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The Melian Dialogue: The Council Of Melos And The Athenian

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The Melian dialogue is a conversation between the council of Melos and the Athenians. The Melians were a colony of the Lacedaemonians (Sparta), but they did not wish to be the subject to the Athenians. The Athenian Empire was a powerful enemy to be reckoned with, and they had the power to back it up. Before the Athenians came along, the Melians were a neutral colony, but did not wish to participate in any war unless they were being under attacked. The Athenians however, wished to take the Melians under their rule even though the Melians refused to be their subject. There was a tension between the two, as both sides would not falter in their decision. The Melian Council told the Representatives of Athens, “...we will not, in a short time, give up the liberty in which our city has remained for the seven hundred years since its foundation”(V:112). Even though the Athenians had told the Council that if they submit to the rule of the empire, no harm would befall to them. It would 've been fine if the Melians agreed on the spot, because the Athenians’ battle strategies could have crushed them. With the power the Athenians had, they could have protected the island if necessary. Especially with the advantage the Athenians had on sea, it would be a waste of effort to try and defeat the navy the Athenians possess, because the Melians live on a island …show more content…

If the Melian Council had submitted, no harm would have befallen them. The island of Melos would still be standing in it 's usual condition instead of being ruined by the fight between the navy and the army of Melos. The Council were given many chances to change their mind, they knew what would have happened, yet they still stood by their answer. Due to the stubbornness of the Council, they ruined themselves. Both the Athenians and the Melians could have benefitted from each other if they agreed; The Athenians could have gotten more territory, and the Melians would have gotten the protection from another power other than

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