History of the Peloponnesian War

Athens holds an assembly to discuss how to punish the Mytilenians. Initially, they vote to kill the entire male population but then reconsider and convene a second assembly. Cleon, who Thucydides says was known “for the violence of his character,” argues in favor of killing and enslaving all, even those who are not responsible for the revolt (212). He claims that an imperial power cannot afford to “feel pity,” “to be carried away by the pleasure of hearing a clever argument,” or “to listen to the claims of decency” (216). Diodotus counterargues that good citizens present fair arguments; they do not attempt to frighten opponents into submission. He cautions against hastily succumbing to anger and notes that the harshest criminal penalties do not universally deter crime. Killing the Mytilenians, he says, would punish those who helped Athens and provide the “reactionary classes” the motive they “most want” (222). He asserts that the wise “are more formidable to their enemies than those who rush madly into strong action” (222).

Diodotus’ motion to spare the innocent Mytilenians passes. However, the Athenians have already sent a trireme (an ancient Greek ship) to Mytilene with the initial order to kill and enslave the entire population. A second trireme is quickly dispatched with Mytilenian ambassadors aboard. They promise “great rewards” to the men if they arrive in time to save the people (223). Thucydides notes the men on the second ship are more motivated to row with speed than are the men on the first. The second ship’s crew rows throughout the night and arrives just in time to save the innocent.

The Plataeans who remained behind in the besieged city run out of food and are forced to surrender to Sparta. Five Spartan judges arrive to determine the Plataeans’ fate. The Plataeans present an argument for why they should be dealt with leniently: when the Thebans menaced the Plataeans, Sparta refused their pleas for help, effectively forcing them to ally with Athens. The Thebans offer an alternate history, accusing the Plataeans of collaborating with first Athens then Persia. The Spartans rule with the Thebans. They raze the city, enslave the women, and confiscate the land. Thucydides says Sparta “acted so mercilessly towards the Plataeans” because Thebes was useful to them (236).

On Corcyra, a group of wealthy oligarchs accuse the democratic leader of enslaving Corcyra to Athens. Fighting breaks out, and the oligarchs assume control and declare Corcyra neutral. Both sides seek the backing of the city’s slaves, the majority of whom side with the democrats. They defeat the oligarchs, who set fire to the homes around the town square. The entire city “might well have been destroyed” had a wind “blown fires in the direction of other buildings” (238). An Athenian general brokers a short-lived truce before fighting breaks out again. A Peloponnesian fleet arrives to support the oligarchs and defeats the disorganized Corcyran navy but then flees. Pro-democracy factions in the city massacre their enemies, and Corcyra descends into internal instability and famine.

Athens conducts operations in Sicily, where local cities fight amongst themselves and engage the two powers (Athens and Sparta) on their behalf. Meanwhile, the plague intensifies in Athens. The Peloponnesians’ planned invasion of Attica is cancelled after an earthquake. Thucydides describes the “huge wave” the earthquake triggers, which sweeps away a city. Athens sends Demosthenes to sail around the Peloponnese and Nicias to subdue Melos, which refuses to join the Athenian alliance. Sparta founds the colony of Heraclea in Trachis, but it fails to thrive. Demosthenes attacks Aetolia on behalf of the Messenians, and his troops are routed. 

The Athenians purify Delos, Apollo’s sacred island. Sparta helps Ambracia attack Amphilochia. Demosthenes defeats the Ambraciot-Spartan forces. The Arcananians and Amphilochians enter into a 100-year treaty with the Ambraciots. The Athenians send more ships to Sicily, whereMount Etna erupts.