Today's Passage
This passage occurs during the Pylos affair of 425 BCE, when Athenian forces had fortified Pylos and trapped Spartan hoplites on the island of Sphacteria.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Nicias, seeing the Athenians murmuring against Cleon for not sailing now if it seemed to him so easy, and further seeing himself the object of attack, told him that for all that the generals cared, he might take what force he chose and make the attempt. At first Cleon fancied that this resignation was merely a figure of speech, and was ready to go, but finding that it was seriously meant, he drew back, and said that Nicias, not he, was general, being now frightened, and having never supposed that Nicias would go so far as to retire in his favour. Nicias, however, repeated his offer, and resigned the command against Pylos, and called the Athenians to witness that he did so. And as the multitude is wont to do, the more Cleon shrank from the expedition and tried to back out of what he had said, the more they encouraged Nicias to hand over his command, and clamoured at Cleon to go. At last, not knowing how to get out of his words, he undertook the expedition, and came forward and said that he was not afraid of the Lacedaemonians, but would sail without taking any one from the city with him, except the Lemnians and Imbrians that were at Athens, with some targeteers that had come up from Aenus, and four hundred archers from other quarters. With these and the soldiers at Pylos, he would within twenty days either bring the Lacedaemonians alive, or kill them on the spot. The Athenians could not help laughing at his fatuity, while sensible men comforted themselves with the reflection that they must gain in either circumstance; either they would be rid of Cleon, which they rather hoped, or if disappointed in this expectation, would reduce the Lacedaemonians.
Modern Translation
When Nicias observed the Athenians grumbling at Cleon for refusing to sail when he claimed the task was so simple, and noticed that he himself had become a target of criticism, he told Cleon that the generals had no objection if he wanted to select whatever forces he desired and attempt the mission. Initially, Cleon assumed this offer was mere rhetoric and eagerly accepted, but upon realizing Nicias was serious, he retreated, insisting that Nicias, not he, held the position of general. He was now genuinely alarmed, having never imagined that Nicias would actually step aside in his favor. Nevertheless, Nicias reiterated his proposal, formally relinquishing command of the Pylos operation, and summoned the Athenians as witnesses to his resignation. As crowds typically behave, the more desperately Cleon attempted to withdraw from the venture and retract his statements, the more vehemently they urged Nicias to transfer his command and shouted for Cleon to proceed. Finally, unable to escape his own rhetoric, he accepted the mission. Coming forward, he declared he had no fear of the Spartans and would sail without recruiting anyone from Athens itself, taking only the Lemnian and Imbrian troops currently in the city, along with some light-armed soldiers who had arrived from Aenus and four hundred archers from various locations. With these forces and the troops already stationed at Pylos, he promised to either capture the Spartans alive or kill them within twenty days. The Athenians couldn't suppress their laughter at his absurd boasting, while the more prudent citizens consoled themselves with the thought that they would benefit regardless of the outcome: either they would be freed from Cleon, which they preferred, or failing that, they would defeat the Spartans.
Historical Context
This passage occurs during the Pylos affair of 425 BCE, when Athenian forces had fortified Pylos and trapped Spartan hoplites on the island of Sphacteria. The Athenian assembly is debating how to proceed after peace negotiations failed. Cleon, a populist politician and harsh critic of the generals, had been attacking their handling of the situation. Nicias, a cautious aristocratic general, cleverly turns the tables by offering Cleon command of the expedition. This political theater reveals the volatile nature of Athenian democracy, where demagogues could be forced to back up their rhetoric with action. The episode becomes a turning point when Cleon, against all expectations, actually succeeds in his mission, capturing the Spartans and shocking the Greek world.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Democracy
This scene illustrates the direct democracy of Athens, where citizens in the assembly could make immediate military decisions and where political rhetoric could quickly translate into actual command. The crowd's behavior shows both the volatility and accountability inherent in the system.
Learn more →Cleon the Demagogue
Cleon represents a new type of politician in Athens - not from the traditional aristocracy but from the commercial class. His aggressive rhetoric and populist appeals made him powerful but also vulnerable to challenges like Nicias's clever maneuver here.
Learn more →Battle of Sphacteria
The military situation involved Spartan hoplites trapped on Sphacteria island near Pylos. Their potential capture represented an unprecedented opportunity for Athens, as Spartans traditionally fought to the death rather than surrender.
Learn more →Lemnians and Imbrians
These were Athenian cleruchs (colonists) from the islands of Lemnos and Imbros. As reliable troops with Athenian loyalty but not full citizens, they represented an important military resource that wouldn't deplete Athens' citizen forces.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (7.1-4)
Plutarch describes this same incident, emphasizing Nicias's clever political maneuvering and how he used Cleon's own boastfulness against him, providing additional character insights.
Read passage →Aristophanes: The Knights (Lines 54-57, 702-704)
This comedy, produced shortly after these events, satirizes Cleon as a slave who manipulates the elderly Demos (the people), providing contemporary Athenian perspective on his character.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.61)
Provides a condensed account of the Pylos affair and Cleon's role, though with less detail about the assembly debate, offering a later historical perspective on these events.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does this passage illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of direct democracy? Consider the role of public pressure and emotional decision-making.
- What does Nicias's maneuver reveal about political tactics in democratic Athens? Was his resignation genuine or calculated?
- Why might 'sensible men' prefer to be rid of Cleon even at the potential cost of military failure? What does this suggest about Athenian political divisions?
- How does Thucydides' presentation of this scene reflect his own views on democracy and demagogues?