History of the Peloponnesian War

Mel.[*]( I have not followed Arnold's reading in this passage, though Bekker and Göller adopt it; because it seems improbable that ἦ μέν, the reading of nearly all the MSS., should have been a mistake of the copyists for one so much easier, and so different from it, as ἡμεῖς. At the same time I am far from certain whether ᾗ μέν that which I have preferred, on the authority of Herman, Poppo, and Bloomfield, be really the true one; for in no other passage in Thucydides, I believe, has ᾗ the force which is here given to it; and though Bloomfield quotes one instance of its being so used by Xenophon, he is there writing, not as an historian, but as a philosopher; and so uses it, as it is very commonly used by philosophical writers in later times. Should this objection be thought to have any weight, I would venture to propose ἡμῖν which comes nearer to the various readings of the MSS. than ἡμεῖς; and gives a sense in exact accordance with what follows: for καὶ πρὸς ὑμῶν, at the beginning of the next paragraph, would stand in strong opposition to it: For us, then, we certainly think it advantageous——and it is no less for your interest also. It may perhaps be regarded as some corroboration of this conjecture, that the scholiast quoted by Arnold uses ἡμῖν in his paraphrase; νομίζομεν ἡμῖν προσήκειν μὴ καταλύειν τὸ κοινὸν ἀγαθόν.) So far then as our opinion goes, it is for our advantage (for we must, since you have so prescribed, speak of what is expedient, to the neglect of what is right) that you should not take away what is a common benefit; but that for every one who at any time is in danger, what is reasonable should also be considered right; and that if he can gain assent to something which ails short of strict justice, he should have the benefit of it. And this is not less for your interest; in as much, as [*]( This is pretty nearly the interpretation of the passage given by Bauer, and sanctioned by Poppo. For the many others that have been adopted see the note of the latter.) you would afford to others, should you fail, a pattern for inflicting the heaviest vengeance upon you.

Ath.

Nay, for our part, we are not disheartened about the end of our empire, even should it be brought to an end. For it is not those who rule over others, like the Lacedaemonians, that are to be feared by the vanquished. Nor is it with the Lacedaemonians that we have to struggle, but with the possibility of our subjects in any quarter by themselves attacking and overpowering those who have had rule over them.

So on this point let the danger be left to us. But that we are come here for the benefit of our empire, and that we shall also speak on the present occasion for the preservation of your country, on these points we will give you proofs; since we wish to maintain our own sovereignty over you without trouble, and to have you preserved for the advantage of us both.

Mel.

And how then could it prove advantageous for us to serve, as it is for you to govern?

Ath.

Because you would have the benefit of submitting before you suffered the last extremities; while we should be gainers by not destroying you.

Mel.

But would you not accept our proposals, on condition of our remaining quiet, and being friends instead of enemies, but in alliance with neither side?