Today's Passage
This passage records the Peace of Nicias (421 BCE), a treaty intended to end the first phase of the Peloponnesian War known as the Archidamian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
The Athenians and Lacedaemonians and their allies made a treaty, and swore to it, city by city, as follows;
1. Touching the national temples, there shall be a free passage by land and by sea to all who wish it, to sacrifice, travel, consult, and attend the oracle or games, according to the customs of their countries.
2. The temple and shrine of Apollo at Delphi and the Delphians shall be governed by their own laws, taxed by their own state, and judged by their own judges, the land and the people, according to the custom of their country.
3. The treaty shall be binding for fifty years upon the Athenians and the allies of the Athenians, and upon the Lacedaemonians and the allies of the Lacedaemonians, without fraud or hurt by land or by sea.
4. It shall not be lawful to take up arms, with intent to do hurt, either for the Lacedaemonians and their allies against the Athenians and their allies, or for the Athenians and their allies against the Lacedaemonians and their allies, in any way or means whatsoever. But should any difference arise between them they are to have recourse to law and oaths, according as may be agreed between the parties.
5. The Lacedaemonians and their allies shall give back Amphipolis to the Athenians. Nevertheless, in the case of cities given up by the Lacedaemonians to the Athenians, the inhabitants shall be allowed to go where they please and to take their property with them: and the cities shall be independent, paying only the tribute of Aristides. And it shall not be lawful for the Athenians or their allies to carry on war against them after the treaty has been concluded, so long as the tribute is paid. The cities referred to are Argilus, Stagirus, Acanthus, Scolus, Olynthus, and Spartolus. These cities shall be neutral, allies neither of the Lacedaemonians nor of the Athenians: but if the cities consent, it shall be lawful for the Athenians to make them their allies, provided always that the cities wish it. The Mecybernaeans, Sanaeans, and Singaeans shall inhabit their own cities, as also the Olynthians and Acanthians: but the Lacedaemonians and their allies shall give back Panactum to the Athenians.
6. The Athenians shall give back Coryphasium, Cythera, Methana, Lacedaemonians that are in the prison at Athens or elsewhere in the Athenian dominions, and shall let go the Peloponnesians besieged in Scione, and all others in Scione that are allies of the Lacedaemonians, and all whom Brasidas sent in there, and any others of the allies of the Lacedaemonians that may be in the prison at Athens or elsewhere in the Athenian dominions.
Modern Translation
The Athenians and Spartans, along with their respective allies, concluded a treaty and swore oaths to it, with each city-state affirming its commitment individually. The terms were as follows:
1. Regarding the pan-Hellenic sanctuaries: All who wish shall have unrestricted passage by land and sea to offer sacrifices, travel, consult oracles, or attend religious festivals, in accordance with their ancestral customs.
2. The temple and sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, along with the Delphian people, shall maintain their autonomy, collect their own taxes, and administer their own justice over both their territory and population, according to their traditional laws.
3. This treaty shall remain in force for fifty years between the Athenians and their allies on one side, and the Spartans and their allies on the other, without deception or harm by land or sea.
4. Neither the Spartans and their allies shall take up arms to harm the Athenians and their allies, nor shall the Athenians and their allies take up arms to harm the Spartans and their allies, by any means whatsoever. Should disputes arise between them, they must seek resolution through legal proceedings and oaths, as mutually agreed.
5. The Spartans and their allies shall return Amphipolis to the Athenians. However, in cities surrendered by the Spartans to Athens, inhabitants may depart freely with their possessions. These cities shall remain autonomous, paying only the tribute established by Aristides. Once this treaty is ratified, neither Athens nor its allies may wage war against these cities as long as they pay tribute. The cities in question are Argilus, Stagirus, Acanthus, Scolus, Olynthus, and Spartolus. These shall remain neutral, allied to neither Sparta nor Athens, though Athens may form alliances with them if the cities consent. The Mecybernaeans, Sanaeans, and Singaeans shall retain their own cities, as shall the Olynthians and Acanthians. The Spartans and their allies shall return Panactum to Athens.
6. The Athenians shall return Coryphasium, Cythera, and Methana, release all Spartan prisoners held in Athens or anywhere in Athenian territory, withdraw from the siege of Scione, and free all Spartan allies there, including those sent by Brasidas and any other allied prisoners held in Athens or Athenian territories.
Historical Context
This passage records the Peace of Nicias (421 BCE), a treaty intended to end the first phase of the Peloponnesian War known as the Archidamian War. After ten years of inconclusive fighting, both Athens and Sparta were exhausted. The Athenian general Nicias and the Spartan king Pleistoanax led the peace negotiations. The treaty attempted to restore the pre-war status quo, with provisions for prisoner exchanges and territorial restorations. However, the agreement proved fragile due to the dissatisfaction of Sparta's allies (particularly Corinth and Boeotia) who refused to sign, and ambiguities in the treaty's terms. This peace would last only six years before hostilities resumed, making it more of an armistice than a lasting settlement.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Tribute of Aristides
This refers to the original assessment of tribute established by Aristides the Just around 478 BCE when the Delian League was founded. The tribute was considered fair and moderate compared to later Athenian impositions. By referencing this original assessment, the treaty attempts to return to a less exploitative relationship between Athens and its subject cities.
Learn more →Amphipolis
A strategically vital city controlling access to Thrace's timber and gold resources. Its loss to Brasidas in 424 BCE was a major blow to Athens. The city's return was Athens' primary demand in the peace negotiations, though Amphipolis would ultimately refuse to return to Athenian control, becoming a major source of future conflict.
Learn more →Delphic Neutrality
The clause ensuring Delphi's autonomy reflects the sanctuary's pan-Hellenic importance. As the site of Apollo's oracle, Delphi needed to remain accessible to all Greeks regardless of political conflicts. This provision demonstrates how religious considerations could transcend warfare in Greek interstate relations.
Learn more →Brasidas' Campaign
Brasidas was Sparta's most successful general in the Archidamian War, who led a brilliant campaign in northern Greece (424-422 BCE), capturing several Athenian subject cities including Amphipolis. His death at Amphipolis, along with the Athenian general Cleon, removed two major obstacles to peace.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12.75-76)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Peace of Nicias, focusing on the war-weariness of both sides and the role of moderate leaders in achieving the treaty. His version emphasizes the economic exhaustion that drove both powers to negotiate.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (Chapters 9-10)
Plutarch's biography provides personal details about Nicias' motivations for peace, portraying him as cautious and pious. He emphasizes Nicias' rivalry with Cleon and how Cleon's death at Amphipolis opened the path for negotiations.
Read passage →Aristophanes: Peace (Lines 1-300)
Though a comedy rather than history, Aristophanes' play (performed in 421 BCE) captures contemporary Athenian attitudes toward the peace. It celebrates the treaty while expressing skepticism about its durability, providing valuable insight into public opinion.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- Why might religious sanctuaries like Delphi require special protection in interstate treaties? What does this tell us about the relationship between religion and politics in ancient Greece?
- The treaty attempts to restore the pre-war status quo. Why might this approach fail to create lasting peace? What issues does it leave unresolved?
- How does the provision allowing neutral cities to choose their alliances potentially undermine the treaty's stability?
- Compare this treaty's terms with modern peace agreements. What elements seem familiar, and what aspects reflect specifically ancient Greek concerns?