Latin

Lines 1.26-1.28

Greek and Roman Historians, The Peloponnesian War 1.26-28

Not analysed yet

Thucydides disliked Cleon, as did another highly articulate contemporary, the playwright Aristophanes (see in particular his comedy Knights, of 425-424). The picture that emerges from their works of Cleon and figures like him as "new politicians," arising not from among the old or property-holding families but from the people, is largely a literary fiction. It was foisted on posterity by these ancient writers, who exaggerated the contrast between Pericles and his successors because they admired Pericles' style. In social background, political methods, and particular policies the difference was not great. The real change in Athenian politics came only with the loss of the empire in 404 and the resulting partial breakdown in the "consensus politics" that had prevailed hitherto (because all social classes stood equally to gain from the empire, which financed political pay, provided land for all, and cushioned the rich against the cost of furnishing the fleet).
There are two lines of policy one can safely associate with Cleon from evidence other than that of Thucydides. One is a large increase in the level of allied tribute (425-424) documented by an inscription. Inscriptions also show the necessity of the raise, proving, as they do, a serious shortfall in public finance (extensive "borrowing from Athena" -i. e. ,drawing on capital reserves). The other line of policy is an attempt, attested by Aristophanes, to draw Argos into the war in some way (its peace with Sparta was due to expire in 421, the year in which, unknown to Cleon in 425, the Archidamian War was to end).
By declining the diplomatic solution, Cleon found himself committed to a military one. He succeeded dramatically, capturing 120 full Spartans and taking them back to Athens. This operation, achieved partly with the use of light-armed troops, ensured that there would be no invasion of Attica in 424. Athens was free to establish a base on the island of Cythera south of Laconia and make a serious and initially successful attempt on Megara.

Latin

Lines 1.26-1.28

Greek and Roman Historians, The Peloponnesian War 1.26-28

Not analysed yet

Thucydides disliked Cleon, as did another highly articulate contemporary, the playwright Aristophanes (see in particular his comedy Knights, of 425-424). The picture that emerges from their works of Cleon and figures like him as "new politicians," arising not from among the old or property-holding families but from the people, is largely a literary fiction. It was foisted on posterity by these ancient writers, who exaggerated the contrast between Pericles and his successors because they admired Pericles' style. In social background, political methods, and particular policies the difference was not great. The real change in Athenian politics came only with the loss of the empire in 404 and the resulting partial breakdown in the "consensus politics" that had prevailed hitherto (because all social classes stood equally to gain from the empire, which financed political pay, provided land for all, and cushioned the rich against the cost of furnishing the fleet).
There are two lines of policy one can safely associate with Cleon from evidence other than that of Thucydides. One is a large increase in the level of allied tribute (425-424) documented by an inscription. Inscriptions also show the necessity of the raise, proving, as they do, a serious shortfall in public finance (extensive "borrowing from Athena" -i. e. ,drawing on capital reserves). The other line of policy is an attempt, attested by Aristophanes, to draw Argos into the war in some way (its peace with Sparta was due to expire in 421, the year in which, unknown to Cleon in 425, the Archidamian War was to end).
By declining the diplomatic solution, Cleon found himself committed to a military one. He succeeded dramatically, capturing 120 full Spartans and taking them back to Athens. This operation, achieved partly with the use of light-armed troops, ensured that there would be no invasion of Attica in 424. Athens was free to establish a base on the island of Cythera south of Laconia and make a serious and initially successful attempt on Megara.