So today I finally tackled that Melian Dialogue thing from Thucydides’ History. Man, it’s been sitting on my reading list forever like that half-dead plant in my living room. Grabbed my worn-out copy – you know, the one with coffee stains on page 427 right where the Melians start pleading? Yeah.
Started reading raw text first. Bad idea. Felt like chewing cardboard. Got through two pages before my eyes glazed over. Those Athenians talking circles around the Melians – all fancy words about power and survival. Couldn’t figure out who was winning the argument. Closed the book. Walked to the kitchen. Stared into the fridge for five minutes. Nothing helpful in there either.
Decided to go nuclear: pulled up three different summary websites side-by-side on my laptop. Still confusing. One said it’s about realism vs idealism, another called it “imperial bullying 101.” Scratched my head so hard I probably lost hair. Then remembered my old philosophy professor’s advice: follow the power.
Reread it slower this time, highlighter in hand. Noticed how the Athenians kept hammering:
- Strong nations do what they want
- Weak ones suffer what they must
- Justice only matters between equals
The Melians sounded desperate – begging about gods and fairness and hope. Highlighted their bits in sad yellow ink. Realized halfway through: This ain’t no debate. It’s a bulldozer meeting a daisy. Athenians weren’t negotiating; they were giving marching orders with fancy words.
Got to the chilling part where Athens basically says “Don’t be idiots, surrender now.” Melians refuse anyway. You know how that ended. Felt that hollow pit in my stomach – like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. Shook my head at my notes: “Melians chose honor over survival. Athens chose murder over mercy.”
Finished up feeling grim. Thucydides wasn’t messing around. This dialogue hits different after seeing real-world superpowers throw weight around. Slammed the book shut. No happy takeaways here – just a brutal reminder that when big fish eat little fish, they don’t use napkins. Made tea. Stared out the window. Probably won’t touch this text again till next crisis.
