The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian/Book XIII/Chapter VI

Chapter VI

 * The Spartans sue for peace. The speech of Endius. The Athenians refuse.

THE Lacedæmonians receiving certain intelligence of their rout at Cyzicum, sent ambassadors to Athens to treat for peace, the chief of whom was Endius. When he was admitted to an audience, he came in, and spoke in the Laconic manner, in a short and pithy stile; whose oration I judge not fitting to omit.


 * WE have determined to make proposals of peace to you, O ye Athenians, upon these conditions—That the cities gained on either side be retained; that the garrisons every where be dismissed; that all prisoners be released, one Athenian for one Laconian, for we are not ignorant that the war is very mischievous to us both, but much more to you, which I shall make apparent from the things themselves, if you hearken awhile to what I say. For our use all Peloponnesus is improved and sowed, but of Attica, which is not so large, you have but a part in tillage: this war has brought over many confederates to the Laconians; on the contrary, the Athenians have lost as many as we have gained. The richest king of the world maintains our armies, but you force the charge of the war from the poorest of the nations. Our soldiers therefore being so well paid, fight cheerfully, but yours (being forced every one to bear their own charges) seek to avoid both the toil and the expense. Moreover, when our fleet is out at sea, we are more in want of ships than men; but the greatest part of your men are in your ships. And that which is most considerable, although we are inferior to you at sea, yet by the agreement of all we are your superiors at land. On the other hand you fight at sea, not with any hopes to gain the sovereignty at land, but to preserve yourselves from utter destruction. Now it remains that I give you satisfaction, why, when we thus far excel you in feats of arms, we should sue to you for peace. In truth, though I cannot say that Sparta has gained any thing by this war, yet I dare affirm their damage has not been so great as that of the Athenians. But it is the height of folly to take pleasure in common calamities, because our enemies are fellow sufferers; whereas it had been much better neither of us had had the experience. Neither does the content and satisfaction by the destruction of thine enemy, balance the sorrow that is conceived by the loss of thy friend. But it is not for these reasons only that we desire to put an end to the war, but we are prompted hereunto by the custom of our country; for when we saw by these wars so many horrid murders, and so much blood lamentably shed, we conceived it our duty to make it manifest both to the gods and men, that we are the least concerned in the causing of it.

When the Laconian had spoken this and some other things to the like effect, the more moderate of the Athenians were inclined to peace; but those who were accustomed to sow the seeds of dissention, and to make a private gain of the public disorders, were for war. Of this opinion was Cleophon, a man of great interest among the people, who, coming into the assembly, after he had said many things pertinent to the business in hand, he chiefly encouraged the people, by magnifying the greatness of their late successes, and urging all in such as manner, as if fortune (contrary to her usual custom) had now forgot to dispose and order the successes of war, by turns and mutual changes to each side. But the Athenians at length regretted this mischievous advice, which was so little to their advantage; for, being thus deceived by flattering discourses, framed only to please, they were brought so low that they could never after recover their former strength and grandeur; but these things shall be hereafter related in their due place. The Athenians therefore (being thus puffed up with their victories, and being very confident because Alcibiades was their general) concluded they should never recover their former esteem and reputation in a short time.