The Melian Dialogue: Perennial Insights on Neutrality during a Total War

Harvest of Mars: History and War

"I asked Tom if countries always apologized when they had done wrong, and he says: 'Yes; the littles ones does.'"
- Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad , 1894
In the episode, we take a look at a classic, “The Melian Dialogue” from Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War. It is a famous exchange between powerful Athens, which is engaged in an epic struggle for dominance with its great rival Sparta, and weak Melos, which has declared its neutrality. Even though this event took place over 2500 years ago, history has shown the reasoning behind the actions have been a constant in human history and essential for understanding how and why great powers conduct wars.