The Spark of Rebellion in the Aegean
In the summer of 428 BCE, as grain ripened across the Greek world, a crisis erupted that would test Athenian imperial power to its limits. The island of Lesbos, long considered one of Athens’ most important allies, prepared to throw off Athenian domination. Only Methymna, among Lesbos’ cities, remained loyal to Athens. This revolt came at a precarious moment for Athens, still reeling from plague and engaged in fierce fighting across the Aegean.
The Mytileneans, leaders of the rebellion, had been planning their move for some time. They had been constructing fortifications, building ships, and securing promises of support from the Black Sea region – including archers and grain supplies. Their preparations were nearly complete when their hand was forced by reports from political opponents within Mytilene and neighboring Tenedos, who alerted Athens to the impending revolt. The Athenians, initially skeptical due to Lesbos’ privileged status among their allies, soon realized the gravity of the situation when their envoys failed to persuade the Mytileneans to abandon their plans.
Athenian Response and Initial Campaigns
Athens acted swiftly, diverting a fleet of 40 ships under Cleippides from its planned patrol around the Peloponnese to deal with the rebellion. The Athenians hoped to catch the Mytileneans unprepared during their celebration of the Malian Apollo festival outside the city walls. However, forewarned by a messenger who made an extraordinary three-day journey from Athens, the Mytileneans abandoned their festival plans and rushed to complete their fortifications.
When the Athenian fleet arrived, they found Mytilene prepared for war. After a brief naval engagement where the Mytileneans were quickly driven back to port, both sides agreed to a truce. The Mytileneans sent envoys to Athens to plead their case while secretly dispatching representatives to Sparta to request military support. This dual strategy reflected their precarious position – hoping for reconciliation with Athens while preparing for full-scale war if necessary.
The Siege of Mytilene
As negotiations in Athens proved fruitless, open warfare erupted. The Mytileneans launched an attack against Athenian positions but, lacking confidence in their ability to sustain a campaign, withdrew behind their walls to await promised Spartan reinforcements. The Athenians, encouraged by this retreat, called for additional forces from their allies and established a tight blockade around Mytilene, controlling both harbors with two fortified camps.
Meanwhile, the Spartan response unfolded with characteristic slowness. While promising support, their fleet under Alcidas took months to assemble and sail toward Lesbos. This delay proved crucial, as the Mytileneans, running low on supplies and losing hope of timely Spartan assistance, found their situation increasingly desperate.
The Fateful Debate in Athens
The climax of the Mytilenean drama occurred not on Lesbos but in the Athenian assembly. When news arrived that Mytilene had surrendered, the Athenians initially voted to execute all adult male Mytileneans and enslave the women and children – a brutal punishment meant to deter future rebellions. This decision, championed by the hawkish Cleon, reflected Athenian anger at what they saw as a particularly treacherous revolt by a privileged ally.
However, the next day saw a remarkable reversal. As the gravity of their decision sank in, the Athenians called a second assembly to reconsider. In one of history’s most famous political debates, Cleon argued for maintaining the harsh decree as necessary for imperial security, while Diodotus contended that such extreme measures would only make future rebellions more likely by removing any incentive for timely surrender.
Diodotus’ pragmatic argument prevailed by a narrow margin. A second ship was dispatched in frantic pursuit of the first, which carried the execution order. The drama of this race against time – with the second crew rowing day and night, sustained by barley cakes and wine provided by Mytilenean representatives – ended with the repeal arriving just in time to prevent mass executions.
Aftermath and Historical Significance
While the worst was avoided, Athens still exacted severe punishment. Over 1,000 Mytileneans considered ringleaders of the revolt were executed. The city’s walls were demolished, its fleet confiscated, and its territory divided into Athenian cleruchies (settler plots). This settlement marked a turning point in Athenian imperial policy, demonstrating both the limits of Athenian mercy and the practical considerations that sometimes tempered their harshness.
The Mytilenean revolt and its aftermath reveal several key aspects of the Peloponnesian War:
1. The fragility of Athenian imperial control, even over long-standing allies
2. The strategic importance of naval power and rapid communication
3. The tension between imperial security and moral considerations in Athenian policy-making
4. The often-slow and inefficient response of Sparta to opportunities against Athens
Thucydides’ detailed account of these events, particularly the Athenian debate, provides unparalleled insight into the political psychology of war and empire. The Mytilenean affair stands as a microcosm of the larger conflict – showing how the pressures of war could lead to both extreme brutality and last-minute reconsideration, with fateful consequences for all involved.