Thucydides in his ‘History of the Peleponnesian Wars’ lays out the formula for the movement towards genocide caused by collective punishment and general slaughter which does not distinguish between the guilty and the innocent. (Bk.III:36-50)
The Mytelenians had joined in a revolt against Athens opportunistically which so greatly embittered the Athenians that they decreed that their defeated foes should all be put to death and their women and children enslaved. This seemed meet in the heat of the moment and a trireme was despatched to relay that order. However on the following day they bethought themselves and considered the injustice of punishing both the innocent and the guilty in a hetacomb. In the assembly to debate the issue Cleon a man of influence noted for his stern and violent character spoke in favour of the judgment. To reverse our judgment at this point is to project weakness and lability, he urged, and to be moved by rhetoric and paradox. Reprisal should be swift, immediate and final and let the defeated know the folly of resistance against our power.
“To feel pity, to be carried away by the pleasure of hearing a clever argument, to listen to the claims of decency are three things that are entirely against the interests of an imperial power.”
He adds in the conclusion of his argument that:
“For he who has suffered for no good reason is a more dangerous enemy, if he escapes, than the one who has both done and suffered injury.”
Diodotus speaking against Cleon makes the usual points about the promotion of good governance, alliance with the moderate parties and supporting democracy. Good, fine, splendid. Of course all true and worthy and contrary to conventional political realism. However he then appeals to common sense:
“But if you destroy the democratic party at Mytilene who never took any hand in the revolt and who, as soon as they got arms, voluntarily gave up the city to you, you will first of all be guilty of killing those who have helped you, and, secondly, you will be doing exactly what the reactionary classes want most. For now, when they start a revolt, they will have the people on their side from the beginning, because you have already made it clear that the same punishment is laid down both for the guilty and the innocent.”
The Cleon party have their supporters as they watch the results of collective punishment in Gaza.Lets kill them all and put an end to the ‘mowing of the lawn’. Let us be hard and cold, cold as ice, our descendants will thank us for it.
Hamas it is noted has increased its support as you have nothing to lose by joining in the uprising. Die a martyr or as an unfortunate collateral victim.
(Trans: by Rex Warner in Penguin Classics)
