Today's Passage
Thucydides is analyzing the nature of Agamemnon's power during the Trojan War, using it as a historical precedent to illustrate the importance of naval supremacy.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Now Agamemnon’s was a continental power; and he could not have been master of any except the adjacent islands (and these would not be many), but through the possession of a fleet.
Modern Translation
Agamemnon ruled a land-based empire; without naval power, he could not have controlled any islands except those nearest the mainland (which would have been few in number).
Historical Context
Thucydides is analyzing the nature of Agamemnon's power during the Trojan War, using it as a historical precedent to illustrate the importance of naval supremacy. This passage forms part of his 'Archaeology' - his reconstruction of early Greek history in Book 1. He argues that Agamemnon's ability to lead the expedition against Troy depended not just on oath-obligations but on his superior power, particularly his fleet. This discussion serves Thucydides' larger purpose of demonstrating how sea power, rather than land-based might, became the foundation of true empire in the Greek world. The historian uses this ancient example to prepare readers for understanding Athens' later naval empire and the dynamics of the Peloponnesian War.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Naval Power in Ancient Greece
Thucydides emphasizes thalassocracy (sea power) as essential for controlling territory beyond one's immediate borders. This reflects fifth-century Athenian ideology, where naval supremacy enabled control of the Aegean islands and coastal cities through the Delian League.
Learn more →Agamemnon's Kingdom
In Greek tradition, Agamemnon ruled Mycenae and much of the Peloponnese. Archaeological evidence confirms Mycenaean civilization's prominence in the Late Bronze Age, though the extent of centralized control remains debated by scholars.
Learn more →The Archaeology
Chapters 1-19 of Book 1 comprise Thucydides' 'Archaeology,' his rational reconstruction of early Greek history. He applies contemporary political analysis to mythical periods, demonstrating historical method and the evolution of power.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Homer: Iliad (Book 2.108-109, 569-580)
Homer's Catalogue of Ships describes Agamemnon contributing 100 ships to the Trojan expedition, the largest contingent, supporting Thucydides' emphasis on his naval resources.
Read passage →Herodotus: Histories (Book 7.159)
Herodotus discusses Polycrates of Samos's naval power and island empire, providing another example of how fleet strength enabled control of scattered territories in the Aegean.
Read passage →Pseudo-Xenophon: Constitution of the Athenians (2.2-3)
This text explicitly discusses how naval power allows Athens to control islands and coastal cities while being vulnerable only to land-based continental powers.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides use the example of Agamemnon to illustrate broader principles about the relationship between geography and political power?
- What assumptions does Thucydides make about the nature of power and empire that might reflect fifth-century Athenian perspectives?
- How does the distinction between continental and maritime power help explain the strategic dynamics of the Peloponnesian War?
- In what ways does Thucydides' rational analysis of mythical events demonstrate his historical methodology?