Today's Passage
This passage comes from Pericles' final speech to the Athenians in 430 BCE, during the second year of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“For those of course who have a free choice in the matter and whose fortunes are not at stake, war is the greatest of follies. But if the only choice was between submission with loss of independence, and danger with the hope of preserving that independence, in such a case it is he who will not accept the risk that deserves blame, not he who will. I am the same man and do not alter, it is you who change, since in fact you took my advice while unhurt, and waited for misfortune to repent of it; and the apparent error of my policy lies in the infirmity of your resolution, since the suffering that it entails is being felt by every one among you, while its advantage is still remote and obscure to all, and a great and sudden reverse having befallen you, your mind is too much depressed to persevere in your resolves. For before what is sudden, unexpected, and least within calculation, the spirit quails; and putting all else aside, the plague has certainly been an emergency of this kind. Born, however, as you are, citizens of a great state, and brought up, as you have been, with habits equal to your birth, you should be ready to face the greatest disasters and still to keep unimpaired the lustre of your name. For the judgment of mankind is as relentless to the weakness that falls short of a recognized renown, as 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.
Modern Translation
Of course, for those who have the luxury of choice and whose prosperity is secure, war is the height of folly. But when the only alternatives are submission at the cost of freedom or danger with the hope of maintaining independence, then it is those who refuse to take the risk who deserve censure, not those who embrace it. I remain unchanged in my position—it is you who waver. You accepted my counsel when times were good, only to regret it when hardship struck. What appears to be an error in my policy is actually the weakness of your resolve. The suffering it brings touches each of you personally, while its benefits remain distant and unclear to all. A massive and unexpected calamity has struck you, and your spirits are too crushed to maintain your determination. The human spirit recoils before events that are sudden, unforeseen, and beyond calculation—and the plague has certainly been such a catastrophe. Yet you were born citizens of a mighty city and raised with values befitting your heritage. You should be prepared to confront the worst disasters while preserving the glory of your reputation intact. Humanity judges as harshly those who fail to live up to their established fame as it resents those who reach beyond their proper station. Therefore, stop mourning your personal losses and dedicate yourselves to the security of our state.
Historical Context
This passage comes from Pericles' final speech to the Athenians 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, following Pericles' strategy, have abandoned their countryside and crowded within the city walls while their navy maintains supremacy at sea. Public opinion has turned against Pericles and his war policy. In this speech, he defends his strategy and attempts to restore Athenian morale by appealing to their civic pride and imperial greatness. This is one of the last recorded speeches of Pericles, who would himself die from the plague shortly after.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Plague of Athens
The plague struck Athens in 430 BCE, killing an estimated quarter of the population. Thucydides provides a detailed clinical description, having survived it himself. Modern scholars debate its nature—typhus, typhoid fever, or even Ebola have been suggested. The plague profoundly affected Athenian morale and social order.
Learn more →Periclean Strategy
Pericles' defensive strategy relied on Athens' naval supremacy and financial reserves. Athenians would abandon the countryside to Spartan invasion while maintaining their empire through sea power. This strategy required extraordinary discipline and went against traditional Greek military values of defending one's land.
Learn more →Athenian Democracy and War
Athens' radical democracy meant that strategic decisions were subject to popular vote in the assembly. This passage illustrates the tension between consistent long-term strategy and democratic mood swings, a recurring theme in Thucydides' analysis of how democracies conduct war.
Learn more →Greek Concept of Reputation (Doxa)
Pericles appeals to the Athenian concern for reputation and glory. In Greek culture, one's reputation (doxa) was paramount, and cities, like individuals, were expected to live up to their established fame. This cultural value often drove Greek political and military decisions.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (34-35)
Plutarch describes the same period, noting how the Athenians blamed Pericles for their sufferings and how he responded with this speech, emphasizing his personal losses to the plague.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.45-46)
Provides an alternative account of Athens during the plague, with less detail but confirming the severe impact on Athenian morale and the criticism of Pericles' strategy.
Read passage →Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (27-28)
Discusses Pericles' political leadership and how he managed the Athenian democracy, providing context for understanding his rhetorical strategies in crisis situations.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Pericles balance individual suffering with collective state interests? Is his argument convincing?
- What does this passage reveal about the challenges of maintaining consistent policy in a democracy during crisis?
- How does Pericles use appeals to Athenian identity and reputation to motivate citizens? Are such appeals effective or manipulative?
- Compare Pericles' leadership during crisis with modern democratic leaders. What similarities and differences do you observe?