Today's Passage
This passage presents Pericles' speech to the Athenian assembly in 432 BCE, on the eve of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“There is one principle, Athenians, which I hold to through everything, and that is the principle of no concession to the Peloponnesians. I know that the spirit which inspires men while they are being persuaded to make war is not always retained in action; that as circumstances change, resolutions change. Yet I see that now as before the same, almost literally the same, counsel is demanded of me; and I put it to those of you who are allowing yourselves to be persuaded, to support the national resolves even in the case of reverses, or to forfeit all credit for their wisdom in the event of success. For sometimes the course of things is as arbitrary as the plans of man; indeed this is why we usually blame chance for whatever does not happen as we expected. Now it was clear before that Lacedaemon entertained designs against us; it is still more clear now. The treaty provides that we shall mutually submit our differences to legal settlement, and that we shall meanwhile each keep what we have. Yet the Lacedaemonians never yet made us any such offer, never yet would accept from us any such offer; on the contrary, they wish complaints to be settled by war instead of by negotiation; and in the end we find them here dropping the tone of expostulation and adopting that of command. They order us to raise the siege of Potidæa, to let Aegina be independent, to revoke the Megara decree; and they conclude with an ultimatum warning us to leave the Hellenes independent. I hope that you will none of you think that we shall be going to war for a trifle if we refuse to revoke the Megara decree, which appears in front of their complaints, and the revocation of which is to save us from war, or let any feeling of self-reproach linger in your minds, as if you went to war for slight cause. Why, this trifle contains the whole seal and trial of your resolution. If you give way, you will instantly have to meet some greater demand, as having been frightened into obedience in the first instance; while a firm refusal will make them clearly understand that they must treat you more as equals. Make your decision therefore at once, either to submit before you are harmed, or if we are to go to war, as I for one think we ought, to do so without caring whether the ostensible cause be great or small, resolved against making concessions or consenting to a precarious tenure of our possessions. For all claims from an equal, urged upon a neighbour as commands before any attempt at legal settlement, be they great or be they small, have only one meaning, and that is slavery.
Modern Translation
There is one principle, Athenians, that I maintain consistently throughout all circumstances: we must make no concessions to the Peloponnesians. I understand that the enthusiasm which drives people to vote for war does not always persist when action is required; as situations evolve, so do our resolutions. Nevertheless, I observe that the same advice—virtually word for word—is required of me now as before. I ask those of you who are being persuaded to support our national decisions even if we suffer setbacks, or else forfeit any claim to wisdom should we succeed. For the course of events can be as unpredictable as human planning; this is precisely why we typically blame fortune when things don't unfold as anticipated. It was evident before that Sparta harbored hostile intentions toward us; it is even clearer now. The treaty stipulates that we should submit our disputes to arbitration while maintaining the status quo. Yet the Spartans have never made such a proposal to us, nor would they accept one from us. Instead, they prefer to settle grievances through warfare rather than negotiation. Now they arrive here, abandoning the language of complaint and adopting that of command. They demand we lift the siege of Potidaea, grant Aegina independence, and repeal the Megarian decree. They conclude with an ultimatum: leave the Greeks autonomous. I trust none of you will think we're going to war over something trivial if we refuse to rescind the Megarian decree, which heads their list of grievances and whose repeal supposedly would prevent war. Don't let self-doubt linger, thinking you're fighting for minor reasons. This apparent trifle represents the complete test and proof of your determination. If you yield, you'll immediately face greater demands, having shown you can be intimidated into compliance. But firm resistance will make them understand they must treat you as equals. Therefore, decide immediately: either surrender before suffering harm, or if we go to war—as I believe we should—do so regardless of whether the stated cause seems significant or minor, determined neither to make concessions nor to hold our possessions on uncertain terms. For when an equal makes any demand upon a neighbor as a command, without attempting legal resolution first, whether the demand is large or small, it means only one thing: enslavement.
Historical Context
This passage presents Pericles' speech to the Athenian assembly in 432 BCE, on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. Sparta has issued an ultimatum demanding Athens reverse several policies, including the Megarian Decree (an economic embargo against Megara). Pericles, Athens' leading statesman, argues against any concessions, viewing Spartan demands as a test of Athenian resolve. He frames the conflict not as a dispute over specific grievances but as a fundamental question of Athenian independence and equality. This speech exemplifies the hardline stance that would lead Athens into a devastating 27-year conflict. Pericles' rhetoric reveals the imperial mentality of democratic Athens and the impossibility of compromise between two competing hegemonic powers in the Greek world.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Megarian Decree
An economic embargo imposed by Athens around 432 BCE, banning Megarians from Athenian markets and harbors. Though seemingly a minor trade restriction, it became a major casus belli for the Peloponnesian War, as Megara was a Spartan ally and the decree demonstrated Athens' willingness to use economic warfare.
Learn more →Athenian Democracy and War
Pericles' speech illustrates how democratic deliberation functioned in classical Athens. The assembly (ekklesia) of all male citizens voted on matters of war and peace. Pericles acknowledges the challenge of maintaining popular resolve, showing how democratic decision-making complicated sustained military policy.
Learn more →Greek Interstate Arbitration
Pericles references treaty provisions for arbitration (dikai), a common feature of Greek diplomatic agreements. Cities would submit disputes to neutral third parties for resolution. Sparta's refusal to use these mechanisms justified Athens' stance and highlighted the breakdown of diplomatic norms before the war.
Learn more →Potidaea Siege
A crucial flashpoint before the war. Potidaea, a Corinthian colony but Athenian tributary, revolted in 432 BCE. Athens besieged the city, leading to Corinthian involvement and escalating tensions. The siege represented Athens' determination to maintain its empire despite Peloponnesian opposition.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29-32)
Plutarch provides additional context about Pericles' motivations and the domestic political pressure he faced. He suggests Pericles promoted war partly to maintain his political position, offering a more cynical interpretation than Thucydides.
Read passage →Aristophanes: Acharnians (515-539)
The comic playwright presents a satirical view of the war's origins, blaming it on petty personal disputes and the Megarian Decree. This contemporary perspective shows how some Athenians viewed their leaders' justifications skeptically.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.39-40)
Diodorus offers an alternative account emphasizing economic motivations and providing different details about the diplomatic exchanges. His version highlights the role of Corinth in pushing Sparta toward war.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Pericles' framing of the conflict as 'slavery versus freedom' shape the Athenian response? Is this rhetoric justified or manipulative?
- What does this speech reveal about the relationship between democracy and imperial power in classical Athens?
- Pericles argues that conceding on small matters leads to greater demands. How does this 'domino theory' reasoning appear in modern international relations?
- How does Pericles address the challenge of maintaining democratic resolve during extended conflict? What are the implications for modern democracies at war?