Mytilenian Debate Illogical Rhetoric
...ion. He argues that they were treated with the “greatest consideration” and had no reason whatsoever to rebel. What he does not take into account is that they are a subjugated people who are under imperial control. They have never consented to Athens as their governing body and therefore are not “biting the hand which feeds them” like Cleon argues. Next he says, “They made up their minds to put might first and right second.” It is highly ironic that Cleon would accuse the Mytilenians of such action, when it is obvious that he himself is guilty of the same offense. He earlier stated, “Your leadership is based on your superior strength not upon the goodwill of others.” Here justifies leadership based solely on might (superior strength) and Athens can make whatever decisions it pleases simply because they are the most powerful. To accuse Mytilenian of that is highly hypocritical. He also is hypocritical when he accuses the Mytilenians of arrogance. “When great prosperity comes suddenly…to a state it usually breeds arrogance.” Obviously he is guilty of such arrogance as he believes Athens to be of such great power and esteem. Next he makes the illogical statement that the “general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well and look up to those who make no concessions.” First he attempts to make a generalization on human nature that he provides no evidence for. Also his statement is incongruous in the fact that empirical evidence would suggest the exact opposite: People respect those who treat them well and despise those who treat them poorly. His next argument is that the “whole lot of them attacked you together” which was obviously not the case and to punish the guilty with the innocent would be a testament to “guilt by association”. Obviously the nature of the rebellion was such that only a minority took an active role, but he wishes to kill the entire citizenry due to the action of the minority. He states that this will be a deterrent to future cities who wish to revolt but capital punishment has never been adequate...