Thucydides' 'Melian Dialogue'

Question 1

Thucydides: Background Info

Answer 1

• Ancient Greek accounting history of ‘The Peloponnesian War’ between Athens and Sparta in 5th Century BC
• Island of Melos wanted to remain neutral but Athens demanded they recognise their authority

Question 2

Thucydides: Politics = Power

Answer 2

• Melians wanted discussion with justice in mind, Athens have belief that justice is only applicable between equal power, where there are power discrepancies justice is irrelevant
• “The strong do what they want and the weak suffer what they must”
• The best recipe for success is to stand up to equals, defer to superiors and be moderate towards your inferiors

Question 3

Thucydides: Melians Arguments and Reasons to Fight

Answer 3

• Forced to suggest that their interests coincide, arguing in terms of Athenian self interest that it’s better for both that they remain neutral :
  - Suggest attacking them will make enemies of all other neutral polis
  - Set example of others to abandon justice
  - Believed they had god on their side
  - Offered choice or death or enslavement what do we have to lose
• Said that Athens have come here as self-appointed judges of what is said, see outcome before; win with justice then war or concede and be enslaved

Question 4

Thucydides: Athenian Arguments

Answer 4

• Belief that justice is not applicable due to power imbalance
• Response to Melians arguments generally dismissive for example nothing to fear from making enemies of polis, Sparta not motivated by honour but self interest
• Don’t just have justice through strength but natural given right from gods, believing that it is right for them to follow self interest
• Ruling them ensures safety of both, submission will save Melos from suffering and Athens will not profit from destroying them
  - Unable to leave them disengaged as their friendship is less valuable than opposition, and it would be seen as a sign of weakness
• Suggested than Melians strongest arguments just rest on hopes for the future, whilst your present resources too slender to prevail against those now arrayed against you
  
  • Melians idealism, Athenians realism
  • '’Hope lead men to ruin’’