Melian dialogue in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War

Melian Dialogue

An example of realism in politics, or the emotions provoked by war?

Summary and analysis of the Melian dialogue of Thucydides

Melos was a Peloponnesian island that refused to submit to the superior military power of Athenians like the other islands in the region during the Peloponnesian War. The ensuing conflict was chronicled by Thucydides in his history of the protracted conflict between Athens and Sparta. At first the Melians remained neutral and took no part in the struggle between Athens and Sparta. Afterwards, when the Athenians attempted to use violence and plunder Melian territory, the residents unsurprisingly "assumed an attitude of open hostility" towards Athens (Thucydides, "History of the Peloponnesian War," Chapter XVII).

The dialogue that transpired between the representatives of Athens and Melos is surprising for a reader who associates Athens with democracy and freedom, as eloquently expressed in Pericles' funeral oration, which is included in a later chapter of Thucydides' history. In the Melian dialogue, the Athenians openly espouse an ideology of realpolitick. The Athenians say to the Melians: "we shall not trouble you with specious pretences," about morality in politics and justify the Athenian empire, because the Athenians know the Melians will not believe their rhetoric. (Chapter XVII) Instead, the Athenians ask the Melians to view the current situation objectively and "aim at what is feasible...you know as well as we do that right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must" (Chapter XVIII).

In short, the Athenians state that might essentially makes right during wartime, and the Athenians have might, and the Melians do not, even if they think they are right. Very well, say the Melians, we will speak only of rational interests. If we fall, the vengeance of Sparta will be terrible and you will lose your empire. The Athenians say that is a calculated risk that they are willing to take, and that the Spartans (Lacedaemons) will not utterly destroy them, as they will the Melians, because the Athenians will still be strong and great enough in reputation and might, even when a vanquished people. The Athenians have no dislike of the Melians, and are happy to let the islanders live and let live within the Athenian sphere of influence, but they will retaliate without mercy if they oppose Athenian self-interest in the region. The Melians offer Athens neutrality, which Athens says would be just as detrimental to Athenian interests in the region as an open Melian alliance with Sparta, as it would set a bad example to other Athenian colonies: "is rather islanders like yourselves, outside our empire, and subjects smarting under the yoke, who would be the most likely to take a rash step and lead themselves and us into obvious danger" (Chapter XVII). The Melians say it would be cowardice to not resist, even if it seems foolish.