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Updated: June 27, 2025
Anytos the tanner and politician approached, rehearsing a written speech which he was intending to deliver: "Athens or Sparta, that is the whole question at issue...." Cleon, full of curiosity, interrupted him: "What are you rehearsing, Anytos?" "A speech." "So I heard! Athens or Sparta! Government by the people, or government by donkeys.
One is only justified in flying from superior force, and Xantippe is not a superior force to me." "You are forbidden, on pain of death, to give instruction; that is her work and that of Anytos."
Xantippe seized the opportunity and struck in: "He is not glad, and he does not believe in Cleon." "I know you," concluded Anytos. "I know you philosophers and quibblers! But take care! And now, Alcibiades, come and receive the despised Cleon, who has saved the fatherland!" Alcibiades took Socrates by the hand, and whispered in his ear. "What a cursed mischance! Well, not yet! but the next time!"
But like readily associates with like; therefore Sparta feels attracted to Athens, to Pericles and his followers. Pericles draws Sparta to himself, and we sink...." Anytos, himself an orator, did not like to hear eloquence from others, therefore he cut abruptly through Cleon's speech. "Pericles is ill." "Is he ill?" "Yes, he has fever!" "Really? Perhaps the plague." "Perhaps."
"No, on the contrary. Pericles was the greatest of the Athenians, Phidias the best, Euripides the noblest, Plato the wisest, Alcibiades the most gifted, Protagoras the most acute." "And Aristophanes?" "He is my enemy, though I do not know why. I suppose you have heard of the comedy which he has written about me." "Anytos told me. Have you seen it?" "I saw the Clouds yesterday."
"Athenians!" said Alcibiades in conclusion, "the people have spoken, and there is no appeal. Cleon is elected, and Sparta is done for!" The assembly broke up. Only Cleon remained behind with his friend Anytos. "Anytos!" he said. "I am lost!" "Very probable!" answered Anytos. But Alcibiades went off with Nicias: "Now Cleon is as dead as a dog. Then comes my turn," he said.
This interjected remark of Anytos had crossed Cleon's prolix discourse, and a new hope glimmered before him. "And after Pericles?" he said. "Cleon, of course." "Why not? The man of the people for the people, but no philosophers nor actors. So, Pericles is sick, is he? Listen, Anytos? Who is Nicias?" "He is a grandee who believes in oracles." "Don't attack the oracles.
I have in fact just come here to announce his victory." "He lies," broke in Xantippe. "I jested with the pair. There will be a triumphal procession, then, for Cleon! How fine!" "Socrates," continued Anytos, "are you not glad?" "I am glad that the enemy is beaten." "But not that Cleon has won a victory?" "Yes, it is nearly the same thing."
The people streamed thither, but they did not weep. They only wondered what would now happen, and felt almost glad of a change. Cleon the tanner stood in the orator's pulpit in the Pnyx. Among his most attentive hearers were Alcibiades, Anytos, and Nicias. Cleon said: "Pericles is dead, and Pericles is buried; now you know it.
It is strange that the destiny of Athens is guided by tanners." "The destiny of Athens! Who knows it?" "I, Alcibiades, am the destiny of Athens." "I come after Cleon; Cleon is no more; therefore it is my turn." "Here is Anytos!" Anytos entered: "I seek Alcibiades." "Here I am." "Must I prepare you.... "No, I know." "Prepare you for the honour...." "Have I waited long enough."
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