Athens' Peace with Cassander and Demetrius of Phalerum — Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historica Book 18 (18.74.1–18.74.3), Greek & English

§18.74.1

κατὰ δὲ τὴν Εὐρώπην Πολυπέρχοντος διὰ τὴν ἐλάττωσιν τῆς κατὰ τοὺς Μεγαλοπολίτας πολιορκίας¹ καταφρονηθέντος αἱ πλεῖσται τῶν Ἑλληνίδων πόλεων ἀφιστάμεναι τῶν βασιλέων πρὸς Κάσανδρον ἀπέκλιναν. Ἀθηναίων δὲ μὴ δυναμένων ἀποτρίψασθαι τὴν φρουρὰν μήτε διὰ τοῦ Πολυπέρχοντος μήτε διʼ Ὀλυμπιάδος ἀπετόλμησέ τις τῶν ἐπαινουμένων πολιτῶν εἰπεῖν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ διότι συμφέρει πρὸς Κάσανδρον διαλύσασθαι.

In Europe, since Polyperchon had fallen into contempt because of the failure of the siege against the Megalopolitans, most of the Greek cities revolted from the kings and inclined toward Cassander. Since the Athenians were unable to get rid of the garrison either through Polyperchon or through Olympias, one of the esteemed citizens dared to say in the assembly that it was advantageous to come to terms with Cassander.

§18.74.2

τὸ μὲν οὖν πρῶτον ἐγένετο θόρυβος, τῶν μὲν ἀντιλεγόντων, τῶν δὲ συγκατατιθεμένων τοῖς λόγοις·. ὡς δὲ ἀνεθεωρήθη τὸ συμφέρον, ἔδοξε τοῖς πᾶσι πρεσβεύειν πρὸς Κάσανδρον καὶ τίθεσθαι τὰ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὡς ἂν ᾖ δυνατόν.

At first, indeed, there was a tumult, with some opposing and others agreeing with the words; but when their advantage was reconsidered, it was resolved by all to send ambassadors to Cassander and to settle their relations with him as best as possible.

§18.74.3

γενομένων δὲ πλειόνων ἐντεύξεων συνέθεντο τὴν εἰρήνην ὥστε τοὺς Ἀθηναίους ἔχειν² πόλιν τε καὶ χώραν καὶ προσόδους καὶ ναῦς καὶ τἄλλα πάντα φίλους ὄντας καὶ συμμάχους Κασάνδρου, τὴν δὲ Μουνυχίαν κατὰ τὸ παρὸν κρατεῖν Κάσανδρον, ἕως ἂν διαπολεμήσῃ πρὸς τοὺς βασιλεῖς, καὶ τὸ πολίτευμα διοικεῖσθαι ἀπὸ τιμήσεων ἄχρι μνῶν δέκα,³ καταστῆσαι δʼ ἐπιμελητὴν τῆς πόλεως ἕνα ἄνδρα Ἀθηναῖον ὃν ἂν δόξῃ Κασάνδρῳ· καὶ ᾑρέθη Δημήτριος ὁ Φαληρεύς. οὗτος δὲ παραλαβὼν τὴν ἐπιμέλειαν τῆς πόλεως ἦρχεν εἰρηνικῶς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς πολίτας φιλανθρώπως.

After several meetings had taken place, they concluded peace on the terms that the Athenians should keep their city, territory, revenues, ships, and all other things, being friends and allies of Cassander; but that Cassander should hold Munychia for the present, until he should finish the war against the kings; and that the government should be administered based on property qualifications of at least ten minae; and that they should appoint as single governor of the city an Athenian man whom Cassander should approve. And Demetrius of Phalerum was chosen. Having taken over the guardianship of the city, he ruled peacefully and kindly toward the citizens.

Syntax notes3 items

18.74.1τῆς κατὰ τοὺς Μεγαλοπολίτας πολιορκίας
The prepositional phrase κατὰ τοὺς Μεγαλοπολίτας (against the Megalopolitans) modifies the noun πολιορκίας. The noun ἐλάττωσιν, which literally means 'diminution' or 'decrease,' here contextually refers to the 'failure' or 'withdrawal' of the military operation (the siege).
18.74.3ὥστε τοὺς Ἀθηναίους ἔχειν
The series of infinitive phrases (ἔχειν, κρατεῖν, διοικεῖσθαι, καταστῆσαι) introduced by the conjunction ὥστε defines the specific 'terms' or 'stipulations' of the peace treaty (τὴν εἰρήνην), rather than mere results. The subject of each infinitive is indicated by an accusative (τοὺς Ἀθηναίους, Κάσανδρον, τὸ πολίτευμα).
18.74.3ἀπὸ τιμήσεων ἄχρι μνῶν δέκα
An expression indicating the transition to a restricted democracy (oligarchy) in Athens. Although the preposition ἄχρι typically means 'up to,' here it denotes the 'minimum threshold' of property qualification (ten minae, or 1000 drachmae) required for citizenship. Thus, it is construed as 'based on property qualifications of at least ten minae.'

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25)urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0060.tlg001.humanitext-grc6:18.74.1-18.74.3