Today's Passage
This passage presents the Corinthian counter-argument to the Corcyraean appeal at Athens in 433 BCE.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“This then is what Hellenic law entitles us to demand as a right. But we have also advice to offer and claims on your gratitude, which, since there is no danger of our injuring you, as we are not enemies, and since our friendship does not amount to very frequent intercourse, we say ought to be liquidated at the present juncture. When you were in want of ships of war for the war against the Aeginetans, before the Persian invasion, Corinth supplied you with twenty vessels. That good turn, and the line we took on the Samian question, when we were the cause of the Peloponnesians refusing to assist them, enabled you to conquer Aegina and to punish Samos. And we acted thus at crises when, if ever, men are wont in their efforts against their enemies to forget everything for the sake of victory, regarding him who assists them then as a friend, even if thus far he has been a foe, and him who opposes them then as a foe, even if he has thus far been a friend; indeed they allow their real interests to suffer from their absorbing preoccupation in the struggle.
“Weigh well these considerations, and let your youth learn what they are from their elders, and let them determine to do unto us as we have done unto you. And let them not acknowledge the justice of what we say, but dispute its wisdom in the contingency of war. Not only is the straightest path generally speaking the wisest; but the coming of the war, which the Corcyraeans have used as a bugbear to persuade you to do wrong, is still uncertain, and it is not worth while to be carried away by it into gaining the instant and declared enmity of Corinth. It were, rather, wise to try and counteract the unfavourable impression which your conduct to Megara has created. For kindness opportunely shown has a greater power of removing old grievances than the facts of the case may warrant. And do not be seduced by the prospect of a great naval alliance. Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage. It is now our turn to benefit by the principle that we laid down at Lacedaemon, that every power has a right to punish her own allies. We now claim to receive the same from you, and protest against your rewarding us for benefiting you by our vote by injuring us by yours. On the contrary, return us like for like, remembering that this is that very crisis in which he who lends aid is most a friend, and he who opposes is most a foe. And for these Corcyraeans—neither receive them into alliance in our despite, nor be their abettors in crime. So do, and you will act as we have a right to expect of you, and at the same time best consult your own interests.”
Such were the words of the Corinthians.
Modern Translation
This, then, is what we are entitled to demand according to Greek custom and law. But we also have advice to offer and claims upon your gratitude—claims which, since we pose no threat to you as we are not enemies, and since our friendship, while genuine, has not involved frequent contact, we believe should be honored at this critical moment. When you needed warships for your conflict with Aegina before the Persian invasion, Corinth provided you with twenty vessels. This assistance, combined with our stance during the Samian affair—when we prevented the Peloponnesians from helping Samos—enabled you to defeat Aegina and punish Samos. We took these actions during those critical moments when people typically forget everything else in their drive for victory, when they regard anyone who helps them as a friend, even a former enemy, and anyone who opposes them as an enemy, even a former friend. Indeed, in such times people often sacrifice their true interests to their obsessive focus on the immediate conflict.
Consider these points carefully. Let your younger citizens learn from their elders, and let them resolve to treat us as we have treated you. They should not accept the justice of our argument while questioning its practical wisdom in the face of potential war. The most straightforward course is generally the wisest. Moreover, the war that the Corcyraeans invoke to frighten you into wrongdoing remains uncertain, and it would be foolish to let this specter drive you into earning Corinth's immediate and open hostility. It would be wiser to work on improving the negative impression created by your treatment of Megara. Timely acts of kindness possess remarkable power to heal old wounds, often beyond what the mere facts might suggest. Don't be tempted by the promise of a powerful naval alliance. Avoiding injustice toward other major powers provides greater security than any advantage gained by sacrificing lasting peace for apparent short-term benefits.
Now it's our turn to benefit from the principle we established at Sparta: that every state has the right to discipline its own allies. We claim this same right from you and protest against being repaid for helping you with our vote by being harmed by yours. Instead, treat us as we've treated you, remembering that this is precisely the kind of crisis where those who provide support prove themselves true friends, while those who oppose reveal themselves as enemies. As for these Corcyraeans—don't accept them as allies against our wishes, and don't become accomplices in their wrongdoing. Act this way, and you'll fulfill our legitimate expectations while serving your own best interests.
These were the Corinthians' words.
Historical Context
This passage presents the Corinthian counter-argument to the Corcyraean appeal at Athens in 433 BCE. The Corcyraeans had just requested Athenian alliance against Corinth, their mother city. The Corinthians, alarmed by this potential alliance that would strengthen Athens' naval power, send envoys to argue against it. They remind Athens of past favors—particularly the loan of twenty ships during Athens' war with Aegina and their diplomatic support during the Samian revolt. The Corinthians invoke principles of reciprocity and justice, warning Athens against antagonizing a major power for uncertain gains. This debate represents a crucial moment before the Peloponnesian War, as Athens' decision here would significantly impact the balance of power in Greece and contribute to the war's outbreak.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Interstate Law
The Corinthians invoke unwritten Greek customs governing relationships between states, including reciprocity and the right of a mother city to discipline its colonies. These informal 'laws' regulated diplomatic behavior and justified various actions in the absence of formal international law.
Learn more →The Aeginetan War
The conflict between Athens and Aegina (circa 458-457 BCE) was part of Athens' expansion of power. Corinth's loan of twenty ships proved crucial for Athens' victory, establishing Aegina's subjugation and demonstrating the importance of naval power in Greek warfare.
Learn more →The Samian Revolt
In 440-439 BCE, Samos revolted against Athenian control. Corinth's opposition to Peloponnesian intervention allowed Athens to crush the revolt, maintaining its empire. This diplomatic support now forms part of Corinth's argument for reciprocal treatment.
Learn more →Megarian Decree
The reference to Athens' 'conduct to Megara' alludes to the Megarian Decree, economic sanctions imposed by Athens that banned Megarians from Athenian markets and ports. This hostile act against Corinth's ally strained Corinthian-Athenian relations.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29-30)
Plutarch describes the Corcyraean embassy and Athens' decision from Pericles' perspective, emphasizing how Pericles saw the strategic value of the Corcyraean fleet despite recognizing it might provoke war.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.53)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Corcyraean affair, noting how this dispute became one of the primary causes of the Peloponnesian War, though with less detail than Thucydides.
Read passage →Aristotle: Constitution of Athens (24.2)
Aristotle briefly mentions Athens' naval supremacy and alliance system, providing context for why the Corcyraean alliance was so tempting despite Corinthian objections.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the Corinthian argument about reciprocity and past favors compare to modern diplomatic practices? Are nations today bound by past assistance?
- The Corinthians argue that 'abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength' than temporary alliances. How does this principle apply to contemporary international relations?
- What role does the rhetoric of crisis play in the Corinthian argument? How do they use the psychology of decision-making under pressure?
- Compare the Corcyraean emphasis on future advantage (from the previous section) with the Corinthian emphasis on past obligations. Which argument would you find more compelling as an Athenian citizen?