History of the Peloponnesian War

For the constitution of our city at that time was, as it happened, neither an oligarchy under equal laws[*](ie. where, as at Sparta, the ὀλίγοι, or ruling class, possessed equal rights.) nor yet a democracy; but its affairs were in the hands of a small group of powerful men—the form which is most opposed to law and the best regulated polity, and most allied to a tyranny.

These men, hoping to win still greater power for themselves if the fortunes of the Persian should prevail, forcibly kept the people down and brought him in. The city as a whole was not in control of its own actions when Thebes took the course it did, nor is it fair to reproach it for the mistakes it made when not under the rule of law.

At any rate, after the Persian departed and Thebes obtained its lawful government, and when subsequently the Athenians became aggressive and were trying to bring not only the rest of Hellas but also our country under their own sway and, owing to factions amongst us, were already in possession of most of it,[*](After the battle at Oenophyta, 458 B.C., cf. 1.108.2, 1.108.3.) pray observe whether we fought and defeated them at Coronea[*](446 B.C. cf. 1.113.2.) and thus liberated Boeotia, and whether we are now zealously helping[*](This is mentioned with a view to influencing Spartan judges.) to liberate the other peoples, furnishing more cavalry and munitions of war than any of the other allies. Such is our defence against the charge of medism.