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Thucydides · History of the Peloponnesian War §5.94.1

Melians Propose Neutrality and Friendship

Passage 594 of 917 · Greek

Summary

The Melians propose to the Athenians that they remain neutral, becoming friends instead of enemies and allies to neither side.

§5.94.1ΜΗΛ. ὥστε [δὲ] ἡσυχίαν ἄγοντας ἡμᾶς φίλους μὲν εἶναι ἀντὶ πολεμίων, ξυμμάχους δὲ μηδετέρων, οὐκ ἂν δέξαισθε;
MELIANS Would you then not accept that we should remain quiet, being friends instead of enemies, and allies of neither side?

Notes

  1. 5.94.1ὥστε — The particle `ὥστε` here introduces an infinitive clause (`ἡμᾶς ... εἶναι`) expressing a "condition" (on condition that) rather than a result, functioning as a conditional complement to the main verb `δέξαισθε`.
  2. 5.94.1μηδετέρων — The genitive plural of the pronoun `μηδέτερος` (neither of the two), functioning as a genitive of association or connection modifying the noun `ξυμμάχους` ("allies of neither side").

Cite this passage

Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War §5.94.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0003.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:5.94.1

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