Today's Passage
This passage describes the brutal aftermath of civil conflict in Corcyra in 427 BCE, during the broader Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
While these events were going on, Eurymedon and Sophocles had put to sea with the Athenian fleet from Pylos on their way to Sicily and, arriving at Corcyra, joined the townsmen in an expedition against the party established on Mount Istone, who had crossed over, as I have mentioned, after the revolution and become masters of the country, to the great hurt of the inhabitants. Their stronghold having been taken by an attack, the garrison took refuge in a body upon some high ground and there capitulated, agreeing to give up their mercenary auxiliaries, lay down their arms, and commit themselves to the discretion of the Athenian people. The generals carried them across under truce to the island of Ptychia, to be kept in custody until they could be sent to Athens, upon the understanding that, if any were caught running away, all would lose the benefit of the treaty. Meanwhile the leaders of the Corcyraean commons, afraid that the Athenians might spare the lives of the prisoners, had recourse to the following stratagem. They gained over some few men on the island by secretly sending friends with instructions to provide them with a boat, and to tell them, as if for their own sakes, that they had best escape as quickly as possible, as the Athenian generals were going to give them up to the Corcyraean people.
These representations succeeding, it was so arranged that the men were caught sailing out in the boat that was provided, and the treaty became void accordingly, and the whole body were given up to the Corcyraeans. For this result the Athenian generals were in a great measure responsible; their evident disinclination to sail for Sicily, and thus to leave to others the honour of conducting the men to Athens, encouraged the intriguers in their design and seemed to affirm the truth of their representations. The prisoners thus handed over were shut up by the Corcyraeans in a large building, and afterwards taken out by twenties and led past two lines of heavy infantry, one on each side, being bound together, and beaten and stabbed by the men in the lines whenever any saw pass a personal enemy; while men carrying whips went by their side and hastened on the road those that walked too slowly.
Modern Translation
During these developments, Eurymedon and Sophocles departed from Pylos with the Athenian fleet bound for Sicily. Upon reaching Corcyra, they joined the local democrats in a campaign against the oligarchic faction that had established itself on Mount Istone. This group, as I previously noted, had crossed over following the revolution and gained control of the countryside, causing significant harm to the population. After their fortress fell to assault, the defenders retreated en masse to higher ground where they negotiated surrender terms: they would hand over their hired soldiers, surrender their weapons, and place themselves at the mercy of the Athenian people. The commanders transported them under safe conduct to Ptychia island, where they would remain under guard pending transfer to Athens, with the stipulation that if anyone attempted escape, the entire agreement would be nullified for all. However, the democratic leaders of Corcyra, fearing the Athenians might show clemency to the captives, devised a cunning scheme. They secretly contacted a few prisoners on the island through intermediaries who, feigning concern for their welfare, urged them to flee immediately, claiming the Athenian generals intended to surrender them to the Corcyraean democrats, and even providing a vessel for their escape.
The plot succeeded perfectly: the prisoners were apprehended attempting to sail away in the supplied boat, thereby invalidating the treaty and resulting in their transfer to Corcyraean custody. The Athenian generals bore considerable responsibility for this outcome; their obvious reluctance to proceed to Sicily—which would have meant relinquishing to others the prestige of delivering the prisoners to Athens—emboldened the conspirators and lent credibility to their deception. Once in Corcyraean hands, the prisoners were confined in a large structure, then removed in groups of twenty and forced to walk between two columns of heavily armed soldiers. Bound together, they were struck and stabbed by any soldier who recognized a personal adversary, while guards with whips drove forward those who moved too slowly.
Historical Context
This passage describes the brutal aftermath of civil conflict in Corcyra in 427 BCE, during the broader Peloponnesian War. The oligarchic faction that had fled to Mount Istone after the democratic revolution has now been defeated by Athenian forces under Eurymedon and Sophocles. The Athenian generals, en route to Sicily, have stopped to help their democratic allies. However, local Corcyraean democrats manipulate the situation to ensure the captured oligarchs face execution rather than potential clemency in Athens. The passage reveals both the savage nature of Greek civil wars (stasis) and the complex interplay between local factions and imperial powers. The Athenian generals' complicity, driven by personal ambition, demonstrates how individual motivations could undermine official policy.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Stasis
Stasis (civil war) was endemic in Greek city-states, often dividing communities between democratic and oligarchic factions. These conflicts were particularly brutal as they involved neighbors and family members, leading to cycles of revenge and atrocity that could destroy the social fabric of a polis.
Learn more →Athenian Naval Strategy
The Athenian fleet's movement from Pylos to Sicily via Corcyra illustrates Athens' strategic reach. Control of Corcyra was vital for western operations, as it provided a crucial waystation for fleets heading to Sicily and Italy, demonstrating the interconnected nature of Athenian imperial strategy.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Warfare Ethics
The violation of the truce through deception and the subsequent massacre reveals the breakdown of traditional Greek military ethics during the Peloponnesian War. Sacred oaths and truces, once inviolable, became tools of manipulation as the war progressed.
Learn more →Corcyra in the Peloponnesian War
Corcyra's strategic location and powerful navy made it a crucial ally for Athens. The civil war there (427-425 BCE) became a proxy conflict between Athens and Sparta, with each supporting different factions, prefiguring the broader ideological dimensions of the war.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12.57)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of the Corcyraean civil war, though with less detail about this specific massacre. His version emphasizes the role of class conflict in the violence.
Read passage →Aristotle: Politics (Book 5.1304b)
Aristotle uses Corcyra as an example of how civil strife arises from inequality and faction. He analyzes how personal enmities become political conflicts, directly relevant to the personal revenge described in this passage.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 2.3.56)
Xenophon's account of the Thirty Tyrants' atrocities in Athens parallels the Corcyraean massacre, showing how civil conflicts led to similar breakdowns of law and humanity across Greece.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the deception used against the prisoners reflect the breakdown of traditional Greek values during the Peloponnesian War? Consider the role of oaths and trust in Greek society.
- What does the Athenian generals' behavior reveal about the tension between personal ambition and imperial policy? How might this incident have affected Athens' reputation among its allies?
- The passage describes prisoners being killed by 'personal enemies.' What does this detail tell us about the nature of civil war in a small community?
- Compare this massacre to modern examples of civil conflict. What patterns of behavior during civil wars seem to transcend time and culture?