siege of Melos

E846377

The siege of Melos was an episode in the Peloponnesian War in 416–415 BCE in which Athens besieged, conquered, and brutally subjugated the neutral island of Melos, later immortalized as a stark example of realpolitik and imperialism in Thucydides’ history.

All labels observed (5)

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf event in the Peloponnesian War
military siege
aftermath Athenian settlement of colonists on Melos
enslavement of Melian women and children
execution of Melian adult men
belligerent Athenian Empire
city-state of Melos
cause Athenian attempt to punish Melian neutrality
Athenian desire to secure control of the Aegean
Athenian fear of Spartan influence on Melos
characterizedAs example of Athenian imperialism
example of might makes right doctrine
example of realpolitik
conflict Peloponnesian War
context Athenian attempt to deter other subject allies from revolt
describedBy Thucydides
describedBySource History of the Peloponnesian War
endTime 415 BCE
followedBy Athenian colonization of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos
hasPart Athenian land operations on Melos
Athenian naval blockade of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos

Melian Dialogue
historicalReputation symbol of ruthless imperial power
location Aegean Sea
Cyclades
Melos
narrativeElement Melian Dialogue
notableFor harsh treatment of defeated population
philosophical discussion of power and morality
use as case study in international relations theory
opponent Spartan-aligned Melian elite
participant Athens
Melians
partOf Athenian expansion in the Aegean
Athenian imperial policy
precededBy Athenian demand for Melian submission
result Athenian victory
conquest of Melos by Athens
subjugation of Melos
startTime 416 BCE
studiedIn classical studies
international relations
political philosophy
theme justice versus expediency
neutrality in war
power politics
timePeriod Classical Greece
year 415 BCE
416 BCE

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Referenced by (5)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Melian Dialogue describesEvent siege of Melos
Athenian envoys associatedWith Athenian siege of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos
siege of Melos hasPart Athenian naval blockade of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos
siege of Melos followedBy Athenian colonization of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos
Melus event Siege of Melos
linked to: siege of Melos