Melian dialogue
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The Melian dialogue is found in Book V (85-113) of the History of the Peloponnesian War by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides.
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. 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 say that the Melos elite were afraid that the people might support the Athenian position.
In the passage, the Athenians present Melos with an alternative: the island can pay tribute to Athens and thus survive, or fight Athens and be destroyed. Melos presents several counter-arguments: showing mercy towards Melos will win the Athenians more friends; the Spartans will come to their aid; the gods will protect them. The Athenians, however, refuse to discuss either the justice of their demand or any substantive argument by the Melians. Instead, the long-remembered Athenian commentary is one of hard realism: The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
In the end, the Melians refused to submit, saying that they would like to be "friends of yours and enemies of neither side" but that they will fight if need be. Athens immediately began a siege of Melos, and though the Melians held them off for a short while, a combination of reinforcements from Athens and treachery from inside Melos insured the Athenian's victory. Every man of military age was killed and the women and children were sold into slavery.
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.
[edit] Clash of Ideas
The Melian Dialogue is a classic example of the clash of liberal and realist ideas. The Melians argued that their neutrality should be respected and international law guaranteed their right to be neutral. The Dialogue is often paraphrased by those discussing realist thought.
