspective: Emphasized self-interest and the reality of power dynamics, disregarding notions of justice in favor of pragmatic approaches.

    • Declared their empire’s preservation necessitated the subjugation of Melos.

  • Melian Counterargument: Argued that every state should appeal to fairness and the perception of justice to maintain their dignity and mutual respect among states.

The Nature of Security

  • Melians contended that submitting leads to despair and relinquishing their agency, while action gives hope.

  • Athenians dismissed hope without resources as a dangerous gamble.

Conceptions of Alliance and Probability

  • Melian Dependency on Lacedaemon: The Melians relied on possible support from Lacedaemonians, their kin, eliciting a sense of shared loyalty.

  • Athenian Naysayers: They questioned the efficacy of this reliance, arguing that Lacedaemon would not act against Athenian supremacy at sea.

Final Standoff

  • The Melians rejected the Athenian offer of peace and maintained their commitment to fight.

  • After deliberation, the Melians resolved to trust in the gods for protection and the aid of the Lacedaemonians, ultimately choosing to fight rather than accept submission.

Military Conflict

  • Following the failed negotiations, the Athenians lay siege to Melos, establishing circumvallation.

  • The siege lengthens as Melians regroup and engage Athenian forces sporadically.

Conclusion of the Siege

  • As the siege intensified and internal betrayals reduced their defenses, Melos ultimately capitulated.

  • Consequences of Surrender:

    • Adult males were executed; women and children were enslaved.

    • Athenian colonists were sent to inhabit Melos, effectively subjugating it.

Significance

  • This dialogue is significant in illustrating realpolitik in international relations and the stark reality of power over justice during warfare.