The Melian Dialogue

The Melian Dialogue is a link between Euripides and Plato. Its unique form and planned place in the center of Thucydides' completed history emphasizes the tragic antinomy of the Greek situation: the insoluble conflict of the two complementary political institutions and philosophies of the small...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association 1947-01, Vol.78, p.18-36
Main Author: Wassermann, Felix Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
City states
Hope
Imperialism
Literary dialogue
Modern philosophy
Morality
Platonism
Political attitudes
Political power
Speeches
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Summary:The Melian Dialogue is a link between Euripides and Plato. Its unique form and planned place in the center of Thucydides' completed history emphasizes the tragic antinomy of the Greek situation: the insoluble conflict of the two complementary political institutions and philosophies of the small autonomous city state and the Athenian Empire. Written after 404 B.C., the Melian Dialogue is an essential part of Thucydides' main theme: to trace the ideals and realities of Athenian policy as reflected in the ϵ΄´ργα and the λόγΟι of the Peloponnesian War. The Dialogue, while recognizing the right of the Melians to be what they are, was never intended to be an indictment of the Athenian attitude, which is presented as closely related to the Periclean speeches and as a development of, rather than a deviation from the political thought of Thucydides' ideal statesman.
ISSN:0065-9711
0360-5949
DOI:10.2307/283480