The Restoration of the Athenian Empire

“The Restoration of the Athenian Empire” Our walls are crumbling and our fleet is minute. We here in Athens are unable to collect tribute from other city-states and are often in threat of being attacked. Our fleet is defenseless and weak. The Democratic fraction, propose that we spend our time and hard earned money on the rebuilding of our walls and fleet. That way Athens can dangerously collect tributes from other Greek city-states. The Democrats also would like to commence in hazardous military voyages with our insubstantial navy. Hoping the result brings forth great rewards.
However as a Student of Socrates I strappingly disagree with the Democratic fractions. Yes our walls are collapsing and our fleet feeble but, is it essential to spend our money and time to rebuild. Is it of such importance collecting tributes that we put our great people of Athens at high risk? If we are to lead our few strong navy men to expeditions will they return, and who will protect our city-state. Instead of rebuilding and wasting our valuable time and money, the Students of Socrates propose to enlarge the hoplite divisions. Our foot soldiers will however need equipment in order to protect our great state. We feel that with the money saved from not rebuilding our walls and fleet, our great state can provide these soldiers with the necessary tools. We do not want our walls or fleet to be rebuilt and feel as we should be self-sufficient within our own decaying walls.
We feel that if we were to rebuild the fleet we could potentially be corrupting our great people with foreigner’s ideas and thoughts. As Socrates states “the Democratic fractions will make a tour of other states, where they will hire actors, with their fine persuasive voices, to play their works to large audiences, and sway them over to tyranny or democracy.” As found on Page 306 568c Instead of becoming corrupt we wish to make Athens stronger. Socrates advice would be “to stick to his own way of life”. Anytime you