Today's Passage
This passage comes from the Mytilenean Debate in 427 BCE, where the Athenian Assembly reconvenes to reconsider their harsh decision to execute all male citizens of Mytilene and enslave the women and children after the city's failed revolt.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire, and never more so than by your present change of mind in the matter of Mitylene. Fears or plots being unknown to you in your daily relations with each other, you feel just the same with regard to your allies, and never reflect that the mistakes into which you may be led by listening to their appeals, or by giving way to your own compassion, are full of danger to yourselves, and bring you no thanks for your weakness from your allies; entirely forgetting that your empire is a despotism and your subjects disaffected conspirators, whose obedience is ensured not by your suicidal concessions, but by the superiority given you by your own strength and not their loyalty. The most alarming feature in the case is the constant change of measures with which we appear to be threatened, and our seeming ignorance of the fact that bad laws which are never changed are better for a city than good ones that have no authority; that unlearned loyalty is more serviceable than quick-witted insubordination; and that ordinary men usually manage public affairs better than their more gifted fellows. The latter are always wanting to appear wiser than the laws, and to overrule every proposition brought forward, thinking that they cannot show their wit in more important matters, and by such behaviour too often ruin their country; while those who mistrust their own cleverness are content to be less learned than the laws, and less able to pick holes in the speech of a good speaker; and being fair judges rather than rival athletes, generally conduct affairs successfully. These we ought to imitate, instead of being led on by cleverness and intellectual rivalry to advise your people against our real opinions.
Modern Translation
Time and again I have become convinced that democracy is incompatible with maintaining an empire, and your current reversal regarding Mytilene proves this point more clearly than ever. Because you live without fear of conspiracy in your daily interactions with fellow citizens, you assume the same goodwill exists with your subject allies. You fail to recognize that when you yield to their pleas or surrender to compassion, such mistakes endanger yourselves while earning no gratitude from those you rule. You forget entirely that your empire is a tyranny, governing subjects who constantly plot against you—their compliance comes not from your self-destructive leniency but from the power you maintain through strength, not their affection. Most troubling is this pattern of constantly reversing our decisions, and our apparent blindness to the truth that unchanging mediocre laws serve a city better than excellent laws that lack consistent enforcement; that simple-minded dependability proves more valuable than brilliant disobedience; and that average citizens typically govern more effectively than their intellectually superior counterparts. These clever men perpetually seek to demonstrate their wisdom by challenging established laws and contradicting every proposal, believing they must display their intelligence on every issue, thereby frequently destroying their nation. Meanwhile, those who doubt their own brilliance remain satisfied to know less than the laws require and lack the skill to demolish a compelling argument. Acting as impartial arbiters rather than competitive performers, they usually achieve success in governance. We should emulate these humble citizens rather than let intellectual vanity and competitive wit lead us to counsel against our genuine convictions.
Historical Context
This passage comes from the Mytilenean Debate in 427 BCE, where the Athenian Assembly reconvenes to reconsider their harsh decision to execute all male citizens of Mytilene and enslave the women and children after the city's failed revolt. The speaker is Cleon, Athens' most prominent demagogue after Pericles' death, who advocates maintaining the original brutal punishment. He argues against reopening debate, claiming that democratic fickleness undermines imperial power. This speech exemplifies the tension between Athens' democratic values and imperial necessities, occurring during a critical period when Athens faced multiple revolts. Cleon's argument that democracy and empire are incompatible would prove prophetic for Athens' eventual defeat.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Democracy and Empire
Cleon articulates the fundamental contradiction between Athens' democratic governance at home and autocratic rule abroad. This tension between democratic values and imperial power became increasingly problematic as the war progressed, forcing Athens to act against its stated principles.
Learn more →The Mytilenean Debate
This famous debate showcases Athenian democratic deliberation at a crucial moment. The Assembly's decision to reconsider their harsh verdict demonstrates both the strength and weakness of democratic decision-making during wartime.
Learn more →Cleon the Demagogue
Cleon represents a new type of Athenian politician—a leather merchant rather than aristocrat, known for his aggressive rhetoric and hawkish policies. Thucydides portrays him critically as the embodiment of democratic excess and imperial brutality.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Political Theory
Cleon's critique of intellectual cleverness versus practical wisdom echoes broader Greek debates about the role of sophistic education in politics. His anti-intellectual stance appeals to popular prejudices against sophisticated rhetoric.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Aristotle: Politics (Book 5, Chapter 7 (1307b))
Aristotle discusses how democracies transform into tyrannies when they acquire empire, echoing Cleon's argument about the incompatibility of democratic governance with imperial rule.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 2, Chapter 3.24-56)
Xenophon's account of the Thirty Tyrants' debates about executing citizens shows similar arguments about the necessity of harsh measures to maintain power.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (Chapters 6-7)
Plutarch describes Cleon's political style and rivalry with Nicias, providing additional context for understanding Cleon's rhetorical approach and political philosophy.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- Is Cleon correct that democracy and empire are fundamentally incompatible? How do modern democracies handle this tension?
- What are the merits and dangers of Cleon's anti-intellectual argument about governance? When might 'ordinary' wisdom surpass clever innovation?
- How does the ability to reconsider decisions strengthen or weaken democratic governance, especially in times of crisis?
- Does maintaining power ever justify abandoning moral principles? How should democracies balance security with their stated values?