Melos
Páginas: 3 (542 palabras)
Publicado: 7 de marzo de 2010
Name: Andrea Catalina Valencia O.
MELIAN DIALOGUE
This important dialogue was part of the History of the Peloponnesian War in 416 –BC and was developed by the ancient Greek historianThucydides.
During this era the Island of Melos is invaded by Athens.The Athenians wanted that the islanders renounce to their freedom , they thought that this was the only salvation for to The Melians.Aditionally if The Melians accepted the alliance also they have to pay the taxes.For this reason Thucydides presents in the dialogue the arguments for and against the invasion.
The dialogue “washeld 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”[1]
The Melianshad to decide on what future they wanted, or better yet if they wanted to have a future or not, if the Melians didn´t accept the prposal they would be destroyed by The Athenians. However the Meliansargue that they were still free, couldn´t to allow slavery within the Island of Melos because it would be shameful and cowardly of them. Is important to fight for our freedom, The Melians thought.The Athenians argued that the alliance would provide security to the Melians because they were stronger and had more power. The Melians always believed in a chance they could win.
The Athenians,in a frank and unpretentious manner, offer the Melians an ultimatum but the Melians refused to submit, the Athenians said to them “your decision was a big mistake and this type of decision may be anirreparable misfortune”.
Finally The Athenians captured the city. They killed all the menand ensalaved children and women. This is a clear example in wich the stronger powers advantage theweakness of the other powers. In this way they can manipulate the territories and keep them under slavery.
The Melians had gaps or lapses in security, inability of the state and failures of legitimacy....
MELIAN DIALOGUE
This important dialogue was part of the History of the Peloponnesian War in 416 –BC and was developed by the ancient Greek historianThucydides.
During this era the Island of Melos is invaded by Athens.The Athenians wanted that the islanders renounce to their freedom , they thought that this was the only salvation for to The Melians.Aditionally if The Melians accepted the alliance also they have to pay the taxes.For this reason Thucydides presents in the dialogue the arguments for and against the invasion.
The dialogue “washeld 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”[1]
The Melianshad to decide on what future they wanted, or better yet if they wanted to have a future or not, if the Melians didn´t accept the prposal they would be destroyed by The Athenians. However the Meliansargue that they were still free, couldn´t to allow slavery within the Island of Melos because it would be shameful and cowardly of them. Is important to fight for our freedom, The Melians thought.The Athenians argued that the alliance would provide security to the Melians because they were stronger and had more power. The Melians always believed in a chance they could win.
The Athenians,in a frank and unpretentious manner, offer the Melians an ultimatum but the Melians refused to submit, the Athenians said to them “your decision was a big mistake and this type of decision may be anirreparable misfortune”.
Finally The Athenians captured the city. They killed all the menand ensalaved children and women. This is a clear example in wich the stronger powers advantage theweakness of the other powers. In this way they can manipulate the territories and keep them under slavery.
The Melians had gaps or lapses in security, inability of the state and failures of legitimacy....
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