History of the Peloponnesian War

For in answer we too would point out that a far more dreadful fate befell our young men who were butchered by them, of whose fathers some died at Coronea[*](As at 3.62.5, a reminder flattering to the Lacedaemonians.) trying to win Boeotia to your cause, while others, left desolate at home in their old age, with far greater justice make supplication to you to take vengeance upon these men.

Pity is more worthily bestowed upon those who suffer an unseemly fate, but those who, like these Plataeans, deserve their fate afford on the contrary a subject for rejoicing.

As for their present desolation, that also is their own fault; for of their own free will they rejected the better alliance. They acted unlawfully without having received provocation at our hands, but through hatred rather than according to a just judgment, and they could not possibly pay now a penalty equal to their guilt, for they will suffer a lawful sentence; and they are not, as they claim,[*](cf. 3.58.3.) stretching out suppliant hands on the field of battle, but have delivered themselves up to justice under formal agreement.

Vindicate, therefore, Lacedaemonians, the law of the Hellenes which has been transgressed by these men, and render to us who have suffered by their lawlessness a just recompense for the services we have zealously given, and let us not because of their words be thrust aside when we plead before you,[*](Note the mocking quotation of phrases in the speech of the Plataeans, 3.57.3, 4.) but make it plain to the Hellenes by an example that the trials you institute will be of deeds, not words, and that, if the deeds are good, a brief recital of them suffices, but if they are wrong, speeches decked out with phrases are but veils to hide the truth.

Nay, if all leaders, like you in the present instance, should first state the facts briefly for all concerned,[*](Referring to the ἐπερώτημα βπαχὑ of 3.52.4; 3.53.2. Possibly πρὸς τοὺς ξύμπαντας goes with διαγνώμας ποιήσησθε, “and then as a warning to all pass sentence.”) and then pass sentence, there will be less seeking of fair words after foul deeds.”

Such was the speech of the Thebans. And the Lacedaemonian judges decided that their question, whether they had received any benefit from the Plataeans in the war, would be a fair one for them to put; for they had at all other times urged them, they claimed, to maintain neutrality in accordance with the old covenant which they had made with Pausanias after the Persian defeat; and when afterwards, before the investment of Plataea was undertaken, their proposal to the Plataeans that they remain neutral in accordance with the earlier agreement had not been accepted,[*](The text is certainly corrupt. Badham's slight change, adopted by Hude, seems to be the simplest solution of the difficulty.) they thought themselves thenceforth released from all obligations of the treaty because their own intentions had been honourable, and considered that they had been wronged by the Plataeans. So they caused them to come forward again, one at a time, and asked them the same question, whether they had rendered any good service to the Lacedaemonians and their allies in the war, and when they said “no” they led them off and slew them, exempting no one.