Declamatio de Atheniensium defensio (ad Libanii declamationem antilogia)

they cherished forethought. Thus we, from such circumstances, have become greater than ourselves, not in the manner these men claim, nor from the source they allege, but from that which you yourselves bear witness. 50. Do not, therefore, O Lacedaemonians, be willing, persuaded by their arguments, to be kindled at once and to look toward a war so unseemly and so destructive. For it will turn out, if it should happen—but may it never happen—just as for us and for you it is not without danger, and we shall both act shamefully and altogether unworthily. It has rendered necessary—I have written "necessary" from LV, "necessary" Schm; "but" I have written from LV, "and" LV Schm; "themselves" I have written from LV, "themselves" Schm; "we became" I have written, "we become" LV Schm; "nor from where they claim" I have inserted from L, omitted V Schm—of our virtue, but Greece will perish wretchedly, and barbarians will sit down laughing, beholding the most delightful of all spectacles for themselves: Greeks, natural enemies, being most shamefully destroyed among themselves, and so that we may both be utterly crushed, now they will submit to you.

to join with you in resources and army, and they will accomplish it, now against us. But you, if you are prudent, will recall that now for the first time Greece has begun to recover from its dangers, and it is not good, before it has clearly recovered, to cast it into second and greater perils. You will recall also that we have made a truce for fifty whole years, which we have called the Fifty-Year Truce, and it is in no way pious to attempt to break it before half of the stipulated years have elapsed. But allow the Corinthians and the others who are disturbing Greece to babble, as men fulfilling the work of envious demons, for it is characteristic of those to attach themselves to the good things of men and to pry up pretexts through which they will be able to arm them for war against each other and overturn the good things. And embrace peace, since only this holds the common advantage, so that not only may our relations with the gods be holy and pious, but also it may turn out well.

to act for the Athenians, the Peloponnesians, and all the Greeks. 52. We, therefore, O Lacedaemonians, wishing no pretext for war, have deemed it right to defend ourselves against the accusations made. For we consider it good to settle the differences that arise among us by peace and not by arms. For this reason, we are present to give an account and to fulfill what is just for each, both to these Corinthians and to the other Greeks, if anyone has a charge that the Athenians have given offense. But if someone declares that this is not the way, but entrusts the decision to arms, this will seem to us painful in truth and pitiable to behold, to what evil the affairs of Greece will come; nevertheless, we too will meet them with

having invoked the gods who are the overseers of the Greeks and who were called upon at the treaties as witnesses to the necessity of many arms, even if someone should invade Attica, they would not only find us opposing them there in good order, but we ourselves would also invade their land with equal speed and preparation. 53. We have spoken, O Lacedaemonians, both regarding the Corinthians and regarding you. May the superior powers grant that what is commonly beneficial to the Greeks be made manifest to you to accomplish.