The Mytilenian debate of 427BC is one classic example of the importance of debating. This didactic historical event occurred in Athens during the Peloponnesian War. It reflects the political tension of the period when Athens took over the city of Mytilene after an alleged act of rebellion.
Mytilene was one of the few non-tributary member-states of the Delian League. Although they lent out their men to fight with the Athenian fleet, they disliked the idea of tributary democracy and refused to become like the other Athenian allies. Mytilene was different from the remaining Athenian allies, as it had an oligarchical rule. When Mytilene submitted a request to end its alliance with Athens, Sparta rejected the appeal. As such, the Mytilenians started readying themselves for a revolt. They imported extra grains, filled their harbors, and constructed fortifications. They even added extra warships to their fleet. However, word of their activities soon spread to Athens, and Athens did not like the news. In response, they sent a delegation to order the Mytilenians to desist from building any more fortifications and surrender. But the Mytilenians ignored the warning and continued their preparations. However, when the Athenians attacked abruptly, they were not fully prepared and lost the battle. There was a first debate to decide the fate of the Mytilenians. Scared of further revolt, the Athenian assembly killed all the mutinous leaders and men. And to also take every woman and child and sell them into slavery. According to Thucydides' account, a vessel went out to Mytilene immediately after the decree, and about a thousand prisoners were slaughtered. The following day, many Athenians were awash with guilt by their decision to annihilate the citizens of Mytilene. A second debate ensued to challenge the decision of the first. Cleon, recorded as "the most violent man at Athens," supported the decision to punish Mytilenians in such a manner. In his records, Thucydides also pointed out that Cleon was most powerful with the commons at that period. His personality and approach demonstrate the importance of ethos in a debate. Cleon was aware he needed to come across a certain way if he were to have any successful chance of swaying the audience to his side. He began by expressing his observations and opinions, stating that democracy was not an effective system of government, and their inability to maintain a final decision was added proof. He reminded them of just how disastrous any display of weakness may be to their imperial system of government, reiterating that justice must prevail. And that the Mytilenians must be accorded sanctions that matched their level of insubordination. Cleon understood that loyalty was important to the Athenians and explored that emotion in-depth during his argument. Diodotus was the opposing speaker who argued in favor of the Mytilenians. Employing anaphora in his speech, Diodotus asked the audience to imagine a scenario and consider its resultant consequences and how Athens would be affected. He urged them to look beyond the rightness of their former decision but carefully ponder on how the brutality of the decision might plunge the city into further turmoil. He reminded them that the decision ought not to be hinged on whether Mytilene was guilty but on whether their response of vengeance served their future interests. He implored to see that no wise decision was ever borne of haste and anger. After Diodotus' speech, the assembly voted once more, and so it was that Diodotus' argument prevailed, sparing the Mytilenians from what would have been a massacre.
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AuthorAnthony Cosentino - Teacher in Putnam, Connecticut. Archives
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