Today's Passage
This passage describes the crucial post-Persian War moment when Athens, under Themistocles' guidance, secretly rebuilt its walls despite Spartan opposition.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Perceiving what they were going to do, the Lacedaemonians sent an embassy to Athens. They would have themselves preferred to see neither her nor any other city in possession of a wall; though here they acted principally at the instigation of their allies, who were alarmed at the strength of her newly acquired navy and the valour which she had displayed in the war with the Medes. They begged her not only to abstain from building walls for herself, but also to join them in throwing down the walls that still held together of the ultra-Peloponnesian cities. The real meaning of their advice, the suspicion that it contained against the Athenians, was not proclaimed; it was urged that so the barbarian, in the event of a third invasion, would not have any strong place, such as he now had in Thebes, for his base of operations; and that Peloponnese would suffice for all as a base both for retreat and offence. After the Lacedaemonians had thus spoken, they were, on the advice of Themistocles, immediately dismissed by the Athenians, with the answer that ambassadors should be sent to Sparta to discuss the question. Themistocles told the Athenians to send him off with all speed to Lacedaemon, but not to dispatch his colleagues as soon as they had selected them, but to wait until they had raised their wall to the height from which defence was possible. Meanwhile the whole population in the city was to labour at the wall, the Athenians, their wives, and their children, sparing no edifice, private or public, which might be of any use to the work, but throwing all down. After giving these instructions, and adding that he would be responsible for all other matters there, he departed. Arrived at Lacedaemon he did not seek an audience with the authorities, but tried to gain time and made excuses. When any of the government asked him why he did not appear in the assembly, he would say that he was waiting for his colleagues, who had been detained in Athens by some engagement; however, that he expected their speedy arrival, and wondered that they were not yet there. At first the Lacedaemonians trusted the words of Themistocles, through their friendship for him; but when others arrived, all distinctly declaring that the work was going on and already attaining some elevation, they did not know how to disbelieve it. Aware of this, he told them that rumours are deceptive, and should not be trusted; they should send some reputable persons from Sparta to inspect, whose report might be trusted. They dispatched them accordingly. Concerning these Themistocles secretly sent word to the Athenians to detain them as far as possible without putting them under open constraint, and not to let them go until they had themselves returned. For his colleagues had now joined him, Abronichus, son of Lysicles, and Aristides, son of Lysimachus, with the news that the wall was sufficiently advanced; and he feared that when the Lacedaemonians heard the facts, they might refuse to let them go. So the Athenians detained the envoys according to his message, and Themistocles had an audience with the Lacedaemonians, and at last openly told them that Athens was now fortified sufficiently to protect its inhabitants; that any embassy which the Lacedaemonians or their allies might wish to send to them should in future proceed on the assumption that the people to whom they were going was able to distinguish both its own and the general interests. That when the Athenians thought fit to abandon their city and to embark in their ships, they ventured on that perilous step without consulting them; and that on the other hand, wherever they had deliberated with the Lacedaemonians, they had proved themselves to be in judgment second to none. That they now thought it fit that their city should have a wall, and that this would be more for the advantage of both the citizens of Athens and the Hellenic confederacy; for without equal military strength it was impossible to contribute equal or fair counsel to the common interest. It followed, he observed, either that all the members of the confederacy should be without walls, or that the present step should be considered a right one.
Modern Translation
When the Spartans realized what the Athenians intended to do, they dispatched ambassadors to Athens. They themselves would have preferred that neither Athens nor any other city possess fortification walls, though in this matter they were acting mainly under pressure from their allies, who were deeply concerned about Athens' newly-acquired naval power and the courage she had demonstrated in the war against the Persians. The Spartans urged Athens not only to refrain from building walls around her own city, but also to join them in demolishing the remaining fortifications of cities outside the Peloponnese. They did not openly declare the true purpose of their proposal or their suspicions regarding Athenian ambitions. Instead, they argued that if the barbarian invaded a third time, he would have no fortified position to use as his operational base, as he had previously done at Thebes, and that the Peloponnese alone would provide sufficient territory for all Greeks to use as a base for both defensive retreat and offensive operations. After the Spartans presented their case, the Athenians, following Themistocles' counsel, promptly dismissed them with the response that Athens would send its own ambassadors to Sparta to discuss the matter. Themistocles instructed the Athenians to send him immediately to Sparta, but to delay dispatching his fellow ambassadors until the city walls had reached a defensible height. In the meantime, the entire population—men, women, and children—was to work on the fortifications, demolishing any building, whether private or public, that could provide useful materials for construction. After issuing these directives and assuring them he would handle all other matters in Sparta, he set off. Upon reaching Sparta, Themistocles deliberately avoided meeting with the authorities, employing various delaying tactics and excuses. Whenever government officials questioned why he had not appeared before the assembly, he claimed he was waiting for his colleagues, who had been unavoidably detained in Athens; he expressed surprise at their continued absence and assured them of their imminent arrival. Initially, the Spartans believed Themistocles because of their personal regard for him. However, when other visitors arrived from Athens, all reporting consistently that construction was progressing and the walls were already reaching considerable height, they found it difficult to maintain their skepticism. Recognizing this shift in their attitude, Themistocles suggested that rumors were unreliable and should not be trusted; he recommended that Sparta send trustworthy representatives to inspect the situation and report back with firsthand information. The Spartans agreed and dispatched their envoys. Regarding these inspectors, Themistocles secretly instructed the Athenians to detain them as discreetly as possible, without overtly imprisoning them, and to hold them until he and his colleagues returned safely. By this time, his fellow ambassadors—Abronichus, son of Lysicles, and Aristides, son of Lysimachus—had arrived with news that the walls had reached sufficient height. Themistocles feared that once the Spartans learned the truth, they might prevent the Athenian delegation from leaving. Following his instructions, the Athenians detained the Spartan envoys. Themistocles then requested and received an audience with the Spartan authorities, where he finally revealed the truth: Athens was now adequately fortified to protect its citizens. Any future embassy from Sparta or its allies should proceed with the understanding that they were dealing with a people fully capable of determining both their own interests and those of Greece as a whole. He reminded them that when Athens had decided to abandon their city and take to their ships, they had made that dangerous decision without consulting Sparta; conversely, whenever Athens had deliberated with Sparta, they had demonstrated judgment equal to any. The Athenians now considered it appropriate for their city to have walls, believing this would benefit both their own citizens and the entire Hellenic alliance. Without equal military capability, he argued, it was impossible to offer equal or equitable counsel in matters of common concern. Therefore, either all confederate cities should demolish their walls, or Athens' decision to fortify should be accepted as legitimate.
Historical Context
This passage describes the crucial post-Persian War moment when Athens, under Themistocles' guidance, secretly rebuilt its walls despite Spartan opposition. Following the Persian retreat in 479 BCE, Athens lay in ruins. The Spartans, alarmed by Athenian naval power demonstrated during the war, attempted to prevent Athens from rebuilding its fortifications under the pretext of denying future invaders a stronghold. Themistocles orchestrated an elaborate deception, stalling Spartan authorities while Athenians frantically constructed their walls. This episode marks a pivotal shift in Greek power dynamics, as Athens asserted its independence and equal status with Sparta, setting the stage for future rivalry between the two powers that would culminate in the Peloponnesian War.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Themistocles' Diplomacy
Themistocles (c. 524-459 BCE) was the architect of Athenian naval power and a master of realpolitik. His deception of Sparta demonstrated his understanding that diplomatic niceties must sometimes yield to strategic necessities. This episode showcases his ability to manipulate international relations through delay, misdirection, and calculated revelation of truth.
Learn more →Athenian Walls
The Long Walls of Athens eventually connected the city to its port at Piraeus, creating an impregnable fortress as long as Athens controlled the sea. These fortifications became the physical manifestation of Athens' strategic doctrine: naval supremacy combined with defensive walls allowed the city to withstand land-based sieges while maintaining access to maritime resources and trade.
Learn more →Post-Persian War Politics
After defeating Persia (480-479 BCE), Greek unity quickly dissolved. Sparta, traditionally the dominant land power, viewed Athens' growing naval strength and democratic ideology with suspicion. This wall-building episode represents the first major post-war confrontation between future rivals, revealing fundamental differences in their strategic outlooks and political systems.
Learn more →Aristides the Just
Aristides (c. 530-468 BCE), known for his integrity, served as Themistocles' colleague in this embassy. Despite their previous rivalry (Aristides had been ostracized partly due to Themistocles), they cooperated in this crucial deception. His participation lent moral authority to what might otherwise seem merely cunning manipulation.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Themistocles (Chapter 19)
Plutarch provides additional details about Themistocles' deception, including how he instructed Athenians to use any available materials, including stones from tombs and statues, resulting in the irregular construction of the walls.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 11.39-40)
Diodorus offers a parallel account emphasizing Spartan jealousy of Athenian power and provides additional context about the broader Greek political situation following the Persian Wars.
Read passage →Cornelius Nepos: Life of Themistocles (Chapters 6-7)
Nepos provides a condensed version focusing on Themistocles' cleverness and the Spartans' frustration, emphasizing the personal dimension of the diplomatic maneuvering.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- Was Themistocles' deception of the Spartans morally justified? How do we balance diplomatic honesty with national security interests?
- How does this episode illustrate the transition from cooperative Greek resistance against Persia to inter-Greek rivalry? What factors made this shift inevitable?
- Analyze Themistocles' argument about 'equal military strength' being necessary for 'equal counsel.' How does this principle apply to modern international relations?
- What does this passage reveal about the nature of power in ancient Greek interstate relations? How do walls serve both practical and symbolic functions?