The Melian dialogue is a passage found in Book V (85-113) of the History of the Peloponnesian War by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides. It is a classic example of the clash of liberal and realist ideas about international relations, and is often paraphrased in discussions of so-called realist thought. It is an unusual piece of text, as it is written in the style of a theatrical dialogue, rather than a record of opposing speeches as Thucydides usually wrote. Tenth-century minuscule Manuscript of Thucydidess History The History of the Peloponnesian War is an account of the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece, fought between the Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta) and the Athenian league (Athens). ... Ancient Greece is a period in Greek history that lasted for around nine hundred years. ... A historian is an individual who studies history and who writes on history. ... Bust of Thucydides residing in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Liberal institutionalism. ... Main International Relations Theories Politics Portal This box:      For other uses, see Realism (disambiguation). ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      International relations (IR), a branch of political science, is the study of foreign affairs and global issues among states within the international system, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs). ... A Paraphrase is a statement or remark explained in other words or another way, so as to simplify or clarify its meaning. ... A dialogue (sometimes spelt dialog[1]) is a reciprocal conversation between two or more entities. ...

Context

The historical background of this portion of the History is the invasion of the island of Melos by Athens in 416 BC during the Peloponnesian War. The Melians had always resisted the influence of the Delian League, and resisted this invasion as well. Thucydides writes that both sides held a meeting where they presented their arguments for and against the invasion. This was held between "the governing body and the few," not before the people, leading the Athenians to imply that the Melian elite was afraid that the people might support the Athenian position. The dialogue as written in the History probably reflects Thucydides' personal view of the invasion of Melos, rather than accurately recording the specific speeches delivered at the meeting. An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geopolitical entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of conquering territory, or altering the established government. ... Milos (formerly Melos, and before the Athenian genocide Malos) is a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea. ... Athens is the largest and the capital city of Greece, located in the Attica periphery. ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC - 410s BC - 400s BC 390s BC 380s BC 370s BC 360s BC Years: 421 BC 420 BC 419 BC 418 BC 417 BC - 416 BC - 415 BC 414 BC... For the earlier war beginning in 460 BC, see First Peloponnesian War. ... Delian League (Athenian Empire), right before the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC. Corcyra was not part of the League The Delian League was an association of Greek city-states in the 5th century BC. It was led by Athens. ... Look up argument in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Elite (disambiguation). ...

Arguments

In the passage, the Athenians present the Melians with a choice: the island may pay tribute to Athens and thus survive, or fight Athens and be destroyed. The Melians respond by arguing that their neutrality should be respected, and that international law guarantees their right to neutrality. The Melians also present several other counter-arguments, namely that showing mercy towards Melos will win the Athenians more friends; that the Spartans will come to Melos' aid; and finally that the gods will protect the island. The Athenians, however, refuse to discuss either the justice of their demand or any substantive argument advanced by the Melians. Instead the Athenians offer a sharp, simple, and oft-quoted formula of hard realism: The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must. The Athenians further suggest that the Spartans are no strangers to this principle, and thus that the Spartans will not assist the weak Melians if doing so is to Sparta's disadvantage. A tribute (from Latin tribulum, contribution) is wealth one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. ... Pierre Montallier: The Works of Mercy, c. ... Sparta (Doric: Spártā, Attic: Spártē) is a city in southern Greece. ... Look up deity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... J.L. Urban, statue of Lady Justice at court building in Olomouc, Czech Republic Justice concerns the proper ordering of things and persons within a society. ... Might makes right is an aphorism with several potential meanings: First, it can describe a morality which dictates that those who are the strongest will rule — and should rule — others and have the power to determine right and wrong. ...

Outcome

Ultimately the Melians refuse to submit, saying that while they are prepared to fight, they would prefer to be "friends of yours and enemies of neither side". The Athenians, unsatisfied, immediately besiege Melos, and though the Melians held them off for a short while, Melos is finally defeated, thanks to a combination of events: reinforcements from Athens, the (accurately predicted) lack of support by the Spartans, and treachery from within Melos. According to Thucydides' dispassionate report, the victorious Athenians execute every Melian man of military age, sell every woman and child into slavery, and colonize the now-depopulated island. A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition, often accompanied by an assault. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Slave redirects here. ...

See also

• Battle of Melos
• Neutral country

The Battle of Melos was fought in 415 BC between Athens and Melos. ... Neutrality: Neutrality in international law is the status of a nation that refrains from participation in a war between other states and maintains an impartial attitude toward the belligerents. ...

External links

• The Melian Dialogue