Today's Passage
This passage is from Pericles' final speech to the Athenian assembly in 430 BCE, during the second year of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“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 with me, or cowed by your sufferings. I am of opinion that national greatness is more for the advantage of private citizens, than any individual well-being coupled with public humiliation. A man may be personally ever so well off, and yet if his country be ruined he must be ruined with it; whereas a flourishing commonwealth always affords chances of salvation to unfortunate individuals. Since then a state can support the misfortunes of private citizens, while they cannot support hers, it is surely the duty of every one to be forward in her defence, and not like you to be so confounded with your domestic afflictions as to give up all thoughts of the common safety, and to blame me for having counselled war and yourselves for having voted it. And yet if you are angry with me, it is with one who, as I believe, is second to no man either in knowledge of the proper policy, or in the ability to expound it, and who is moreover not only a patriot but an honest one. A man possessing that knowledge without that faculty of exposition might as well have no idea at all on the matter: if he had both these gifts, but no love for his country, he would be but a cold advocate for her interests; while were his patriotism not proof against bribery, everything would go for a price. So that if you thought that I was even moderately distinguished for these qualities when you took my advice and went to war, there is certainly no reason now why I should be charged with having done wrong.
Modern Translation
I was fully prepared for your anger toward me, as I understand its causes, and I have convened this assembly to remind you of certain facts and to protest against your unreasonable hostility toward me and your surrender to despair. In my view, a nation's greatness benefits its individual citizens far more than personal prosperity combined with public disgrace. A man may enjoy personal wealth and comfort, but if his country falls, he falls with it. Conversely, a thriving state can always provide opportunities for salvation to its unfortunate citizens. Since a state can endure the misfortunes of individuals while they cannot endure its collapse, surely everyone must rally to its defense—not behave as you do now, so overwhelmed by personal tragedies that you abandon all concern for our collective security while blaming me for advocating war and yourselves for voting for it. Yet if you are angry with me, you are angry with someone who, I believe, is second to none in understanding proper policy and explaining it clearly, and who is, moreover, both patriotic and incorruptible. A man who understands policy but cannot articulate it might as well know nothing. If he possesses both knowledge and eloquence but lacks devotion to his country, he would be a lukewarm advocate at best. And if his patriotism could be bought, everything would have its price. Therefore, if you believed I possessed even a moderate degree of these qualities when you accepted my counsel and chose war, there is certainly no justification now for accusing me of wrongdoing.
Historical Context
This passage is from Pericles' final speech to the Athenian assembly in 430 BCE, during the second year of the Peloponnesian War. Athens is suffering from both the Spartan invasion of Attica and a devastating plague that has killed thousands, including Pericles' own sons. The Athenians, demoralized by their losses, have turned against Pericles and his war strategy of avoiding land battles while relying on naval supremacy. Pericles defends his leadership and the decision to go to war, arguing that individual welfare depends on the state's survival. This speech represents a crucial moment in Athenian democracy, as the people question their leader during a crisis. It also showcases Pericles' rhetorical skill and his vision of Athens as a collective enterprise that transcends individual interests.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Democracy
This speech illustrates the accountability of Athenian leaders to the demos (people). Even Pericles, Athens' most influential statesman, must defend his policies before the assembly when public opinion turns against him, showing both the power and volatility of democratic governance.
Learn more →The Plague of Athens
The plague that struck Athens in 430-429 BCE killed an estimated one-third of the population, including Pericles himself. This catastrophe, combined with the Spartan invasions, created the crisis atmosphere in which Pericles delivers this defensive speech.
Learn more →Periclean Strategy
Pericles' war strategy involved abandoning the Attic countryside to Spartan invasion while the population sheltered behind Athens' Long Walls, relying on naval power and empire for survival. This strategy's human cost is evident in the public's anger.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Rhetoric
Pericles employs classic rhetorical techniques: establishing his ethos (credibility), appealing to collective values over individual interests, and using logical arguments about the interdependence of citizen and state to counter emotional reactions to suffering.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (34-35)
Plutarch describes the same period, noting how the plague and public suffering turned the Athenians against Pericles, leading to his temporary removal from office and fine, though he was soon reinstated.
Read passage →Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (27.1)
Aristotle discusses Pericles' leadership style and his ability to guide the demos, noting how he managed public opinion through a combination of persuasion and political skill.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.45-46)
Diodorus provides an alternative account of Athens during the plague years, emphasizing the social breakdown and loss of traditional values that accompanied the physical suffering.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Pericles' argument about the relationship between individual and collective welfare resonate with modern debates about personal freedom versus social responsibility?
- What does this passage reveal about the strengths and weaknesses of democratic leadership during times of crisis?
- How effective is Pericles' self-defense? Does his emphasis on his own qualities strengthen or weaken his argument?
- Compare Pericles' vision of citizenship here with modern concepts of patriotism. What similarities and differences do you observe?