The Melian Dialogue (416 BC) by Thucydides

Background

• The dialogue takes place during the Peloponnesian War.
• The Athenians are expanding their empire and targeting neutral states.
• Melos, a colony of Lacedaemon (Sparta), remains neutral but is pressured by Athens.

Athenian Expedition

• Athenians: Launched an expedition against Melos with a large military force.
  • 30 Athenian ships, 6 Chian, 2 Lesbian vessels
  • 1,600 heavy infantry, 300 archers, 20 mounted archers from Athens
  • Additional 1,500 heavy infantry from allies

Initial Negotiations

• Athenians: Sent envoys to negotiate with Melians, insisting on submission or face destruction.
• Melians: Refuse open negotiations, discussing with only few selected officials.

Key Arguments from the Dialogue

Athenian Perspective

• Power and Realism: Strong do what they can; the weak suffer what they must.
• Empire and Control: Melian neutrality threatens Athenian control, seen as a sign of weakness.
• Strategic Argument: Better for Melians to submit without resistance for mutual benefit.

Melian Perspective

• Justice and Hope: Trust in gods and Spartan kinship. Claim just cause against Athenian aggression.
• Risk of War: Better to fight with hope than submit to despair.
• Spartan Support: Expect Spartans to support them due to shared blood and proximity.

Conclusion of Dialogue

• Melians: Decide to resist, hoping for divine and Spartan support.
• Athenians: Dismiss Melian hopes and assume they will be unsupported.

Aftermath

• Athenian Siege: Circumvallation established around Melos.
• Melian Resistance: Attempted attacks on Athenian lines, initially successful.
• Final Surrender: Melians surrender after internal betrayal.
  • Athenians killed the men, sold women and children into slavery.
  • Melos was repopulated with Athenian colonists.

Broader Context

• The dialogue represents a clash between idealism (Melos) and realism (Athens).
• Highlights the harsh realities of power dynamics and war during the era.
• Thucydides uses the dialogue to explore themes of justice, power, and human nature.