Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 3.36

[1] These men, and Salaethus with them, being arrived at Athens, the Athenians slew Salaethus presently, though he made them many offers, and amongst other to get the army of the Peloponnesians to rise from before Plataea, for it was yet besieged.

[2] But upon the rest they went to council and in their passion decreed to put them to death, not only those men there present but also all the men of Mytilene that were of age, and to make slaves of the women and children, laying to their charge the revolt itself in that they revolted not being in subjection as others were; and withal the Peloponnesian fleet, which durst enter into Ionia to their aid, had not a little aggravated that commotion. For by that it seemed that the revolt was not made without much premeditation.

[3] They therefore sent a galley to inform Paches of their decree with command to put the Mytilenaeans presently to death.

[4] But the next day they felt a kind of repentance in themselves and began to consider what a great and cruel decree it was that not the authors only but the whole city should be destroyed.

[5] Which when the ambassadors of the Mytilenaeans that were there present and such Athenians as favoured them understood, they wrought with those that bare office to bring the matter again into debate, wherein they easily prevailed, forasmuch as to them also it was well known that the most of the city were desirous to have means to consult of the same anew.

[6] The assembly being presently met, among the opinions of divers others Cleon also, the son of Cleaenetus, who in the former assembly had won to have them killed, being of all the citizens most violent and with the people at that time far the most powerful, stood forth and said in this manner:

[1] Upon the arrival of the prisoners with Salaethus, the Athenians at once put the latter to death, although he offered, among other things, to procure the withdrawal of the Peloponnesians from Plataea , which was still under siege;

[2] and after deliberating as to what they should do with the former, in the fury of the moment determined to put to death not only the prisoners at Athens , but the whole adult male population of Mitylene , and to make slaves of the women and children. It was remarked that Mitylene had revolted without being, like the rest, subjected to the empire; and what above all swelled the wrath of the Athenians was the fact of the Peloponnesian fleet having ventured over to Ionia to her support, a fact which was held to argue a long-meditated rebellion.

[3] They accordingly sent a trireme to communicate the decree to Paches, commanding him to lose no time in despatching the Mitylenians.

[4] The morrow brought repentance with it and reflection on the horrid cruelty of a decree, which condemned a whole city to the fate merited only by the guilty.

[5] This was no sooner perceived by the Mitylenian ambassadors at Athens and their Athenian supporters, than they moved the authorities to put the question again to the vote; which they the more easily consented to do, as they themselves plainly saw that most of the citizens wished some one to give them an opportunity for reconsidering the matter.

[6] An assembly was therefore at once called, and after much expression of opinion upon both sides, Cleon, son of Cleaenetus, the same who had carried the former motion of putting the Mitylenians to death, the most violent man at Athens , and at that time by far the most powerful with the commons, came forward again and spoke as follows:—

Als diese Männer und Saläthos angekommen waren,
ließen die Athener den Saläthos sogleich hinrichten, obwohl er
manche Versprechungen machte, neben Anderem auch, daß er die
Peloponnesier zum Abzug von Platäa bewegen wolle; denn diese Stadt
wurde immer noch belagert. Wegen der Mytilenäer aber
berathschlagten sie erst, und in ihrer Erbitterung faßten sie Beschluß, nicht nur die
nach Athen Gebrachten, sondern Alles in Mytilene, was die mann-
baren Jahre erreicht habe, hinzurichten, Weiber und Kinder aber zu
Sklaven zu machen. Dabei machten sie ihnen nicht nur zum
besondern Vorwurf, daß sie überhaupt abgefallen, obfchon sie die
Herrschaft der Athener nicht in der Art wie die Uebrigen zu ertragen
hatten ^), sondern es war besonders das Erscheinen der peloponnesischen
Schiffe in den Ionischen Gewässern, was ihre Aufregung vermehrte,
die auf eigene Gefahr es gewagt hätten, jenen zu Hülfe zu
kommen 23). Denn daraus schien hervorzugehen, daß der Abfall von ^{1 2 3}
langer Hand vorbereitet sei. Zur Uebermachung des Beschlusses
schickten sie dann einen Dreiruderer an den Paches und befahlen ihm,
mit den Mytilenäern so rasch wie möglich ein Ende zu machen. Am
folgenden Tage schon faßte sie indeß eine gewisse Reue, und sie
besannen sich, es sei doch ein unmenschlicher Beschluß und es wolle viel
heißen, eine ganze Stadt zu verderben und nicht die Schuldigen
allein. Als dieß die anwesenden Gesandten der Mytilenäer und ihre
Freunde unter den Athenern merkten, so bearbeiteten sie die Staats-
beamten, die Sache nochmals zur Abstimmung bringen zu lassen, und
sie überredeten sie dazu um so leichter, da es auch ihnen selbst deutlich
geworden war, daß es die Mehrzahl der Bürger gern sehe, wenn
ihnen jemand die Möglichkeit biete, die Sache nochmals zu berathen.
Als nun die Volksversammlung allsogleich zusammenberufen worden
und Verschiedene, ein Jeder seine Meinung darlegten, so trat auch
Kleon, des Kleänetos Sohn, wieder auf, der schon das erste Mal das
Todesurtheil durchgesetzt hatte, übrigens auch sonst der
Gewaltthätigste unter den Bürgern war und das Vertrauen des Volks wie
kein Anderer damals besaß, und redete also:

XXXVI. A l’arrivée des Mytiléniens et de Saléthus, les Athéniens mirent immédiatement à mort ce dernier, malgré toutes les offres qu’il put faire, entre autres celle d’éloigner de Platée les Lacédémoniens qui la tenaient encore assiégée. Ils délibérèrent ensuite sur le sort des autres, et, dans l’entrainement de la colère, ils résolurent de faire périr non-seulement ceux qui étaient présents, mais tous les Mytiléniens arrivés à âge d’homme ¹ , et de réduire les femmes et les enfants en esclavage. Ils leur reprochaient, en particu- lier, de s’être révoltés alors qu’ils n’étaient pas, comme les autres, réduits à l’état de sujets ; mais ce qui augmentait surtout leur irritation, c’était que la flotte péloponnésienne eût osé, pour secourir Mytilène, se risquer sur les côtes d’Ionie ; car ils en concluaient que la défection des Mytiléniens était la suite de quelque grand dessein. Ils envoyèrent donc une trirème porter leur résolution à Pachès, avec ordre de faire périr les Mytiléniens. Mais, dès le lendemain, ils éprou- vèrent une sorte de repentir : ils réfléchissaient combien était cruelle et terrible la décision par laquelle ils avaient condamné à périr une ville entière, au lieu de frapper seulement les coupables. Dès que les députés mytiléniens présents à Athènes et ceux des Athéniens qui leur étaient favorables s’aperçurent de ce changement, ils disposèrent les magistrats ² à provoquer une nouvelle délibération. Ceux-ci s’y prêtèrent aisément ; car il était évident pour eux que le plus grand nombre des citoyens désiraient pouvoir revenir sur leur délibération, L’assemblée fut aussitôt formée et chacun donna son avis. Cléon ³ fils de Cléenète, qui avait emporté la veille le décret de mort, le plus violent des citoyens ⁴ en toute occasion, et l’homme qui avait alors le plus d’ascendant sur le peuple, se présenta de nouveau et parla ainsi ⁵ :

A l'arrivée des Mytiléniens et de Saléthos, les Athéniens mirent immédiatement à mort ce dernier, malgré toutes les offres qu’il put leur faire, notamment d’éloigner de Platée les Péloponésiens, qui l’assiégeaient encore. Ils délibérèrent ensuite sur le sort des prisonniers. Dans un premier accès de colère, ils résolurent de faire périr, non-seulement ceux qui se trouvaient à Athènes, mais encore tous les Mytiléniens adultes, et de réduire en esclavage les femmes et les enfants. Ils ne leur pardonnaient pas de s’être portés à la révolte sans avoir, comme les autres, l’excuse de l’assujettissement ¹ . Ce qui augmentait l'irritation, c'était que la flotte péloponésienne eût osé s’aventurer en Ionie an secours de Mytilène; on y voyait l’indice d’une rébellion ourdie de longue main. Une trirème fut dépêchée à Pachès pour lui,notifier le décret et pour lui prescrire de passer immédiatement les Mytiléniens au fil de l’épée. Mais, dès le lendemain, les Athéniens se prirent à considérer l’énormité d’une sentence qui frappait un peuple entier au lieu des seuls coupables. Instruits de ce changement, les députés mytiléniens et leurs amis d’Athènes obtinrent des magistrats qu’ils remissent l'affaire en délibération. Ils y réussirent sans peine, car la majorité des citoyens désirait revenir sur le vote précédent. L’assemblée se forma sur-le-champ. On y entendit plusieurs orateurs, entre autres Cléon fils de Cléénétos ² , le même qui, la veille, avait fait passer le décret de mort. A cette époque, Athènes n’avait pas de citoyen plus violent ni plus écouté du peuple. Il monta de nouveau à la tribune et prononça le discours suivant :

[1] When Salaethus and the others arrived at Athens, the Athenians at once put Salaethus to death, although he offered among other things to induce the Peloponnesians to abandon Plataea, which was still under siege;

[2] as to the others they held a debate, and under the impulse of anger finally determined to put to death, not only the Mytilenaeans who were there in Athens, but also all who were of adult age, and to enslave their women and children. The general charge which they brought against them was that they had made this revolt in spite of the fact that they were not held in subjection like the other allies; and what contributed not least to their fury was that the Peloponnesian fleet had dared to venture over to Ionia to their support; for from this they thought the revolt had been made after long deliberation.

[3] Accordingly they sent a trireme to Paches to announce what had been determined upon, and bidding him to despatch the Mytilenaeans with all haste;

[4] but on the very next day a feeling of repentance came over them and they began to reflect that the design which they had formed was cruel and monstrous, to destroy a whole city instead of merely those who were guilty.

[5] And when this became known to the Mytilenaean ¹ envoys who were present and their Athenian supporters, they induced those in authority to bring the question before the people again; and they found less difficulty in persuading them because it was evident to them also that the greater part of the citizens wished that another opportunity should be given them to consider the matter.

[6] A meeting of the assembly was held immediately, at which various opinions were expressed by the several speakers. One of these was Cleon son of Cleaenetus, who had been successful in carrying the earlier motion to put the Mytilenaeans to death. He was not only the most violent of the citizens, but at that time had by far the greatest influence with the people. He now came forward a second time and spoke as follows:

[1] On the arrival of the men with Salaethus, the Athenians immediately put the latter to death, though he held out certain promises, and amongst others, that he would obtain the retreat of the Peloponnesians from Plataea (for it was still being besieged):

[2] but respecting the former they deliberated what to do; and in their anger they determined to put to death, not only those that were there, but all the Mytilenaeans also that were of age; and to make slaves of the women and children. For they both urged against them [the aggravated character of] their revolt in other respects, namely, that they had executed it without being subject to their dominion, like the rest; and the fact of the Peloponnesian ships having dared to venture over to Ionia to assist them, contributed also no little to their wrath;

[3] for they thought it was with no short premeditation that they had revolted. They sent therefore a trireme to Paches with intelligence of their resolution, and commanded him to despatch the Mytilenaeans as quickly as possible.

[4] The next day they felt immediately a degree of repentance, and reflected that the resolution they had passed was a cruel and sweeping one, to put a whole city to the sword, instead of those who were guilty.

[5] When the Mytilenaean ambassadors who were present, and those of the Athenians who co-operated with them, perceived this, they got the authorities to put the question again to the vote; and the more easily prevailed on them to do it, because they also saw plainly that the majority of the citizens wished some one to give them another opportunity of deliberating.

[6] An assembly therefore being immediately summoned, different opinions were expressed on both sides; and Cleon, son of Cleaenetus, who had carried the former resolution, to put them to death, being on other subjects also the most violent of the citizens, and by far the most influential with the commons, at that time came forward again, and spoke as follows:

[1] Quum autem cives illi et Salaethus Athenas pervenissent, Athenienses Salaclhum quidem confestim inter- fecerunt, licet proferentem quaedam, ac praecipue quidem, Peloponnesios a Plataeis (adhuc enim obsidebantur) se abducturum.

[2] De civibus vero consultare coeperunt, et piae ira censuerunt interficiendos non solum eos, qui aderant, sed etiam omnes Mytilenaeos, quotquot puberes essent, impuberes vero ac fceminas in servitutem redigendas, dantes crimini quum reliquam defectionem, quod eam non eidem quo ceteri socii imperio subjecti fecissent, tum etiam permultum ad iram augendam contulit, quod Peloponnesiorum classis in Ioniam ad eorum auxilium ausa erat accedere et pariter periculum subire; nec enim parvo consilio defectionem fecisse videbantur.

[3] Triremem igitur ad Paclie-tem mittunt, decretorum nuntiam, imperantes, ut primo quoque tempore Mytilenaeos necaret.

[4] Postero autem die confestim eos poenitentia quaedam subibat et cogitatio, saevum ac magnum decretum factum esse, quo tota civitas potius periret quam defectionis auctores evaderent.

[5] At quum Mytilenaeorum legati, qui aderant, et quotquot Athenienses iis studebant, hoc animadvertissent, subornarunt eos, qui in magistratu erant, ut hac de re iterum sententias rogarent; quod facilius persuaserunt, quia et illis hoc erat perspectum, majorem civium pariem cupere hac de re iterum consultandi potestatem sibi per aliquos dari.

[6] Quamobrem concione statim coacta, quum aliae sententiae a singulis sunt dictae, tum Cleo Cleaeneti filius, qui etiam in prioribus suffragiis evicerat, ut caedes fieret, omnium is quidem civium etiam ceteris in rebus violentissimus et apud plebem in tempore illo orator longe omnium maxime probatus, denuo in medium prodiit et hanc orationem habuit :

[1] Lasst mich mit unsern Ahnen beginnen; wir erfüllen nur eine Pflicht der Dankbarkeit und ehren uns selber, wenn wir bei dieser Feier ihnen ein Wort ehrender Erinnerung widmen.

Gli Ateniesi, arrivati che furono questi prigioni con Saleto , uccisero lui immediatamente, sebbene e’ facesse delle esibizioni ; e tra le altre : che rimuoverebbe i Peloponnesi da Platea tuttora assediata. Su gli altri stavan deliberando ; ma nel caldo dell9 ira risolvettero di uccidere non solo quei che erano presenti, ma tutti quanti i Mitilenei giunti alla pubertà ; e di fare schiavi i fanciulli e le donne ; incaricandoli di tutte le altre circostanze della ribellione , benché non fossero , come gli altri alleati, gravati di servitù: nè moveva poco lo sdegno degli Ateniesi il riflettere che le navi peloponnesie per sostenerli avevano osato di tentare arditamente l’impresa dell’ Ionia. Insomma e’ non credevano in verun modo tal ribellione fatta con leggero consiglio. Laonde spediscono una trireme a Pachete significandogli le prese risoluzioni, e ordinandogli di tosto trucidare i Mitilenei. Ma il giorno appresso tosto se ne pentirono non poco ; e mutato consiglio discorrevano che non era senza nota di crudeltà e mostruosità quel decreto, per cui dannavasi all’estermiuio un’intera nazione più presto che i soli colpevoli. Di che fatti accorti i legati de' Mitilenei che eran presenti, e quegli Ateniesi che si adoperavan per loro, procurarono di indurre i magistrati a riproporre il partito. Ben di leggieri ve li indussero, atteso che non era ad essi nascosto che il più dei cittadini bramavano che da qualcuno fosse la cosa posta nuovamente in considerazione. E convocata subito radunanza, ciascuno disse il suo parere : ma Cleone figliolo di Cleeneto, la cui sentenza di uccidere i Mitilenei avea vinto il giorno innanzi, cittadino del rimanente il più violento, ed allora reputato presso al popolo dicitore di gran lunga il più. valente, fattosi per la seconda volta innanzi parlò cosi :