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 strongly advocates for Athens to maintain a policy of neutrality in the ongoing conflict between Thebes and Lacedaemon (Sparta). Set in the Athenian assembly, the speaker adopts an unbiased persona to address the citizens directly, free from the influence of foreign factions. At the outset, the speaker criticizes partisan orators who represent foreign interests and argues that true Athenian benefit lies in remaining neutral. By examining historical precedents, the past misdeeds of both rivals, and the geopolitical maneuvers of the Persian King, the speech exposes the extreme dangers and inconsistencies of intervening in the war. Ultimately, the speaker concludes that Athens should focus on domestic reconstruction and military preparedness while its rivals exhaust themselves, a strategy that will eventually restore Athenian hegemony and secure lasting safety and prosperity.