Today's Passage
This passage occurs during the debate at Sparta in 432 BCE, just before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Such is Athens, your antagonist. And yet, Lacedaemonians, you still delay, and fail to see that peace stays longest with those, who are not more careful to use their power justly than to show their determination not to submit to injustice. On the contrary, your ideal of fair dealing is based on the principle that, if you do not injure others, you need not risk your own fortunes in preventing others from injuring you. Now you could scarcely have succeeded in such a policy even with a neighbour like yourselves; but in the present instance, as we have just shown, your habits are old-fashioned as compared with theirs. It is the law as in art, so in politics, that improvements ever prevail; and though fixed usages may be best for undisturbed communities, constant necessities of action must be accompanied by the constant improvement of methods. Thus it happens that the vast experience of Athens has carried her further than you on the path of innovation.
“Here, at least, let your procrastination end. For the present, assist your allies and Potidæa in particular, as you promised, by a speedy invasion of Attica, and do not sacrifice friends and kindred to their bitterest enemies, and drive the rest of us in despair to some other alliance. Such a step would not be condemned either by the Gods who received our oaths, or by the men who witnessed them. The breach of a treaty cannot be laid to the people whom desertion compels to seek new relations, but to the power that fails to assist its confederate. But if you will only act, we will stand by you; it would be unnatural for us to change, and never should we meet with such a congenial ally. For these reasons choose the right course, and endeavour not to let Peloponnese under your supremacy degenerate from the prestige that it enjoyed under that of your ancestors.”
Such were the words of the Corinthians. There happened to be Athenian envoys present at Lacedaemon on other business. On hearing the speeches they thought themselves called upon to come before the Lacedaemonians. Their intention was not to offer a defence on any of the charges which the cities brought against them, but to show on a comprehensive view that it was not a matter to be hastily decided on, but one that demanded further consideration. There was also a wish to call attention to the great power of Athens, and to refresh the memory of the old and enlighten the ignorance of the young, from a notion that their words might have the effect of inducing them to prefer tranquillity to war. So they came to the Lacedaemonians and said that they too, if there was no objection, wished to speak to their assembly. They replied by inviting them to come forward. The Athenians advanced, and spoke as follows:
Modern Translation
Such is Athens, your adversary. Yet you Spartans continue to hesitate, failing to grasp that lasting peace belongs to those who not only wield their power with justice but also demonstrate their resolve never to tolerate injustice. Instead, your concept of fairness rests on the belief that if you harm no one, you need not endanger yourselves to prevent others from causing harm. You could hardly maintain such a policy even if your neighbors shared your values; but now, as we've demonstrated, your customs appear antiquated compared to theirs. Just as in the arts, so too in statecraft: innovation invariably triumphs. While established traditions may serve stable communities well, the pressing demands of action require continuous refinement of methods. Athens's extensive experience has thus propelled her far beyond you on the path of progress.
At minimum, let your delays cease here. Honor your promises by swiftly invading Attica to aid your allies, especially Potidaea. Do not abandon friends and kinsmen to their most bitter enemies, forcing the rest of us to seek other alliances in desperation. Neither the gods who witnessed our oaths nor the mortals who observed them would condemn such a course. Treaties are not broken by those whom abandonment drives to new partnerships, but by powers that fail to support their allies. If you act decisively, we will remain loyal; it would be against our nature to change allegiance, nor could we find so compatible an ally elsewhere. For these reasons, choose wisely and strive to ensure that the Peloponnese under your leadership does not fall short of the glory it possessed under your forefathers.
Thus spoke the Corinthians. Athenian ambassadors happened to be in Sparta on unrelated matters. Hearing these speeches, they felt compelled to address the Spartan assembly. They intended not to defend themselves against specific accusations from the allied cities, but to demonstrate comprehensively that this matter required careful deliberation rather than hasty judgment. They also wished to emphasize Athens's formidable power, reminding the elderly of what they knew and informing the young of what they didn't, hoping their words might encourage the preference for peace over war. Approaching the Spartans, they requested permission to address the assembly. The Spartans invited them forward, and the Athenians began their speech as follows:
Historical Context
This passage occurs during the debate at Sparta in 432 BCE, just before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. The Corinthians are concluding their speech urging Sparta to declare war on Athens, criticizing Spartan conservatism and delay while praising Athenian innovation. They threaten to seek new alliances if Sparta fails to act. The scene then shifts as Athenian envoys, present by chance, request to address the assembly. This marks a crucial moment where both sides' perspectives are presented before Sparta's fateful decision. The contrast between Spartan traditionalism and Athenian dynamism becomes a central theme that will resonate throughout Thucydides' work.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Spartan Conservatism
The Corinthians criticize Sparta's adherence to traditional ways and reluctance to adapt. This conservatism was both a source of Spartan stability and, according to critics, a weakness in dealing with innovative Athens. Spartan society prioritized maintaining established customs over embracing change.
Learn more →Athenian Innovation
Athens is portrayed as constantly evolving and improving its methods, reflecting its democratic culture and maritime empire. This dynamism in politics, military tactics, and technology gave Athens advantages but also made it seem threatening to more traditional Greek states.
Learn more →Potidaea
A Corinthian colony that revolted from Athens in 432 BCE, becoming a flashpoint for war. Athens besieged the city, and Corinth's appeals for Spartan aid to Potidaea became a major factor in Sparta's decision to declare war.
Learn more →Greek Interstate Relations
The passage illustrates the complex alliance system of ancient Greece. Treaties were sworn before gods, making them sacred obligations. The threat of allies switching sides was a constant concern in Greek diplomacy.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29-31)
Describes the growing tensions between Athens and Sparta, including the Megarian Decree and Pericles' strategy of avoiding direct confrontation while maintaining Athenian power.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.39-40)
Provides an alternative account of the debates at Sparta before the war, including different perspectives on Athenian power and Spartan responses to allied complaints.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (2.2.19-20)
Though describing later events, Xenophon reflects on the fundamental differences between Athenian and Spartan political cultures that the Corinthians highlight here.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the Corinthian critique of Spartan foreign policy reflect broader tensions between tradition and innovation in Greek society?
- What does this passage reveal about the role of religious oaths and divine sanction in Greek international relations?
- How might the Athenian envoys' strategy of addressing the assembly, despite being there on other business, reflect Athenian diplomatic sophistication?
- To what extent is the Corinthian threat to seek other alliances a genuine possibility versus a rhetorical device?