Today's Passage
This passage occurs in Thucydides' archaeological introduction, where he traces the development of Greek naval power from ancient times to the Persian Wars.
Crawley Translation (1910)
But as the power of Hellas grew, and the acquisition of wealth became more an object, the revenues of the states increasing, tyrannies were by their means established almost everywhere—the old form of government being hereditary monarchy with definite prerogatives—and Hellas began to fit out fleets and apply herself more closely to the sea. It is said that the Corinthians were the first to approach the modern style of naval architecture, and that Corinth was the first place in Hellas where galleys were built; and we have Ameinocles, a Corinthian shipwright, making four ships for the Samians. Dating from the end of this war, it is nearly three hundred years ago that Ameinocles went to Samos. Again, the earliest sea-fight in history was between the Corinthians and Corcyraeans; this was about two hundred and sixty years ago, dating from the same time. Planted on an isthmus, Corinth had from time out of mind been a commercial emporium; as formerly almost all communication between the Hellenes within and without Peloponnese was carried on overland, and the Corinthian territory was the highway through which it travelled. She had consequently great money resources, as is shown by the epithet “wealthy” bestowed by the old poets on the place, and this enabled her, when traffic by sea became more common, to procure her navy and put down piracy; and as she could offer a mart for both branches of the trade, she acquired for herself all the power which a large revenue affords. Subsequently the Ionians attained to great naval strength in the reign of Cyrus, the first king of the Persians, and of his son Cambyses, and while they were at war with the former commanded for a while the Ionian sea. Polycrates also, the tyrant of Samos, had a powerful navy in the reign of Cambyses, with which he reduced many of the islands, and among them Rhenea, which he consecrated to the Delian Apollo. About this time also the Phocaeans, while they were founding Marseilles, defeated the Carthaginians in a sea-fight. These were the most powerful navies. And even these, although so many generations had elapsed since the Trojan war, seem to have been principally composed of the old fifty-oars and long-boats, and to have counted few galleys among their ranks. Indeed it was only shortly the Persian war, and the death of Darius the successor of Cambyses, that the Sicilian tyrants and the Corcyraeans acquired any large number of galleys. For after these there were no navies of any account in Hellas till the expedition of Xerxes; Aegina, Athens, and others may have possessed a few vessels, but they were principally fifty-oars. It was quite at the end of this period that the war with Aegina and the prospect of the barbarian invasion enabled Themistocles to persuade the Athenians to build the fleet with which they fought at Salamis; and even these vessels had not complete decks.
Modern Translation
As the power of Greece expanded and the pursuit of wealth became increasingly important, state revenues grew substantially. This economic growth led to the establishment of tyrannies nearly everywhere, replacing the traditional form of government—hereditary monarchy with clearly defined privileges. During this period, Greece began constructing naval fleets and developing stronger maritime capabilities. The Corinthians are credited as the first to develop modern naval construction techniques, and Corinth was reportedly the first Greek city where triremes were built. We know of Ameinocles, a Corinthian shipbuilder, who constructed four vessels for the Samians. Calculating from the end of this present war, this occurred approximately three hundred years ago when Ameinocles traveled to Samos. The earliest recorded naval battle was fought between Corinth and Corcyra, taking place roughly two hundred and sixty years ago, measured from the same point in time. Located on an isthmus, Corinth had functioned as a commercial hub since ancient times. Previously, nearly all trade between Greeks inside and outside the Peloponnese moved overland, with Corinthian territory serving as the essential corridor. This strategic position generated substantial wealth, as evidenced by ancient poets calling the city 'wealthy.' When maritime commerce expanded, Corinth used these resources to build her navy and eliminate piracy. By providing markets for both land and sea trade, she accumulated the considerable power that great wealth provides. Later, the Ionians developed formidable naval strength during the reigns of Cyrus, the first Persian king, and his son Cambyses. While at war with Cyrus, they temporarily controlled the Ionian Sea. Polycrates, the tyrant of Samos, also commanded a powerful fleet during Cambyses' reign, conquering numerous islands including Rhenea, which he dedicated to Delian Apollo. Around this time, the Phocaeans defeated the Carthaginians in a naval engagement while establishing Marseilles. These represented the most powerful navies of their era. Yet even these fleets, despite the many generations since the Trojan War, consisted mainly of traditional penteconters and longboats, with few proper triremes. It was only shortly before the Persian War and the death of Darius (Cambyses' successor) that Sicilian tyrants and the Corcyraeans acquired significant numbers of triremes. After these developments, Greece possessed no noteworthy navies until Xerxes' invasion. Aegina, Athens, and other states might have owned some vessels, but these were mostly penteconters. Only at the very end of this period did the conflict with Aegina and the threat of Persian invasion enable Themistocles to convince the Athenians to construct the fleet that fought at Salamis—and even these ships lacked complete decks.
Historical Context
This passage occurs in Thucydides' archaeological introduction, where he traces the development of Greek naval power from ancient times to the Persian Wars. He emphasizes how economic growth led to political change (tyrannies replacing monarchies) and naval expansion. Corinth emerges as the pioneering naval power due to its strategic location controlling land trade routes between northern Greece and the Peloponnese. The passage highlights the gradual evolution from simple fifty-oared vessels to more sophisticated triremes, with specific chronological markers helping readers understand the timeline. This sets up Thucydides' later argument about Athens' unprecedented naval dominance and its role in causing the Peloponnesian War.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Tyranny in Archaic Greece
Tyranny emerged in many Greek city-states during the 7th-6th centuries BCE as wealthy individuals seized power from traditional aristocracies. These rulers often promoted trade, public works, and cultural development, though the term later acquired negative connotations.
Learn more →Trireme Development
The trireme was a revolutionary warship with three banks of oars, providing unprecedented speed and maneuverability. Its development around 700-650 BCE transformed naval warfare and enabled the maritime empires of Athens and other Greek states.
Learn more →Corinthian Trade Network
Corinth's position on the Isthmus made it the crucial link between the Aegean and Adriatic seas. The city controlled the diolkos, a paved trackway for transporting ships overland, and established colonies throughout the Mediterranean.
Learn more →Battle of Salamis
The naval battle of Salamis (480 BCE) saw the Greek fleet, primarily Athenian, defeat the Persian armada. Themistocles' strategy and the Athenian naval program mentioned here proved decisive in preserving Greek independence.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Herodotus: Histories (Book 7.144)
Herodotus describes Themistocles' proposal to use silver from Laurion to build 200 triremes, initially for war with Aegina but ultimately used against Persia, corroborating Thucydides' account.
Read passage →Aristotle: Politics (Book 5.1315b)
Aristotle discusses how tyrants typically arose from popular leaders who championed the people against aristocrats, often using wealth from trade, supporting Thucydides' connection between commerce and tyranny.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Themistocles (Chapter 4)
Plutarch provides details about Themistocles' naval policy and the debate over using Laurion silver for ships versus distributing it to citizens, expanding on Thucydides' brief mention.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides connect economic development, political change, and military innovation in this passage? What does this suggest about his view of historical causation?
- Why might Thucydides emphasize Corinth's role in naval development? How does this relate to Corinth's position in the conflict between Athens and Sparta?
- What does the gradual development of naval technology suggest about the nature of military innovation in ancient Greece?
- How does Thucydides use specific chronological markers in this passage? What effect does this have on his credibility as a historian?