WORKABLE PEACE ATHENS - MELOS ROLE PLAY
Melos was colonized by the Dorians 700 years ago, and you still retain a lot of common bonds with other Dorian city-states, such as Sparta. Like the Spartans, you are a pious people retaining faith in the oracles and gods, and traditional laws. You are proud of the stability that the tradition of oligarchic rule (“rule by a few wealthy families”) has provided for your city. It is clear to you that the vast majority of the citizens of Melos are proud of the Oligarchy and trust the leaders of Melos to bring continued peace and prosperity.
Every five years the aristocratic families that make up the Council of Elders elect one of their members to serve as the Ruler, as a way to help the council make decisions. In addition, the council makes one life time appointment, choosing one man of outstanding reputation to be the General and serve as advisor to the Ruler in all matters of military policy.
You have served as the General of Melos for the past thirty years. You supported a policy of neutrality during the ten years of war between Athens and Sparta. Until Athens attempted to invade your island in 426 BCE, you thought that neutrality was the best way to guarantee that Melos retained its independence. After the Athenian General Nicias tried to invade, you and the Council of Elders agreed to send 15 talents to Sparta to help them defeat the Athenians. You have always believed that if one has a free choice and can live undisturbed, it is sheer folly to go to war.
Now that Athens has come again, the situation looks bleak. Several thousand Athenian troops are on your beaches making preparations for battle. In addition, Athens has your island surrounded by 30 ships. The economy of Melos depends on its ability to trade with the other islands, and a naval blockade could cause your people undue hardship. Although you were able to beat back the prior Athenian invasion, the conditions then were very different. Now that peace has been established with Sparta, Athens can turn its full attention to your little island. The Melian Guard consists of only 500 trained soldiers (although there are about 1,000 men of fighting age who could be trained if there was enough time to do so). And in contrast to Athens’ navy, Melos only has trading ships, a few of which are large enough to be fixed up for battle. Although the Island of Melos does have plenty of wood to build more ships if that ever became necessary.
The Ruler, however, does not share your concerns. He seems convinced that Melos could outlast any siege the Athenians mount. In addition he puts his faith in the bonds of kinship that Melos has with Sparta; he is sure they will come to your rescue if only you can hold out. You are not so sure--would Sparta be willing to jeopardize peace and go to war on behalf of Melos? Even if the answer was yes, Athens would start the siege and many Melians would die of starvation and disease before Sparta could break the siege.
Below is more information on your goals and needs.
Yes--You want Athens to remove her armored troops from your island and end the naval blockade. Although you would prefer the end of the naval blockade in order that your ships can continue to trade, you understand that you may not be able to convince the Athenians to sail home.
You would prefer that Athens agrees to withdraw her armored troops and ships first, before Melos makes any effort to call off Sparta. Since it will be impossible to keep the troops at sea for the entire negotiations, Athens will be forced to unload them at a neighboring island. This will provide Melos with ample warning of an Athenian attack if negotiations fail and plenty of time to send another messenger to Sparta asking for help.
Assuming Athens withdraws her armored troops, you are even willing to tell Sparta to turn her ships around and return home. However, if Athens is unwilling to at least withdraw her troops from your island, then you feel that there is no point to the negotiations and you will be forced to go to war.
ENGAGING IN NEGOTIATIONS: Under what terms will Melos join the League? Your first priority is to maintain the Oligarchy. You also feel strongly about not providing troops or ships to Athens—most League members no longer make such contributions. Although you prefer not paying a yearly tribute, you understand that to avoid contributing troops you may have to pay a yearly tribute.
You want to retain Melos’ 700 year tradition of Oligarchy. You want to protect the right of Melians to choose how to govern themselves without influence from Athens. You know that the people of Melos respect the oligarchy and the solid leadership that it provides. It was to protect these people and their traditions that you became General, and if that means war, so be it.
To avoid war, you recognize you will probably have to compromise with the Athenians. You want to avoid paying more than 10 talents in tribute each year. When you supplied Sparta with aid during the war you managed to pay 15 talents, but that was a one time payment. Besides, the Spartans are Dorian kinsmen who weren’t trying to conquer you as the Athenians are. If the yearly tribute is too high then there won’t be enough money to buy the food you need and the people might starve—Melos’ annual revenue is only 40 talents a year.
You feel it is even more important that Melos retain its strength and not send its men off to fight for Athenian glory. If you are to have any hope of revolting later, then your men can not be dying in foreign wars. Although you may consider providing the League with 3 ships, it would not be hard for Melos to use some of its wood to build warships for Athens—especially since this is a one time contribution. However, it is totally unacceptable to you that any Melians should join the Athenian military if that means they will be forced to travel beyond the neighboring islands. In the end, you are willing to pay a heavy tribute (maybe even 15 talents) if that means that Athens will not insist that Melos supply the customary 200 hoplites (armored troops). Under the circumstances, you believe the people of Melos would prefer this trade—paying additional money, but not having to go to fight for Athens.
Although technically you are to serve as advisor to the Ruler, you know that your age and experience gives you significant clout among the Council of Elders and that the council wields the real power. The Ruler will not be able to make any final decision without your consent.