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Melos massacre from "summary" of The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides
The Melos Massacre happened when the Athenian forces invaded the small Greek island of Melos. The citizens were forced to surrender or face death, and in the end, the majority of the island's population was killed. This event serves as a prime example of the brutality and violence of the Peloponnesian War.- The Melos massacre was a bloody event where Spartan forces invaded the small, neutral island of Melos in 416 BC and slaughtered the majority of its male citizens.
- Despite their neutrality, the people of Melos were deemed to be an obstacle between Sparta and success, forcing them into ruthless and violent action.
- This tragedy showed just how little regard militaries held for civilian populations during the Peloponnesian war.
- This heartless slaughter is seen as an example of how ruthlessly power can be wielded without mercy.
- This massacre stands out as one of the most gruesome events of the period and posed questions about the morality surrounding it.
- All of those who took part in the siege against the innocent people of this peaceful place were shocked by the horrors of what had taken place.
- It has been described as a symbol of warfare brutality and needless death that resulted from events like these.
- There are accounts of the soldiers' actions being so brutal that some refused to complete them due to their shocking nature.
