The Mytilenean Debate

Question 1

What century was the Mytilenaen debate?

Answer 1

5th century BC (400s) (427)

Question 2

Significance of Mytilenean debate

Answer 2

Can be viewed as:

• Saving point for Athenian morality
• Questions whether a ‘might is right,
• Demonstrates the omnipresent and omnipotent desire of humanity for power in borh the case of the Mytileneans and the Athenians
• The capacity of democracy to be controled by demagoguery
• The fickleness of human decision-making

Question 3

What happened on the first day?

Answer 3

The Athenians voted to mercilessly kill all the Mytilenean men and enslave all the women and children for planning to revolt and form an alliance with the Spartans.

Question 4

Can you tell me about the context?

Answer 4

Peloponnesian War had started 4 years prior (431 BC) due to the destruction of the Peloponnesian alliance previously constructed in the Persian wars.

Mytileneans wished to control the entirety of Lesbos (quasi-imperialistic ambitions).

Due to their ambitions, there were tensions between Athens and the Mytileneans regarding their respective roles.

Question 5

How do we know about the debate

Answer 5

Thucydides listened to the debate supposedly.

Question 6

How do the Athenians make decisions?

Answer 6

Through democratia, a standing council of 500 free men randomly chosen across Athenian state.

Question 7

What is the etymology of the word ‘democratia’?

Answer 7

Demos = people as a whole, but only Athenian free males

Kratos = strength

Question 8

What happened on the second day?

Answer 8

Cleon repeated his assertion that to continually subjugate the Mytileneans and other similar states, they must ruthlessly dominate their subject.

Diodotos said to forget morality but instead consider that Athens will not be able to reforge relations. Proposed the killing of only those responsible. This plan was followed.

Question 9

What happened years later?

Answer 9

The Mytileneans revolted again 15 years later