Today's Passage
This passage occurs during the uneasy armistice of 423 BCE between Athens and Sparta.
Crawley Translation (1910)
In the midst of his designs upon the towns in question, a galley arrived with the commissioners carrying round the news of the armistice, Aristonymus for the Athenians and Athenaeus for the Lacedaemonians. The troops now crossed back to Torone, and the commissioners gave Brasidas notice of the convention. All the Lacedaemonian allies in Thrace accepted what had been done; and Aristonymus made no difficulty about the rest, but finding, on counting the days, that the Scionaeans had revolted after the date of the convention, refused to include them in it. To this Brasidas earnestly objected, asserting that the revolt took place before, and would not give up the town. Upon Aristonymus reporting the case to Athens, the people at once prepared to send an expedition to Scione. Upon this, envoys arrived from Lacedaemon, alleging that this would be a breach of the truce, and laying claim to the town upon the faith of the assertion of Brasidas, and meanwhile offering to submit the question to arbitration. Arbitration, however, was what the Athenians did not choose to risk; being determined to send troops at once to the place, and furious at the idea of even the islanders now daring to revolt, in a vain reliance upon the power of the Lacedaemonians by land. Besides the facts of the revolt were rather as the Athenians contended, the Scionaeans having revolted two days after the convention. Cleon accordingly succeeded in carrying a decree to reduce and put to death the Scionaeans; and the Athenians employed the leisure which they now enjoyed in preparing for the expedition.
Meanwhile Mende revolted, a town in Pallene and a colony of the Eretrians, and was received without scruple by Brasidas, in spite of its having evidently come over during the armistice, on account of certain infringements of the truce alleged by him against the Athenians. This audacity of Mende was partly caused by seeing Brasidas forward in the matter and by the conclusions drawn from his refusal to betray Scione; and besides, the conspirators in Mende were few, and, as I have already intimated, had carried on their practices too long not to fear detection for themselves, and not to wish to force the inclination of the multitude. This news made the Athenians more furious than ever, and they at once prepared against both towns. Brasidas, expecting their arrival, conveyed away to Olynthus in Chalcidice the women and children of the Scionaeans and Mendaeans, and sent over to them five hundred Peloponnesian heavy infantry and three hundred Chalcidian targeteers, all under the command of Polydamidas.
Modern Translation
While Brasidas was planning his operations against these cities, a ship arrived carrying commissioners who were announcing the armistice—Aristonymus representing Athens and Athenaeus representing Sparta. The troops withdrew to Torone, and the commissioners informed Brasidas of the agreement's terms. All Spartan allies in Thrace accepted the arrangement. Aristonymus approved most provisions without issue, but after calculating the dates, he discovered that Scione had revolted after the armistice had been signed. He therefore refused to include the city under the treaty's protection. Brasidas vigorously protested this decision, insisting the revolt had occurred earlier, and refused to surrender the town. When Aristonymus reported this dispute to Athens, the assembly immediately began preparing a military expedition against Scione. In response, Spartan envoys arrived, arguing that such action would violate the truce. They claimed the city based on Brasidas's testimony and proposed submitting the matter to arbitration. The Athenians, however, had no interest in arbitration. They were determined to dispatch forces immediately, enraged that even islanders now dared to rebel, foolishly trusting in Spartan land power. Moreover, the facts supported the Athenian position—Scione had indeed revolted two days after the agreement. Cleon successfully passed a decree ordering the reduction of Scione and the execution of its inhabitants. The Athenians then used their newfound peace to prepare the expedition.
During this time, Mende also revolted. This city in Pallene, originally an Eretrian colony, was readily accepted by Brasidas despite having clearly defected during the armistice. He justified this by citing alleged Athenian violations of the truce. Mende's bold action was partly inspired by Brasidas's enthusiasm and his refusal to abandon Scione. Additionally, the conspirators in Mende were few in number and, as I mentioned earlier, had been plotting so long that they feared exposure. They felt compelled to impose their will on the reluctant majority. This development infuriated the Athenians even more, and they immediately began preparations against both cities. Anticipating their attack, Brasidas evacuated the women and children from Scione and Mende to Olynthus in Chalcidice. He reinforced the cities with five hundred Peloponnesian heavy infantry and three hundred Chalcidian light troops, all commanded by Polydamidas.
Historical Context
This passage occurs during the uneasy armistice of 423 BCE between Athens and Sparta. Brasidas, the brilliant Spartan commander, has been campaigning in Thrace, encouraging revolts among Athens' subject cities. The timing of Scione's revolt becomes a crucial diplomatic dispute—whether it occurred before or after the armistice determines if Athens can legally attack. The Athenians, led by the demagogue Cleon, refuse arbitration and vote for harsh punishment. The situation escalates when Mende also revolts, with Brasidas accepting them despite the clear violation of the truce. This episode demonstrates how fragile peace agreements were and how local commanders like Brasidas could undermine diplomatic efforts. The harsh Athenian response, including the decree to execute all Scioneans, reflects their determination to maintain their empire through terror.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Arbitration
Arbitration (dike) was a common Greek method for resolving interstate disputes without warfare. Both parties would agree on a neutral city or panel to judge their case. The Athenian refusal here shows their confidence in military superiority and unwillingness to risk losing territorial control through legal proceedings.
Learn more →Cleon's War Policy
Cleon, Athens' most prominent politician after Pericles' death, advocated aggressive imperial policies. His decree to execute all Scioneans echoes his earlier proposal regarding Mytilene. This harsh approach aimed to deter future revolts through terror.
Learn more →Chalcidian League
The Chalcidians mentioned were part of a regional confederation in northern Greece that allied with Sparta against Athens. Their light-armed troops (peltasts) were effective against traditional hoplites and represented an important military innovation.
Learn more →Greek Colonization
Mende's status as an Eretrian colony illustrates the complex web of relationships in the Greek world. Colonial ties could influence political loyalty, though by this period most colonies acted independently of their mother cities.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.72-73)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of these same events, emphasizing Brasidas's success in winning over Greek cities and the Athenian anger at the revolts during the supposed truce.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (10.1-4)
Plutarch discusses the armistice negotiations and the difficulties in maintaining peace when ambitious commanders like Brasidas continued to pursue military glory despite diplomatic agreements.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.1.1-12)
Though covering a later period, Xenophon describes similar disputes over treaty violations and the difficulty of enforcing armistices when local commanders acted independently.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does this passage illustrate the tension between diplomatic agreements made at the state level and the actions of military commanders in the field?
- What does the Athenian refusal of arbitration reveal about their conception of justice versus power in international relations?
- How might the treatment of Scione and Mende have affected other potential revolts against Athenian rule?
- To what extent was Brasidas justified in accepting Mende's revolt, given his claims of Athenian treaty violations?