Thucydides was determined to tell the tale of a great conflict, which he felt would require both power and leadership. Thucydides did not measure greatness only by military or economic power, but he used a variety of powerful speeches to illustrate the impact that political leadership had on the outcome. Athens’ democratic government made leadership a priority. The city’s leaders, elected by its citizens, reflected their mentality and the state of the city. The Athenian Empire was a radical departure in Hellenistic traditions. Athens’s ability to dominate the Mediterranean due to the Persian invasion and the building of a strong navy were two factors that contributed to this. Thucydides uses the Athenian leaders’ roles in the expansion, starting with Pericles and ending with Alcibiades. This is to show the decline in justice and morality of Athens. Thucydides makes it clear that the quality of Athens leadership has declined, but doesn’t say what led to this decline. In light of this, it is important to ask what led to the decline in the quality of leadership among the leaders in the city.
Athenians did not believe that an empire was just because of its power. Instead, they believed that a powerful, united empire would allow justice to be the dominant factor in Athenian minds. Thucydides believed Pericles to be “the man best suited for the state’s needs” because he instilled this distinction into the Athenian population. Pericles viewed Athens’ power and wealth in a positive light, as it was a source of freedom for Athens and its citizens. By saying “We cultivate sophistication without extravagance; knowledge we possess without effeminacy. We use wealth more to serve than to show off,” he dissuaded Athenian interest in personal gains, and replaced it with an interest in justice and culture advancement. He furthered this concept by asserting that it was the wealthy’s interest to maintain the democracy, even when civil disturbances (caused by the plague), threatened to undermine Athens delicate political balance. It doesn’t matter how wealthy a person is, if the country he lives in fails, then he too will fail. On the other hand, a prosperous nation offers hope for those who have been unfortunate. A state may be able to support private citizens’ misfortunes but not hers. Therefore, everyone must defend her. (II.60.1-5)
Pericles believed that the wealthy benefited from patriotism and democracy because it gave them security. Even if their economic position was lost, the chance to be great in the public eye would always exist. Pericles managed to limit personal gain by establishing a link with national greatness and democracy. Thucydides said that Pericles was the best example of Athenian excellence because he successfully subordinated the pursuit of wealth and political power to the advancement of culture and the promotion of justice. His ideals came from the Athenian view that an imperium could be fair, and this was proven by his rule.
Thucydides remarks on the failure of the Athenian rulers to control and convince the people to serve the city after Pericles’ funeral speech. Thucydides writes that Pericles’ successors “each grasping supremacy” ended up entrusting the conduct of state matters to the masses. (II.65.10) (II.61.4)
The Mytilenian Debate marked the beginning of the decline of Periclean Athens. Conflicting power desires and personal interest symbolized the tensions of war. Speeches delivered during the debate reflected a change in Pericles’ beliefs about the importance of justice and democracy. Cleon is an Athenian politician and former opponent to Pericles. He argues that power is what should be praised, not justice. Cleon declares that Athenian rulers are despots and their subjects are disaffected, who obey them not because they make suicidal sacrifices, but rather due to the superiority of their power. Cleon did not care about justice. Morality and power were the same to him. Cleon’s vote did not get a majority, but the “show of hands” was close to equal, which shows that Cleon had abandoned the Periclean philosophy. (III.49.1)
Thucydides recounted a private conversation between Athenian Generals and Melian Statesmen to decide on the fate for Melos, an island colony within Sparta. The Athenian generals’ arguments during the debate symbolized the transition from Periclean Athens to the brutal, immoral abuse of power which characterized the Peloponnesian War. The Athenian claim that “right in the world is only a matter of equality between men in power” was in direct contradiction to the argument for expansion made by Athenian citizenry at the Second Lacedaemonian Congress. The war years had sapped Athens’ resources and depleted its citizens’ desire to pursue justice and culture. Athenian beliefs had completely changed and those that characterized Periclean Athens no longer existed. Athens became obsessed with its own power. The city’s interests were not taken into account. Athenians declared that justice and honour “cannot continue without danger.”
Alcibiades’ behavior revealed that Athens had lost its cohesive, democratic community. Alcibiades favored self indulgence and personal advancement, and his statements were in direct opposition to Pericles funeral oration. They also worked against democracy and Pericles original vision of a empire that promoted justice and culture. Alcibiades fled Sparta when he was threatened with punishment. He became an advisor to Sparta’s oligarchy. Alcibiades betrayed Athens because his campaign against Syracuse had failed. Alcibiades’s defection from Athens was drastic. His refusal to send Peloponnesian navy into battle led Athens to lose the Sicilian Expedition. Alcibiades was not loyal to Athens and used his citizenship for power and wealth. Alcibiades, who had corrupted the democratic system in Athens earlier by treason, was elected as a general in the same system. Athens became a city dominated by private interests. Alcibiades represented this mentality.
Thucydides wrote: “In peace, prosperity and individuality, states and individuals enjoy better feelings…but in war the daily necessities are taken away and it is a cruel master who brings the character of most men to an equal level with their fortunes.” Athens’ demise was due to this exact change. Athens’ empire was seen as a tool to implement justice and expand cultural awareness in pre-war Athens, but its economic growth led its people to become obsessed with self interest.
Works Cited:
Thucydides. The Landmark Thucydides An Comprehensive Guide to Peloponnesian War. The Free Press published a work in New York in 1998.
