The Athenian Debate After the Third Embassy

Thucydides reports on the final Athenian debate after the third embassy. Many speeches were made in favor of the embargo being a hindrance to peace Arguing that it needed to be withdrawn. ButThucydides dismissed their views and only reports the speech of paracles which probably reflects his own analysis of the situation. Paracles said he would have gladly yielded to this if the complaint was submitted to arbitration and it was legally found that he was in the wrong. The Spartans wanted to promote themselves once again as the liberators of the Greeks against these imperialistic aggressive Athenians who were destroying Everybody's autonomy.