Today's Passage
This passage is from Pericles' final speech to the Athenians in 430 BCE, during the second year of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“But you must not be seduced by citizens like these or angry with me—who, if I voted for war, only did as you did yourselves—in spite of the enemy having invaded your country and done what you could be certain that he would do, if you refused to comply with his demands; and although besides what we counted for, the plague has come upon us—the only point indeed at which our calculation has been at fault. It is this, I know, that has had a large share in making me more unpopular than I should otherwise have been—quite undeservedly, unless you are also prepared to give me the credit of any success with which chance may present you. Besides, the hand of heaven must be borne with resignation, that of the enemy with fortitude; this was the old way at Athens, and do not you prevent it being so still. Remember, too, that if your country has the greatest name in all the world, it is because she never bent before disaster; because she has expended more life and effort in war than any other city, and has won for herself a power greater than any hitherto known, the memory of which will descend to the latest posterity; even if now, in obedience to the general law of decay, we should ever be forced to yield, still it will be remembered that we held rule over more Hellenes than any other Hellenic state, that we sustained the greatest wars against their united or separate powers, and inhabited a city unrivalled by any other in resources or magnitude. These glories may incur the censure of the slow and unambitious; but in the breast of energy they will awake emulation, and in those who must remain without them an envious regret. Hatred and unpopularity at the moment have fallen to the lot of all who have aspired to rule others; but where odium must be incurred, true wisdom incurs it for the highest objects. Hatred also is short-lived; but that which makes the splendour of the present and the glory of the future remains for ever unforgotten. Make your decision, therefore, for glory then and honour now, and attain both objects by instant and zealous effort: do not send heralds to Lacedaemon, and do not betray any sign of being oppressed by your present sufferings, since they whose minds are least sensitive to calamity, and whose hands are most quick to meet it, are the greatest men and the greatest communities.”
Modern Translation
But you must not be swayed by citizens like these, nor should you be angry with me—for if I advocated war, I only did what you yourselves voted to do—even though the enemy has invaded our territory and done exactly what we could have predicted he would do if we rejected his demands. Moreover, beyond what we anticipated, the plague has struck us—indeed, this is the only point where our calculations have proven wrong. I know this has contributed significantly to making me more unpopular than I would otherwise be—quite unjustly, unless you're also prepared to credit me for any successes that fortune may bring us. Furthermore, we must accept the afflictions sent by the gods with resignation, while facing those inflicted by our enemies with courage; this has always been the Athenian way, and you should not abandon it now. Remember also that if our city enjoys the greatest reputation in the entire world, it is because she has never yielded to disaster; because she has invested more lives and effort in warfare than any other city, and has built for herself a power surpassing any previously known, whose memory will endure for all future generations. Even if now, following the universal law of decline, we should someday be compelled to surrender our position, it will still be remembered that we ruled over more Greeks than any other Greek state, that we endured the greatest wars against their combined or individual forces, and that we inhabited a city unmatched by any other in resources or greatness. These achievements may draw criticism from the sluggish and unambitious; but in energetic hearts they will inspire emulation, and in those who lack such accomplishments, envious resentment. Hatred and unpopularity in the present moment have been the fate of all who have sought to rule others; but where hostility must be endured, true wisdom accepts it for the noblest purposes. Hatred, moreover, is fleeting; but that which creates present splendor and future glory endures forever in memory. Therefore, make your choice for future glory and present honor, and achieve both through immediate and passionate action: send no ambassadors to Sparta, and show no sign of being crushed by your current hardships, for those whose spirits are least affected by disaster, and whose actions most readily confront it, are the greatest individuals and the greatest nations.
Historical Context
This passage is 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 approximately one-third of the population. The Athenians, following Pericles' strategy, have abandoned their countryside and crowded within the city walls, leading to terrible conditions. Public opinion has turned against Pericles, blaming him for their sufferings. In response, Pericles delivers this defiant speech defending his policies and urging the Athenians to maintain their resolve. This is his last major speech before his own death from the plague later that year. The speech represents a crucial moment when Athenian imperial confidence confronts the harsh realities of war and disease.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Plague of Athens
The plague that struck Athens in 430-429 BCE was likely typhus or typhoid fever. It killed an estimated 75,000-100,000 people, including Pericles himself. The overcrowding caused by Pericles' defensive strategy created ideal conditions for the disease to spread rapidly through the population.
Learn more →Periclean Strategy
Pericles' defensive strategy relied on Athens' naval supremacy and long walls connecting the city to its port. He advised avoiding land battles with Sparta's superior army, instead allowing them to ravage Attica while Athens used its fleet to raid the Peloponnese.
Learn more →Athenian Empire
By 431 BCE, Athens controlled an empire of over 200 tributary states. This passage reflects the imperial ideology that justified Athenian rule through a combination of power, cultural superiority, and historical destiny—themes central to understanding Athens' self-perception.
Learn more →Greek Concepts of Glory (Kleos)
Pericles invokes the traditional Greek concept of kleos (glory/fame) that survives death. This aristocratic value, prominent in Homer, is here democratized and applied to the entire polis, showing how Athens adapted traditional values to support imperial ambitions.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (34-35)
Plutarch describes the same period, noting how the plague and war turned the people against Pericles, leading to his trial and fine. He emphasizes Pericles' steadfastness despite personal tragedies.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.45-46)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of the plague and its effects on Athenian morale, though with less detail than Thucydides. He emphasizes the religious interpretations of the disaster.
Read passage →Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (27.3-4)
Aristotle briefly mentions Pericles' leadership during this crisis and his temporary loss of power, providing constitutional context for how Athenian democracy functioned under extreme stress.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Pericles attempt to shift blame for Athens' suffering? Is his argument that the plague was unpredictable convincing, given his strategy concentrated the population?
- What role does the concept of eternal glory play in Pericles' argument? How might this appeal have sounded to Athenians dying of plague?
- Pericles claims that hatred is the price of empire. How does this relate to modern discussions about the costs and benefits of global power?
- Is Pericles' vision of Athens fundamentally optimistic or pessimistic? How does he reconcile the 'law of decay' with his call for continued resistance?