Athens Struggling with Her Allies. A Note on Thucydides 1.77.1

This paper offers a new interpretation of Thuc. 1.77.1: “And in fact, since we were suffering loss, we established tribunals in the law-suits against our allies, related to inter-state agreements, and in Athens on equal laws; for this reason, we are renowned as φιλόδικοι (fond of dragging people into court)”. Thucydides’ broader context (76–77), together with Thuc. 1.99 (cf. Plut. Cim. 11), also helps to clarify which situation the ambassadors from Athens have in mind and what they are complaining about when they talk of the Athenians as suffering loss (ἐλασσούμενοι). The reference is to the allies as having neglected their obligations (e.g., providing ships and men) to the hegemon (Athens), which enabled the hegemon to prosecute those responsible with the charge of breach of agreements.