Today's Passage
This passage describes the notorious mutilation of the Herms in 415 BCE, which occurred just as Athens was preparing to launch its massive expedition against Syracuse.
Crawley Translation (1910)
In the midst of these preparations all the stone Hermae in the city of Athens, that is to say the customary square figures, so common in the doorways of private houses and temples, had in one night most of them their fares mutilated. No one knew who had done it, but large public rewards were offered to find the authors; and it was further voted that any one who knew of any other act of impiety having been committed should come and give information without fear of consequences, whether he were citizen, alien, or slave. The matter was taken up the more seriously, as it was thought to be ominous for the expedition, and part of a conspiracy to bring about a revolution and to upset the democracy.
Information was given accordingly by some resident aliens and body servants, not about the Hermae but about some previous mutilations of other images perpetrated by young men in a drunken frolic, and of mock celebrations of the mysteries, averred to take place in private houses. Alcibiades being implicated in this charge, it was taken hold of by those who could least endure him, because he stood in the way of their obtaining the undisturbed direction of the people, and who thought that if he were once removed the first place would be theirs. These accordingly magnified the matter and loudly proclaimed that the affair of the mysteries and the mutilation of the Hermae were part and parcel of a scheme to overthrow the democracy, and that nothing of all this had been done without Alcibiades; the proofs alleged being the general and undemocratic licence of his life and habits.
Alcibiades repelled on the spot the charges in question, and also before going on the expedition, the preparations for which were now complete, offered to stand his trial, that it might be seen whether he was guilty of the acts imputed to him; desiring to be punished if found guilty, but, if acquitted, to take the command. Meanwhile he protested against their receiving slanders against him in his absence, and begged them rather to put him to death at once if he were guilty, and pointed out the imprudence of sending him out at the head of so large an army, with so serious a charge still undecided. But his enemies feared that he would have the army for him if he were tried immediately, and that the people might relent in favour of the man whom they already caressed as the cause of the Argives and some of the Mantineans joining in the expedition, and did their utmost to get this proposition rejected, putting forward other orators who said that he ought at present to sail and not delay the departure of the army, and be tried on his return within a fixed number of days; their plan being to have him sent for and brought home for trial upon some graver charge, which they would the more easily get up in his absence. Accordingly it was decreed that he should sail.
Modern Translation
During these preparations, all the stone Herms throughout Athens—those familiar square pillars bearing carved heads that stood at the entrances of private homes and temples—were discovered one morning with their faces deliberately defaced. No one knew who had committed this sacrilege, but the city offered substantial public rewards for information leading to the perpetrators. The Assembly further decreed that anyone with knowledge of any other impious acts should come forward without fear of punishment, whether they were citizen, foreign resident, or slave. The incident was treated with utmost gravity, as many interpreted it as an evil omen for the expedition and evidence of a conspiracy aimed at revolution and the overthrow of democracy.
Subsequently, certain resident foreigners and household slaves came forward with information—not about the Herms, but concerning earlier incidents where young men had damaged other statues during drunken revelries, and about mock performances of the Eleusinian Mysteries allegedly conducted in private homes. When Alcibiades was implicated in these charges, his political enemies seized the opportunity. These were men who deeply resented him because he blocked their path to unchallenged leadership of the people, and who believed that his removal would secure them preeminence. They therefore exaggerated the allegations and proclaimed loudly that both the profanation of the Mysteries and the mutilation of the Herms were components of a coordinated plot to destroy the democracy, insisting that none of these acts could have occurred without Alcibiades' involvement. As evidence, they cited his notoriously extravagant lifestyle and contempt for democratic conventions.
Alcibiades immediately refuted these accusations and, before departing on the expedition for which preparations were now complete, demanded to stand trial. He wanted the opportunity to prove his innocence or, if found guilty, to face punishment. He argued against accepting accusations made behind his back and urged them to execute him immediately if he were guilty, emphasizing how reckless it would be to send him to command such a massive force while such serious charges remained unresolved. However, his enemies feared he would enjoy the army's support if tried immediately, and that the people might soften toward the man they currently favored for securing Argive and Mantinean participation in the expedition. They therefore worked vigorously to defeat his proposal, deploying other speakers who argued that he should sail without delay and face trial upon his return within a specified timeframe. Their strategy was to recall him later to face more serious charges, which they could more easily fabricate in his absence. Consequently, the Assembly decreed that he must sail.
Historical Context
This passage describes the notorious mutilation of the Herms in 415 BCE, which occurred just as Athens was preparing to launch its massive expedition against Syracuse. The vandalism of these sacred statues throughout the city created a religious and political crisis. Alcibiades, the charismatic but controversial commander of the expedition, was accused of involvement in this sacrilege and in profaning the Eleusinian Mysteries. His political enemies used these charges to attempt his destruction, but feared trying him while he had military support. The decision to let him sail while under suspicion would prove disastrous for both Alcibiades and Athens. This incident reveals the volatile intersection of religion, politics, and military ambition in democratic Athens, and marks a crucial turning point in the Peloponnesian War.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Herms of Athens
Herms were square stone pillars topped with carved heads of Hermes, the god of boundaries and travelers. They served as protective talismans at crossroads, property boundaries, and doorways throughout Athens. Their mutilation was not merely vandalism but a profound religious violation that threatened the city's divine protection, especially significant given the impending military expedition.
Learn more →The Eleusinian Mysteries
The Mysteries were sacred religious rites held at Eleusis, promising initiates a blessed afterlife. Participation was restricted to properly initiated citizens, and revealing or mocking the secret rituals was punishable by death. The accusation that Alcibiades performed mock celebrations in private homes was therefore extremely serious, suggesting both impiety and political subversion.
Learn more →Alcibiades
Alcibiades (450-404 BCE) was Athens' most talented and controversial politician-general. Brilliant, charismatic, and ambitious, he was also notorious for his extravagant lifestyle and disregard for conventional morality. His enemies' ability to use religious charges against him reflects both genuine concerns about his character and the political exploitation of religious anxieties in democratic Athens.
Learn more →Athenian Legal Procedures
Athens' democratic legal system allowed any citizen to bring charges, and trials were decided by large citizen juries. The offer of immunity to informants (including slaves and foreigners) and public rewards demonstrates the state's desperation to solve this crisis. The timing of trials could be manipulated for political advantage, as Alcibiades' enemies demonstrated.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (18-22)
Plutarch provides a detailed account of the Herms affair and the charges against Alcibiades, including personal details about the informants and Alcibiades' behavior. He emphasizes the political motivations behind the accusations and Alcibiades' popularity with the common people.
Read passage →Andocides: On the Mysteries (11-70)
Andocides, who was himself implicated in the scandal, provides a first-hand account of the affair. His speech, delivered in 400 BCE, offers details about the investigation, the informants, and the political atmosphere, though his account differs from Thucydides in some particulars.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (13.2-5)
Diodorus provides a later historical perspective on the Herms affair and its connection to the Sicilian expedition. His account emphasizes the superstitious terror that gripped Athens and the political exploitation of the crisis.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the intersection of religion and politics in this passage illuminate the vulnerabilities of Athenian democracy? Consider how religious charges could be weaponized for political ends.
- What does Alcibiades' demand for an immediate trial reveal about Athenian legal procedures and political strategy? Why might his enemies have preferred to delay?
- How does Thucydides' presentation of this incident reflect his views on the relationship between domestic politics and military success?
- What role does public fear and superstition play in this crisis? How might modern democracies be vulnerable to similar dynamics?