PERICLES, CLEON AND THE ANDRAGATHIZOMENOI

Abstract

In 430 B.C. Pericles appealed to the Athenians with his last speech that is remarkable for its mention of those Athenians who ‘in the alarm of the moment has become enamored of the honesty of such an unambitious part (ἀπραγμοσύνῃ ἀνδραγαθίζεται)’ or “playing the agathos by remaining inactive” in alternative translation. I should label them as andragithozomenoi. Cleon’s speech in the Mytilenean debate displays many ideas in common with Pericles’ last speech. He reproaches those who ‘cultivate honesty without danger (ἐκ τοῦ ἀκινδύνου ἀνδραγαθίζεσθαι)’. One can easily find in Cleon a close stylistic similarity with Pericles’ speech. Both speakers label Athens’ power over the allies as a tyranny. They both mention andragathizomenoi and made them responsible for giving up the empire. Whether these textual similarities were accidental or intentional and who were andragathizomenoi?