Today's Passage
This passage is from the Theban speech at the trial of the Plataeans before Spartan judges in 427 BCE.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“The origin of our quarrel was this. We settled Plataea some time after the rest of Boeotia, together with other places out of which we had driven the mixed population. The Plataeans not choosing to recognize our supremacy, as had been first arranged, but separating themselves from the rest of the Boeotians, and proving traitors to their nationality, we used compulsion; upon which they went over to the Athenians, and with them did as much harm, for which we retaliated.
“Next, when the barbarian invaded Hellas, they say that they were the only Boeotians who did not Medize; and this is where they most glorify themselves and abuse us. We say that if they did not Medize, it was because the Athenians did not do so either; just as afterwards when the Athenians attacked the Hellenes they, the Plataeans, were again the only Boeotians who Atticized. And yet consider the forms of our respective governments when we so acted. Our city at that juncture had neither an oligarchical constitution in which all the nobles enjoyed equal rights, nor a democracy, but that which is most opposed to law and good government and nearest a tyranny—the rule of a close cabal. These, hoping to strengthen their individual power by the success of the Mede, kept down by force the people, and brought him into the town. The city as a whole was not its own mistress when it so acted, and ought not to be reproached for the errors that it committed while deprived of its constitution. Examine only how we acted after the departure of the Mede and the recovery of the constitution; when the Athenians attacked the rest of Hellas and endeavoured to subjugate our country, of the greater part of which faction had already made them masters. Did not we fight and conquer at Coronea and liberate Boeotia, and do we not now actively contribute to the liberation of the rest, providing horses to the cause and a force unequalled by that of any other state in the confederacy?
Modern Translation
The origin of our dispute was as follows. We Thebans established Plataea after settling the rest of Boeotia, along with other territories from which we had expelled the mixed populations. The Plataeans refused to accept our leadership, as had been originally agreed, and instead separated themselves from the other Boeotians, betraying their ethnic kinship. We attempted to enforce our authority, but they defected to the Athenians and joined them in inflicting considerable damage on us, for which we sought revenge.
Next, when the Persian invaded Greece, they claim they were the only Boeotians who did not side with the Persians—and this is their greatest source of pride and their chief accusation against us. We maintain that if they did not collaborate with the Persians, it was only because the Athenians did not either; similarly, when the Athenians later attacked the Greeks, the Plataeans were again the only Boeotians to side with Athens. Yet consider the nature of our respective governments at these critical moments. Our city at that time possessed neither an oligarchy where all nobles shared equal rights, nor a democracy, but rather the form of government most contrary to law and good order and closest to tyranny—rule by a narrow clique. These men, hoping to increase their personal power through Persian success, forcibly suppressed the people and admitted the invader into our city. The city as a whole was not in control of its own affairs when this occurred, and should not be blamed for mistakes made while deprived of its proper constitution. Consider instead our actions after the Persian withdrawal and the restoration of our constitution: when the Athenians attacked the rest of Greece and attempted to subjugate our territory, much of which factional strife had already delivered into their hands. Did we not fight and triumph at Coronea, liberating Boeotia? And do we not now actively work for the liberation of all Greece, contributing cavalry and forces unmatched by any other allied state?
Historical Context
This passage is from the Theban speech at the trial of the Plataeans before Spartan judges in 427 BCE. After a long siege, Plataea has fallen to the Peloponnesians, and the Thebans are arguing why the Plataeans deserve no mercy. The speaker addresses the complex history between Thebes and Plataea, including Plataea's alignment with Athens against other Boeotian cities. The Thebans defend their own Persian collaboration (Medism) during Xerxes' invasion in 480 BCE while condemning Plataea's consistent alliance with Athens. This speech exemplifies Thucydides' interest in how speakers manipulate historical narratives to serve present political needs. The outcome will be the execution of all Plataean defenders and the city's destruction.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Medism in the Persian Wars
Medism refers to Greek states collaborating with the Persian Empire during the invasions of 490 and 480 BCE. Thebes notoriously supported Xerxes, while Plataea fought alongside Athens at Marathon and Plataea. The term became a powerful political accusation in later Greek interstate relations.
Learn more →Battle of Coronea (447 BCE)
A decisive Boeotian victory over Athens that ended Athenian control of Boeotia. The Thebans cite this as proof of their resistance to Athenian imperialism, contrasting it with Plataea's collaboration. This battle marked a significant check on Athenian land power.
Learn more →Boeotian League
A federal organization of Boeotian cities under Theban hegemony. Plataea's refusal to join this league and its alliance with Athens created lasting tensions that contributed to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.
Learn more →Constitutional Forms in Greek Politics
The speaker distinguishes between oligarchy, democracy, and dynasty (narrow junta). This reflects sophisticated Greek political theory about legitimate government forms versus tyranny, used here to excuse Theban Medism as the act of an illegitimate regime.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Herodotus: Histories (Book 9.1-89)
Herodotus provides the detailed account of the Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) and Theban Medism that forms the historical background to this speech. He presents Plataea as heroically resisting Persia alongside Athens.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Aristides (Chapters 18-21)
Plutarch describes the Battle of Plataea and emphasizes the Plataeans' loyalty to the Greek cause, providing a perspective sympathetic to Plataea contra the Theban argument here.
Read passage →Pausanias: Description of Greece (Book 9.1-4)
Pausanias recounts the destruction of Plataea and preserves local traditions about the city's relationship with Athens and conflicts with Thebes, offering archaeological and memorial evidence.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the speaker manipulate the historical narrative of Medism to excuse Theban collaboration while condemning Plataean loyalty to Athens?
- What does this passage reveal about the tension between ethnic/regional identity (being 'Boeotian') and political alliance in ancient Greece?
- How does the constitutional argument (that Thebes wasn't responsible because it was under tyranny) reflect broader Greek ideas about political legitimacy and responsibility?
- In what ways does this speech illustrate the role of historical precedent and interpretation in Greek diplomatic and legal arguments?