Source edition
Isocrates, Vol. 3. Van Hook, Larue, editor. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd., 1945 (printing).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a political oration delivered by envoys from Plataea before the Athenian assembly, pleading for assistance and the restoration of their homeland after their city was destroyed by neighboring Thebes. The Plataean speaker fiercely denounces the tyranny and historical treachery of the Thebans, urging Athens to stand up for the autonomy of its allies and the cause of justice. Throughout the speech, the envoy dismisses fears that Thebes might ally with Sparta, emphasizing that upholding justice and treaties, rather than seeking immediate expedience, has historically brought victory to Athens. He vividly describes the extreme destitution and misery of the displaced Plataeans, appealing to their shared bonds and the historical debt from fighting together in the Persian Wars. The oration concludes with a poignant plea to the Athenian citizens, imploring them for a just judgment and aid in reclaiming their land.