Book V
Eighth through fifteenth years of the war, the Melian Dialogue, and preparations for the Sicilian Expedition.
4 argumentative units
- 01Cleon's Thracian expedition and Brasidas's counter-strategy
Cleon sails to Thrace with a force to recapture cities taken by Brasidas. Brasidas sizes up the Athenian position near Amphipolis and decides to attack before reinforcements arrive, calling his troops together to explain the plan.
- 02Brasidas's pre-battle speech; the battle of Amphipolis; both leaders fall
Brasidas delivers a brief, fierce speech calling on Dorian valour, then leads a surprise sally. In the fighting both Brasidas and Cleon are killed. Sparta loses its best general; Athens loses its most aggressive war hawk — clearing the way for peace.
- 03The Peace of Nicias: terms negotiated and ratified
With Cleon and Brasidas dead, both sides seek terms. The Peace of Nicias is negotiated: prisoners exchanged, captured towns returned, fifty-year truce declared. Both sides swear oaths but compliance is grudging, especially among Sparta's allies.
- 04The Melian Dialogue: Athens demands submission; Melos refuses
Athens sends envoys to the small neutral island of Melos, demanding submission or destruction. In a famous dialogue, the Athenians argue from power and self-interest while the Melians appeal to justice, hope, and Spartan aid. Athens withdraws; Melos refuses to submit.