fandomhigh | War Theory, Thursday, 4th Period

Honor stood in her usual position at the front of the room, again clad in her uniform, and Nimitz perched in his usual position on her shoulder. Behind her, on the screen, a map of ancient Athens and Sparta was visible; on the table to her left, the sign-in sheet waited, along with offerings of coffee, hot chocolate, water, and light snacks. A small tray of celery had been placed on the desk behind her.

She watched the students file in. As everyone settled, she glanced to the clock and offered a smile. "Okay, everyone. Let's be about it. Last week, I assigned the 'Melian Dialogue' from Thyucidides' A History of the Peleponnesian War. While it's not completely historically accurate, it does provide us a good view of ancient thought regarding jus in bello -- or justice in war."

Moving to the map, she encouraged Nimitz to move. He did so and landed on the desk. She then turned her attention back to the class. "What we see is another bipolar system like the Cold War: Two dominant nation-states pushing to expand their spheres of influence. On one side, you have the League of Attica, led by Athens, with a democratic and capitalistic tradition; on the other, you have the Peleponnesian League, led by Sparta, traditionally an oligarchic system, known for its military prowess.

"By the time of the Melian Dialogue, there has been considerable fighting -- off and on -- for most of the recorded history. Prior to the beginning of the war, the Athenians had defeated the Persians, beating them back and gaining more territory for Athens. As they open the dialogue here, they continue to wave that banner as a means of proving their strength. They want only to draw Melos into their power, keeping the city intact. This provides them a means to show their power and continue to subdue other conquered cities who might otherwise revolt; maintaining 'friendship' with the Melians leaves only the impression of weakness.

"The Melians, on the other hand -- despite their alliances with the Spartans -- have remained neutral throughout the war. They also have made no plans to fight either side, and therefore there can be no justice in Athens' attack of their city. To submit to Athenian rule is to lose their independence and freedom. From their point of view, if they yield, they lose; if they fight, there is still the slightest chance they could win."

Here, Honor paused, rubbing the end of her nose with her index finger and then folding her arms across her chest. "The Athenians, of course, think this is ridiculous. It is expedient for both Athens and Melos if the Melians simply surrender; the Melians refuse. 'You are the only men who deem the future to be more certain than the present,' the Athenians reply. '[You] regard things unseen as already realized.'

"Breaking away from negotiations, the Athenian army immediately begins a siege of the town. Melos stood firm for a brief period, but finally fell. Once they did, all men of military age were killed, and the remaining -- women and children -- were sold into slavery." She pursed her lips. "So my question to you is this: Was Athens justified in attacking Melos? Which side would you have taken?

"And, as a corollary: Does might make right, or should might be used for right -- for justice?"

She took a seat among the students and participated in the discussion. As the class drew to a close, she rose from the desk chair, moving back to the front of the room. "That should do it for today. Thank you all for your participation, and I look forward to discussing Sun Tzu with you next week. Dismissed."

[OCD threads ~~coming~~ up! See you in class! =)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You know what to do. And help yourself to the snacks.

Matilda Wormwood

Peter Pevensie

Setsuna Sakurazaki

Pip Bernadette

Isabel Evans

Seely Booth.

Alanna Trebond.

"So my question to you is this: Was Athens justified in attacking Melos? Which side would you have taken?

"And, as a corollary: Does might make right, or should might be used for right -- for justice?"

"I think Athens wasn't obligated to attack them not to mention there was vary little to gain from Melos, and therefore, when they did attack they merely lost the city completely. There was no real gain involved, only lose on both sides."

"What about the Athenian claim that conquering Melos would allow them to help suppress unrest in their other conquered territories? Do you think they gained that, whether or not Melos surrendered?"

"Melos really wasn't fighting so I can't imagine them really making a lot of "unrest.""

"Might ought to be used for justice," Peter replied instantly. "But I don't think I would get to choose a side if I were involved in the situation. I would have either been born an Athenian or a Melian."

Honor smiled. She understood Peter's reasoning -- she was born Manticoran, raised Manticoran and so, the Havenite mentality didn't always make sense to her; she would go to her death defending her home. "The great thing about a theory class, Sir Peter, is that we get to explore the 'might have beens,'" she replied. "If you were Athenian, would you, in good conscience, have been able to sign off on the destruction of a neutral city?"

Peter thought for a long second. "It would depend on what I knew, my Lady. If I knew what I know from the standpoint of history, then no, of course not. It was unjust. But if, as an Athenian, I truly felt that the conquering of Melos was necessary to the survival of the Athenian Empire, then I might feel it was the correct thing to do. However, I would never condone the slaughter and destruction of most of the city."

Sakurazaki pondered over this for a while before offering her raised hand and thoughts.

"Again, as last week, my mind goes immediately to Meiji," she started, very matter-of-fact. "It's a very similar situation, except that Japan was at considerable peace instead of continuous fighting. Japan chose surrender, and, as a result, one could argue that that is why a Japanese nation is still in tact. Should she have chosen to fight, chances are that she would have met the same fate as Melos..."

"However, where is the honour in that? There is no denying the honour in the actions of the Melians by fighting, and I rather feel respect for them in that. Japan afterwards never retained the same respectability as it had in its 'Golden' eras. So, then, the question doesn't seem to me to be more of if might is right. The greater powers of the world will always be right big bullies to the smaller ones....the question then is if the smaller ones should take the beating...or go down in honourable repute by fighting despite the possibility of failure."

"I believe in honour," Sakurazaki concludes with a nod, in case there was any doubt. "It is better to die in honour though in vain than to live in compromise and unfulfilled."

To this, Honor nodded. It fit what she had learned of Japanese culture, and specifically of samurai culture. "Should the Melians have conceded defeat when presented with the Athenians, knowing their strength and their reputation?"

"In my opinion? No. No, they shouldn't have. By fighting back, they did what I would consider to be the right thing. But that is just an opinion."

"Of course they weren't justified in attacking a neutral party without provocation," Seely replied. "Didn't stop them though."

"I agree with Peter, most people don't get to choose with country or whatever they fight for." Alanna considered the second part. "And I believe might should be used for justice, but sometimes that leads to war."

...highly frowned upon, but life happens.

Honor hovered while Mac arrived to clean up.

::headdesks::

So. ready. to. go. home.

*hugs you*

*gives you hot lemonade with honey*

Thank ye.

::rubs eyes sleepily, drinking the warm liquid::

War Theory, Thursday, 4th Period

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