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History of the Peloponnesian War

§6.39.1-6.39.2

Athenagoras on the Merits of Democracy over Oligarchy

Athenagoras contrasts the definitions of democracy and oligarchy, arguing that democracy is the system that fairly utilizes the diverse capacities of all citizens, and warns the minority and the youth who seek to monopolize power.

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§6.39.1

φήσει τις δημοκρατίαν οὔτε ξυνετὸν οὔτ’ ἴσον εἶναι, τοὺς δ’ ἔχοντας τὰ χρήματα καὶ ἄρχειν1 ἄριστα βελτίστους. ἐγὼ δέ φημι πρῶτα μὲν δῆμον ξύμπαν ὠνομάσθαι, ὀλιγαρχίαν δὲ μέρος, ἔπειτα φύλακας μὲν ἀρίστους εἶναι χρημάτων τοὺς πλουσίους, βουλεῦσαι δ’ ἂν2 βέλτιστα τοὺς ξυνετούς, κρῖναι δ’ ἂν ἀκούσαντας ἄριστα τοὺς πολλούς, καὶ ταῦτα ὁμοίως καὶ κατὰ μέρη καὶ ξύμπαντα ἐν δημοκρατίᾳ ἰσομοιρεῖν.

​Someone might say that democracy is neither intelligent nor fair, whereas those who possess wealth are the best and best fitted to rule. But I say, first, that the word ‘people’ is the name of the whole, while ‘oligarchy’ is only a part; and next, that the rich are the best guardians of wealth, the intelligent can deliberate best, and the many, after hearing, can judge best; and all these, both individually and collectively, have an equal share in a democracy.

§6.39.2

ὀλιγαρχία δὲ τῶν μὲν κινδύνων τοῖς πολλοῖς μεταδίδωσι, τῶν δ’ ὠφελίμων οὐ πλεονεκτεῖ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύμπαντ’ ἀφελομένη ἔχει·3 ἃ ὑμῶν οἵ τε δυνάμενοι καὶ οἱ νέοι προθυμοῦνται, ἀδύνατα ἐν μεγάλῃ πόλει κατασχεῖν. ‘ἀλλ’ ἔτι καὶ νῦν, ὦ πάντων ἀξυνετώτατοι, εἰ μὴ μανθάνετε κακὰ σπεύδοντες,4 ἢ ἀμαθέστατοί ἐστε ὧν ἐγὼ οἶδα Ἑλλήνων, ἢ ἀδικώτατοι, εἰ εἰδότες τολμᾶτε.

​But an oligarchy, while sharing the dangers with the many, not only takes the lion’s share of the benefits, but even robs them of everything and keeps it; which the powerful and the young among you desire, though it is impossible to maintain them in a great city. But even now, O most senseless of all men, if you do not understand that you are rushing into evils, you are either the most ignorant of all Greeks I know, or the most unjust, if you dare to do this knowing it.

Syntax notes4 items
  1. 6.39.1ἄρχειν

    An infinitive of specification (or respect) qualifying the adjective βελτίστους, meaning 'best in respect to ruling' or 'best fitted to rule.'

  2. 6.39.1βουλεῦσαι δ’ ἂν ... κρῖναι δ’ ἂν

    In the indirect discourse (accusative-and-infinitive construction) governed by φημί, the particle ἄν is joined with the infinitives. This represents the potential optative with ἄν (βουλεύσειαν ἄν / κρίνειαν ἄν) in direct discourse, expressing potential ability: '(the intelligent) would/could deliberate best' and '(the many) would/could judge best.'

  3. 6.39.2ἀφελομένη ἔχει

    A periphrastic construction consisting of the aorist participle and the verb ἔχω (often termed schema Chalcidicum). It emphasizes the continuation of the resulting state ('having seized and still keeping it') more strongly than a simple perfect tense.

  4. 6.39.2κακὰ σπεύδοντες

    A supplementary participle serving as the complement to the verb of perceiving/learning μανθάνετε, functioning as indirect discourse: 'if you do not realize that you are rushing into evils.'

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25)urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0003.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.39.1-6.39.2