Today's Passage
This passage occurs in 428 BCE during the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Meanwhile the envoys of the Mitylenians sent out in the first ship were told by the Lacedaemonians to come to Olympia, in order that the rest of the allies might hear them and decide upon their matter, and so they journeyed thither. It was the Olympiad in which the Rhodian Dorieus gained his second victory, and the envoys having been introduced to make their speech after the festival, spoke as follows:
“Lacedaemonians and allies, the rule established among the Hellenes is not unknown to us. Those who revolt in war and forsake their former confederacy are favourably regarded by those who receive them, in so far as they are of use to them, but otherwise are thought less well of, through being considered traitors to their former friends. Nor is this an unfair way of judging, where the rebels and the power from whom they secede are at one in policy and sympathy, and a match for each other in resources and power, and where no reasonable ground exists for the rebellion. But with us and the Athenians this was not the case; and no one need think the worse of us for revolting from them in danger, after having been honoured by them in time of peace.
“Justice and honesty will be the first topics of our speech, especially as we are asking for alliance; because we know that there can never be any solid friendship between individuals, or union between communities that is worth the name, unless the parties be persuaded of each other’s honesty, and be generally congenial the one to the other; since from difference in feeling springs also difference in conduct. Between ourselves and the Athenians alliance began, when you withdrew from the Median War and they remained to finish the business. But we did not become allies of the Athenians for the subjugation of the Hellenes, but allies of the Hellenes for their liberation from the Mede; and as long as the Athenians led us fairly we followed them loyally; but when we saw them relax their hostility to the Mede, to try to compass the subjection of the allies, then our apprehensions began. Unable, however, to unite and defend themselves, on account of the number of confederates that had votes, all the allies were enslaved, except ourselves and the Chians, who continued to send our contingents as independent and nominally free. Trust in Athens as a leader, however, we could no longer feel, judging by the examples already given; it being unlikely that she would reduce our fellow confederates, and not do the same by us who were left, if ever she had the power.
Modern Translation
During this time, the ambassadors from Mytilene who had been sent on the first ship were instructed by the Spartans to proceed to Olympia. The purpose was for the other allied states to hear their case and reach a decision on their request. They made the journey accordingly. This was the same Olympic Games where Dorieus of Rhodes won his second victory. After the festival concluded, the ambassadors were given permission to address the assembly and spoke as follows:
"Spartans and allies, we are well aware of the accepted practice among the Greeks. Those who switch sides during wartime and abandon their previous alliance are welcomed by their new partners to the extent that they prove useful, but are simultaneously regarded with suspicion as traitors to their former comrades. This judgment is not unfair when the rebels and the power they abandon share common policies and mutual understanding, possess comparable resources and strength, and when there exists no legitimate cause for rebellion. However, our situation with Athens differs fundamentally from this model, and no one should condemn us for abandoning them in their hour of danger after they honored us during peacetime.
"We begin our appeal with justice and integrity, particularly since we seek an alliance with you. We understand that neither lasting friendship between individuals nor meaningful partnership between states can exist without mutual conviction of each other's integrity and a general compatibility of character. Differences in values inevitably produce differences in action. Our alliance with Athens originated when you withdrew from the Persian War while they remained to complete the campaign. However, we did not ally ourselves with Athens to enslave fellow Greeks, but rather joined a Greek alliance to secure freedom from Persian domination. As long as Athens exercised fair leadership, we followed loyally. But when we observed them relaxing their opposition to Persia while simultaneously attempting to subjugate their allies, our fears intensified. The allies, unable to unite in self-defense due to their fragmented voting structure, were systematically enslaved—all except ourselves and Chios, who continued contributing forces while maintaining nominal independence and freedom. Yet we could no longer trust Athenian leadership, given these precedents. It seemed improbable that they would subjugate our fellow allies while sparing those of us who remained, should they ever acquire sufficient power."
Historical Context
This passage occurs in 428 BCE during the fourth year of the Peloponnesian War. The city of Mytilene on Lesbos, one of Athens' last remaining autonomous allies, has revolted against Athenian control. Their ambassadors have traveled to Olympia to address the Peloponnesian League, seeking Spartan support for their rebellion. This speech represents a crucial diplomatic moment where Mytilene attempts to justify their defection from Athens by arguing that the Athenians have transformed from liberators into oppressors. The setting at Olympia during the Olympic Games ensures maximum attendance from Greek states, making this a highly public appeal. The Mytilenean argument centers on the transformation of the Delian League from a voluntary anti-Persian alliance into an Athenian empire, a key theme throughout Thucydides' work.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Olympic Games
The ancient Olympic Games occurred every four years and served as both an athletic competition and a pan-Hellenic gathering. The Olympic truce (ekecheiria) allowed safe passage for all Greeks, making it an ideal venue for diplomatic negotiations. Dorieus of Rhodes was a famous athlete who won the pankration three times (432, 428, and 424 BCE).
Learn more →The Delian League
Originally founded in 478 BCE as a defensive alliance against Persia, the Delian League gradually transformed into the Athenian Empire. Member states initially contributed ships or money voluntarily, but Athens increasingly treated them as subjects rather than allies, using force to prevent defections and moving the treasury from Delos to Athens in 454 BCE.
Learn more →Mytilene and Lesbos
Lesbos was one of the largest Aegean islands and among Athens' most important allies. Unlike most league members who paid tribute, Mytilene and Chios retained their fleets and nominal autonomy. Mytilene's revolt in 428 BCE represented a serious threat to Athenian power, as it could inspire other subject states to rebel.
Learn more →Greek Diplomatic Rhetoric
This speech exemplifies the sophisticated argumentation typical of Greek diplomacy. The Mytileneans employ ethical arguments (justice and honesty), historical precedent (the original purpose of the alliance), and pragmatic considerations (Athens' transformation into a tyrant). Such speeches were crucial in swaying public opinion and securing alliances.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (23-24)
Aristotle describes the transformation of the Delian League into the Athenian Empire, corroborating the Mytilenean claim about Athens' shift from leader to master of the alliance.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (12)
Plutarch discusses how Pericles justified moving the Delian League treasury to Athens and using it for building projects, illustrating the imperial transformation that the Mytileneans protest.
Read passage →Herodotus: Histories (8.3)
Herodotus describes the original formation of the Hellenic alliance against Persia, providing background for the Mytileneans' distinction between the alliance's original anti-Persian purpose and its later transformation.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How do the Mytileneans attempt to preempt criticism of their rebellion? Is their distinction between justified and unjustified revolt convincing?
- What does this speech reveal about the transformation of the Delian League? How do alliances change over time?
- The Mytileneans claim that 'difference in feeling springs also difference in conduct.' How does this principle apply to international relations today?
- Why do the Mytileneans emphasize justice and honesty at the beginning of their appeal? What role does moral argumentation play in power politics?