Today's Passage
This passage comes from the Corcyraean ambassadors' speech to the Athenian assembly in 433 BCE, seeking alliance against Corinth.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“If she asserts that for you to receive a colony of hers into alliance is not right, let her know that every colony that is well treated honours its parent state, but becomes estranged from it by injustice. For colonists are not sent forth on the understanding that they are to be the slaves of those that remain behind, but that they are to be their equals. And that Corinth was injuring us is clear. Invited to refer the dispute about Epidamnus to arbitration, they chose to prosecute their complaints war rather than by a fair trial. And let their conduct towards us who are their kindred be a warning to you not to be misled by their deceit, nor to yield to their direct requests; concessions to adversaries only end in self-reproach, and the more strictly they are avoided the greater will be the chance of security.
“If it be urged that your reception of us will be a breach of the treaty existing between you and Lacedaemon, the answer is that we are a neutral state, and that one of the express provisions of that treaty is that it shall be competent for any Hellenic state that is neutral to join whichever side it pleases. And it is intolerable for Corinth to be allowed to obtain men for her navy not only from her allies, but also from the rest of Hellas, no small number being furnished by your own subjects; while we are to be excluded both from the alliance left open to us by treaty, and from any assistance that we might get from other quarters, and you are to be accused of political immorality if you comply with our request. On the other hand, we shall have much greater cause to complain of you, if you do not comply with it; if we, who are in peril and are no enemies of yours, meet with a repulse at your hands, while Corinth, who is the aggressor and your enemy, not only meets with no hindrance from you, but is even allowed to draw material for war from your dependencies. This ought not to be, but you should either forbid her enlisting men in your dominions, or you should lend us too what help you may think advisable.
Modern Translation
If Corinth claims that it's improper for you to accept her colony as an ally, she should understand that while colonies honor their mother cities when treated well, they become alienated through unjust treatment. Colonists aren't sent out to become slaves to those who stay behind, but to be their equals. Corinth's injustice toward us is evident. When invited to submit the Epidamnus dispute to arbitration, they preferred pursuing their grievances through war rather than fair judgment. Let their treatment of us, their kinsmen, warn you against being deceived by their tricks or yielding to their direct appeals. Concessions to opponents lead only to self-reproach, and the more carefully they're avoided, the greater your security.
If someone argues that accepting us violates your treaty with Sparta, remember that we're a neutral state, and the treaty explicitly allows any neutral Greek state to join whichever side it chooses. It's intolerable that Corinth can recruit naval forces not just from her allies but from all Greece, including many of your own subjects, while we're barred both from the alliance treaty permits us and from any other assistance, and you're accused of impropriety if you help us. We'll have far greater cause for complaint if you refuse us. We who face danger and aren't your enemies would be rejected, while Corinth, the aggressor and your enemy, faces no opposition from you and even draws military resources from your territories. This shouldn't be. Either prohibit her from recruiting in your dominions, or provide us whatever assistance you deem appropriate.
Historical Context
This passage comes from the Corcyraean ambassadors' speech to the Athenian assembly in 433 BCE, seeking alliance against Corinth. The dispute originated over Epidamnus, a colony of Corcyra (itself a colony of Corinth), where civil strife led to Corinthian intervention. The Corcyraeans, possessing the second-largest navy in Greece, offered Athens significant naval power. This debate proved crucial in precipitating the Peloponnesian War, as Athens' eventual defensive alliance with Corcyra led to the Battle of Sybota and escalated tensions with Sparta. The speech demonstrates sophisticated diplomatic rhetoric, appealing to Athenian self-interest while portraying Corinth as the aggressor.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Colonization
Greek colonies (apoikiai) maintained religious and cultural ties with their mother cities (metropoleis) but were politically independent. The Corcyraeans invoke this principle to justify their autonomy from Corinth, highlighting tensions inherent in colonial relationships.
Learn more →Arbitration in Ancient Greece
Arbitration was a common method of resolving inter-state disputes peacefully. The Corcyraeans' emphasis on Corinth's refusal of arbitration portrays them as violating Greek diplomatic norms, strengthening Corcyra's moral position.
Learn more →The Thirty Years' Peace
The treaty between Athens and Sparta (446/5 BCE) included provisions for neutral states. The Corcyraeans cleverly argue their case fits within the treaty's framework, attempting to neutralize Athenian fears of violating the peace.
Learn more →Naval Recruitment
Naval powers recruited rowers and marines widely across the Greek world. The Corcyraeans highlight the unfairness of Corinth recruiting from Athenian territories while Athens remains neutral, appealing to Athenian imperial interests.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.30-33)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Corcyra-Corinth conflict and the diplomatic exchanges, though with less detail than Thucydides on the specific arguments presented.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29)
Plutarch describes Pericles' role in the Corcyraean alliance decision, emphasizing how this diplomatic choice contributed to the war's outbreak and Pericles' strategic calculations.
Read passage →Aristotle: Politics (1303b)
Aristotle discusses colonial relationships and mentions Epidamnus as an example of how constitutional changes in colonies could lead to conflicts with mother cities.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the Corcyraean argument about colonial equality reflect broader tensions in Greek interstate relations? What modern parallels might exist?
- Analyze the rhetorical strategy of framing Corinth's recruitment practices as unfair. How does this appeal to Athenian imperial interests?
- Is the Corcyraean interpretation of the Thirty Years' Peace legally sound, or merely convenient? What does this suggest about international law in ancient Greece?
- How might Athens' decision on this matter reflect the tension between moral obligations and strategic interests in foreign policy?