Source edition
Aristides. Vol. 1. Dindorf, Wilhelm, editor. Leipzig: Reimer, 1829.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This oration addresses Athens' foreign policy in the aftermath of the Battle of Leuctra (371 BC), confronting the rise of a powerful Thebes and the decline of a defeated Sparta (Lacedaemon). Set in the Athenian assembly, the speaker urges the citizens to look beyond past animosities and prioritize Athens' own security and interests. In the first half, the argument establishes that the survival of Sparta is vital for maintaining the balance of power in Greece and safeguarding Athens, thereby advocating for swift assistance to the Spartans. The speaker goes on to dismiss fears of Theban collusion with the Persian King, while warning that allowing Thebes to utterly destroy Sparta would humiliate Athens and strip it of its hegemony. Ultimately, the orator rejects submission to Thebes or any compromise on leadership, concluding that Athens must form an equal alliance with Sparta to preserve its honor and security.