Today's Passage
This passage presents the climactic appeal of the Mytilenaean envoys to the Spartan assembly in 428 BCE.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Such, Lacedaemonians and allies, are the grounds and the reasons of our revolt; clear enough to convince our hearers of the fairness of our conduct, and sufficient to alarm ourselves, and to make us turn to some means of safety. This we wished to do long ago, when we sent to you on the subject while the peace yet lasted, but were balked by your refusing to receive us; and now, upon the Boeotians inviting us, we at once responded to the call, and decided upon a twofold revolt, from the Hellenes and from the Athenians, not to aid the latter in harming the former, but to join in their liberation, and not to allow the Athenians in the end to destroy us, but to act in time against them. Our revolt, however, has taken place prematurely and without preparation—a fact which makes it all the more incumbent on you to receive us into alliance and to send us speedy relief, in order to show that you support your friends, and at the same time do harm to your enemies. You have an opportunity such as you never had before. Disease and expenditure have wasted the Athenians: their ships are either cruising round your coasts, or engaged in blockading us; and it is not probable that they will have any to spare, if you invade them a second time this summer by sea and land; but they will either offer no resistance to your vessels, or withdraw from both our shores. Nor must it be thought that this is a case of putting yourselves into danger for a country which is not yours. Lesbos may appear far off, but when help is wanted she will be found near enough. It is not in Attica that the war will be decided, as some imagine, but in the countries by which Attica is supported; and the Athenian revenue is drawn from the allies, and will become still larger if they reduce us; as not only will no other state revolt, but our resources will be added to theirs, and we shall be treated worse than those that were enslaved before. But if you will frankly support us, you will add to your side a state that has a large navy, which is your great want; you will smooth the way to the overthrow of the Athenians by depriving them of their allies, who will be greatly encouraged to come over; and you will free yourselves from the imputation made against you, of not supporting insurrection. In short, only show yourselves as liberators, and you may count upon having the advantage in the war.
“Respect, therefore, the hopes placed in you by the Hellenes, and that Olympian Zeus, in whose temple we stand as very suppliants; become the allies and defenders of the Mitylenians, and do not sacrifice us, who put our lives upon the hazard, in a cause in which general good will result to all from our success, and still more general harm if we fail through your refusing to help us; but be the men that the Hellenes think you, and our fears desire.”
Modern Translation
These, Spartans and allies, are the grounds and justifications for our rebellion—clear enough to demonstrate to our audience that we have acted fairly, and serious enough to alarm us into seeking some form of protection. We wanted to take this step long ago, when we approached you about it while peace still prevailed, but were prevented by your refusal to accept us. Now, when the Boeotians invited us, we immediately answered their call and resolved upon a double revolt: from the Greek alliance and from Athens—not to help Athens harm other Greeks, but to participate in their liberation, and not to wait passively for Athens to eventually destroy us, but to strike first against them. Our rebellion, however, has come too early and without adequate preparation—which makes it even more crucial that you accept us as allies and send immediate assistance, thereby demonstrating that you support your friends while simultaneously damaging your enemies. You have an unprecedented opportunity before you. Disease and financial strain have weakened the Athenians: their fleet is either patrolling your coastlines or blockading us, and they probably won't have ships to spare if you launch a second invasion this summer by both sea and land. They will either be unable to resist your naval forces or will have to withdraw from both our waters. Don't think that you're endangering yourselves for a foreign country. Lesbos may seem distant, but when assistance is needed, she will prove close enough. The war won't be decided in Attica, as some believe, but in the territories that sustain Attica. Athenian revenue comes from their allies and will only increase if they subjugate us—not only will no other state dare revolt, but our resources will be added to theirs, and we'll suffer worse treatment than those enslaved before us. But if you openly support us, you'll gain an ally with a substantial navy, which is precisely what you need. You'll facilitate Athens' downfall by stripping away their allies, who will be greatly emboldened to defect, and you'll dispel the accusation that you don't support rebellions. Simply put, if you present yourselves as liberators, you can expect to gain the upper hand in this war.
Therefore, honor the hopes the Greeks have placed in you and respect Olympian Zeus, in whose temple we stand as suppliants. Become the allies and protectors of the Mytilenaeans, and don't abandon us when we risk our lives in a cause whose success will benefit everyone, while our failure through your refusal to help will harm all. Be the leaders the Greeks believe you to be, and that we desperately need you to be.
Historical Context
This passage presents the climactic appeal of the Mytilenaean envoys to the Spartan assembly in 428 BCE. Mytilene, the principal city of Lesbos and one of Athens' last autonomous allies, has revolted from the Athenian empire. Their ambassadors are desperately seeking Spartan military support before Athens can crush their rebellion. The speech emphasizes timing—Athens is weakened by plague and overextended militarily—and frames Mytilene's revolt as part of the larger struggle for Greek freedom against Athenian imperialism. The envoys invoke religious sanctuary (they're speaking in a temple) and appeal to Sparta's reputation as the liberator of Greece, while warning that Mytilene's fall would strengthen Athens economically and discourage future revolts.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Mytilenaean Revolt
Mytilene's rebellion (428-427 BCE) was significant as one of Athens' last autonomous allies with a navy. The revolt threatened Athens' imperial system and occurred when Athens was vulnerable due to plague and war expenses. Its failure resulted in harsh Athenian reprisals.
Learn more →Athenian Empire Economics
The passage highlights how Athens' power depended on tribute from allied states. This revenue funded Athens' navy and democracy. The loss of a major ally like Mytilene would both reduce income and require expensive military operations to suppress.
Learn more →Greek Suppliancy
The speakers invoke their status as suppliants in Zeus' temple, a powerful religious and diplomatic gesture. Suppliants were under divine protection, and refusing them could bring religious pollution and divine punishment.
Learn more →Spartan Liberation Ideology
Sparta consistently portrayed itself as the liberator of Greece from Athenian tyranny. This propaganda was central to Spartan war aims and diplomacy, though their actual treatment of 'liberated' cities often disappointed expectations.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (24.2)
Discusses how Athens used allied tribute to maintain its democracy and navy, explaining why losing Mytilene would be economically devastating as the envoys claim.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (2.2.3)
Describes similar appeals by Athens' subjects to Sparta for liberation near the war's end, showing the persistence of this liberation rhetoric throughout the conflict.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.55)
Provides an alternative account of the Mytilenaean revolt, offering different details about the negotiations and Sparta's response to these appeals.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How do the Mytilenaean envoys balance moral arguments about freedom with practical considerations about power and resources?
- What does this speech reveal about the nature of alliances in the ancient Greek world—are they based on principle or expedience?
- How might the Athenians have responded to the claim that their empire enslaves Greeks? Is there validity to the Mytilenaean portrayal?
- The envoys claim their revolt was 'premature and without preparation.' What does this admission suggest about the difficulties of resisting imperial power?