Today's Passage
This passage describes a critical moment in 424 BCE when Athens attempted to seize Megara through a combination of military force and internal conspiracy.
Crawley Translation (1910)
After this, each of the Athenians as fast as they entered went against the wall. A few of the Peloponnesian garrison stood their ground at first, and tried to repel the assault, and some of them were killed; but the main body took fright and fled; the night attack and the sight of the Megarian traitors in arms against them making them think that all Megara had gone over to the enemy. It so happened also that the Athenian herald of his own idea called out and invited any of the Megarians that wished, to join the Athenian ranks; and this was no sooner heard by the garrison than they gave way, and, convinced that they were the victims of a concerted attack, took refuge in Nisaea. By daybreak, the walls being now taken and the Megarians in the city in great agitation, the persons who had negotiated with the Athenians, supported by the rest of the popular party which was privy to the plot, said that they ought to open the gates and march out to battle. It had been concerted between them that the Athenians should rush in, the moment that the gates were opened, while the conspirators were to be distinguished from the rest by being anointed with oil, and so to avoid being hurt. They could open the gates with more security, as four thousand Athenian heavy infantry from Eleusis, and six hundred horse, had marched all night, according to agreement, and were now close at hand. The conspirators were all ready anointed and at their posts by the gates, when one of their accomplices denounced the plot to the opposite party, who gathered together and came in a body, and roundly said that they must not march out—a thing they had never yet ventured on even when in greater force than at present—or wantonly compromise the safety of the town, and that if what they said was not attended to, the battle would have to be fought in Megara. For the rest, they gave no signs of their knowledge of the intrigue, but stoutly maintained that their advice was the best, and meanwhile kept close by and watched the gates, making it impossible for the conspirators to effect their purpose.
Modern Translation
Upon entering the city, each Athenian soldier immediately rushed toward the wall. Initially, a small contingent of the Peloponnesian garrison attempted to hold their position and resist the assault, resulting in some casualties among their ranks. However, the majority of the defenders panicked and fled. The combination of a nighttime attack and the sight of Megarian traitors fighting alongside the Athenians led them to believe that the entire city of Megara had defected to the enemy. At this critical moment, the Athenian herald—acting on his own initiative—called out an invitation for any Megarians who wished to join the Athenian forces. When the garrison heard this proclamation, their resistance completely collapsed. Convinced they were facing a coordinated betrayal, they retreated to the port of Nisaea. As dawn broke, with the walls captured and the city in turmoil, the conspirators who had secretly negotiated with Athens, backed by their democratic allies who were aware of the plot, argued that the gates should be opened and the citizens should march out to battle. The plan was straightforward: the moment the gates opened, the Athenians would storm in, while the conspirators—marked with oil to prevent friendly fire—would be spared. Their confidence was bolstered by the knowledge that four thousand Athenian hoplites from Eleusis and six hundred cavalry had marched through the night as arranged and were now positioned nearby. The conspirators had already anointed themselves and taken their positions at the gates when one of their own betrayed the plot to the opposing faction. This group quickly assembled and forcefully declared that the city must not march out—something they had never attempted even when their forces were stronger—and that they must not recklessly endanger the city's security. They warned that if their counsel was ignored, civil war would erupt within Megara itself. Throughout this confrontation, they carefully concealed their knowledge of the conspiracy, insisting that their advice was sound while maintaining a vigilant watch over the gates, effectively preventing the conspirators from executing their plan.
Historical Context
This passage describes a critical moment in 424 BCE when Athens attempted to seize Megara through a combination of military force and internal conspiracy. Megara, strategically located between Athens and Corinth, was a member of the Peloponnesian League but contained a democratic faction sympathetic to Athens. The Athenians had coordinated with these internal allies to capture the city through treachery. The plan involved Athenian forces attacking the Long Walls connecting Megara to its port Nisaea while conspirators would open the city gates from within. However, the plot was betrayed at the last moment, leading to a tense standoff. This episode illustrates the importance of internal political divisions in Greek city-states during the Peloponnesian War and how both Athens and Sparta attempted to exploit these divisions for strategic advantage.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Megara's Strategic Importance
Megara controlled the land route between Athens and the Peloponnese, making it crucial for both sides. Its two ports, Nisaea on the Saronic Gulf and Pegae on the Corinthian Gulf, provided access to both eastern and western sea routes. Control of Megara could effectively isolate the Peloponnese from central Greece.
Learn more →Greek Siege Warfare
Night attacks were relatively rare in Greek warfare due to coordination difficulties. The use of identifying marks (oil in this case) shows the practical challenges of distinguishing friend from foe in darkness. This episode demonstrates the importance of treachery over direct assault in capturing fortified cities.
Learn more →Stasis in Greek Cities
Internal political conflict (stasis) between democratic and oligarchic factions was endemic in Greek city-states during the Peloponnesian War. Both Athens and Sparta exploited these divisions, with Athens typically supporting democratic factions and Sparta backing oligarchs.
Learn more →The Long Walls
Many Greek cities built 'Long Walls' connecting the urban center to the port, creating a defensible corridor for supplies during sieges. Megara's Long Walls connected the city to Nisaea, similar to Athens' famous Long Walls to Piraeus.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (6.1-3)
Plutarch describes Nicias's role in the Megarian campaign, providing additional details about Athenian motivations and the aftermath of this attempted seizure.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.66)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Megarian affair, offering a different perspective on the betrayal and its consequences for Athenian strategy.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.1.35)
While describing later events, Xenophon references the strategic importance of Megara and Nisaea, showing the long-term consequences of Athens's failure to secure the city.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the herald's unauthorized invitation to the Megarians reflect the challenges of command and control in ancient warfare? What does this tell us about individual initiative versus military discipline?
- Why might the conspirator have betrayed the plot at the last moment? What factors typically motivated such betrayals in Greek political life?
- How does Thucydides's presentation of this failed conspiracy reflect his broader themes about the relationship between planning and chance in human affairs?
- What does this episode reveal about the role of democratic versus oligarchic ideologies in the practical conduct of the Peloponnesian War?