Melian Dialogue

The Melian Dialogue is a famous excerpt from Thucydides' "History of the Peloponnesian War," where representatives from Athens and the neutral island of Melos engage in a discussion during the war. Athens demands Melos surrender and pay tribute, arguing that power is the deciding factor in politics. Melians, valuing independence and justice, appeal to morality. The dialogue highlights the tension between might and right, showing that in political power struggles, ethical considerations often give way to pragmatic realities. Ultimately, it portrays the harshness of realpolitik, where weaker states face dire consequences when they resist stronger powers.